Images were recorded on September 4, 2023, marking a significant milestone
BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) made a remarkable announcement on Thursday, unveiling captivating images taken by the camera aboard the nation's pioneering Sun mission, 'Aditya-L1.' Among the images released, one, in particular, showcases a distinctive 'selfie' of the spacecraft. In addition, the space agency shared breathtaking snapshots of both the Earth and the Moon captured during the mission.
The images prominently feature the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) and Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUIT) instruments on board Aditya-L1. These images were recorded on September 4, 2023, marking a significant milestone in India's space exploration endeavors.
Notably, 'Aditya L1,' the country's inaugural solar mission, was launched successfully from the Sriharikota Space Centre just a few days ago. This mission holds the promise of unraveling long-standing mysteries related to the Sun and is a pivotal addition to ISRO's impressive portfolio of space missions.
Aditya-L1 Mission:
— ISRO (@isro) September 7, 2023
?Onlooker!
Aditya-L1,
destined for the Sun-Earth L1 point,
takes a selfie and
images of the Earth and the Moon.#AdityaL1 pic.twitter.com/54KxrfYSwy
According to ISRO, Aditya-L1 holds the distinction of being the first space-based observatory dedicated to the comprehensive study of the Sun. The spacecraft is currently on a remarkable journey, having traveled approximately 15 lakh kilometers from Earth over the course of 125 days, roughly equivalent to four months. Its ultimate destination is the Langregian point 'L1,' which is considered the closest point to the Sun where a stable orbit can be maintained.
At this vantage point, Aditya-L1 will undertake a series of groundbreaking observations and studies. The mission's primary objectives encompass investigating critical aspects of the Sun, including its heat, solar wind, solar earthquakes or 'coronal mass ejections' (CMEs), and their potential impact on near-Earth space weather, among other crucial phenomena.The release of these remarkable images marks a significant step in the Aditya-L1 mission, as it endeavors to deepen our understanding of the Sun and its influence on our solar system.
