Aditya-L1’s Spectacular Journey: Stunning Images of Earth and Moon Enroute to the Sun
Aditya-L1, India’s first space-based mission to study the Sun, has captured some breathtaking images of the Earth and the Moon as it travels towards its destination. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) shared these images on its social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday.
Aditya-L1 is a solar observatory that will orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point 1 (L1), a point where the gravitational forces of the Sun and the Earth balance each other. The mission will study various aspects of the Sun, such as its corona, chromosphere, photosphere, and solar wind.
The mission was launched on August 15, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, using a GSLV Mk III rocket. It will take around 109 days to reach the halo orbit around the L1 point, which is about 1.5 million km from Earth.
On its way to the L1 point, Aditya-L1 took a selfie and clicked images of the Earth and the Moon using its onboard cameras. The images show the stunning beauty of our planet and its natural satellite from a unique perspective. The images also demonstrate the health and functionality of the spacecraft and its instruments.
Aditya-L1 carries seven payloads, including four remote sensing payloads and three in-situ payloads. The remote sensing payloads will observe the Sun in different wavelengths and measure its electromagnetic radiation. The in-situ payloads will measure the magnetic field and the particles in the solar wind.
The mission aims to provide valuable insights into the solar phenomena that affect life on Earth, such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and geomagnetic storms. It will also contribute to the understanding of the origin and evolution of the Sun and the solar system.
Aditya-L1 is expected to operate for at least five years in the halo orbit around the L1 point. It will send back data and images to the ISRO’s ground stations for analysis and dissemination. The mission will enhance India’s capabilities and reputation in space science and exploration.
