SSC Selection Post 2025 PYQ — Question 5

Correct Answer

Aditya-L1

Explanation

Aditya-L1 is India’s first dedicated space mission to observe the Sun. Launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), it is positioned in a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1), which is approximately 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth. This strategic location allows the spacecraft to observe the Sun continuously without being hindered by eclipses or occultations, providing real-time data on solar activities and their effect on space weather.

Key Points

The mission carries several scientific payloads designed to study the solar atmosphere, specifically the corona, the photosphere, and the chromosphere. By studying the dynamics of the Sun, researchers aim to gain deeper insights into solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and the heating mechanisms of the solar corona, which remains a significant puzzle in solar physics.

Important Questions and Answers

Question: Why is the L1 point considered an ideal location for solar observation?

Answer: It provides a clear, uninterrupted view of the Sun, unaffected by eclipses or significant gravitational occultations.

Question: What is the primary focus of the payloads aboard Aditya-L1?

Answer: Studying the Sun's upper atmospheric layers, including the corona and the solar wind.