Which payload monitors solar wind at L1?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. ASPEX.
The Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX), onboard India's Aditya-L1 satellite, is the payload designed to monitor the solar wind at the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1). It measures the speed, density, and temperature of ions and electrons (protons and alpha particles) to analyze coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
- ASPEX Components: Consists of two instruments: the Solar Wind Ion Spectrometer (SWIS) (100 eV to 20 keV) and the Supra Thermal and Energetic Particle Spectrometer (STEPS) (20 keV to 20 MeV).
- Key Function: It observes the solar wind's composition and behavior, providing critical data on space weather impacts.
- Another Payload: The PAPA (Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya) payload also monitors solar wind electrons and ions at L1.
- Operational Status: ASPEX began operational measurements in late 2023.