Prelims Perspective: What needs to be learned?

  • Objective and mission details- Lagrange Points
  • Sun- Layers and phenomena like sunspots,solar flares.

Mains Perspective: Notes need to be prepared

  • Space Technology (GS III- Science and Technology)
  • Solar System (GS I – Geography)

What needs to be known?

  • Aditya-L1 Mission
    • What is it?: It is a solar observatory mission launched by ISRO to L1 Lagrange point using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) XL.
    • Objective: To study layers of sun, solar wind and Coronal Mass Ejection, flares.
  • Lagrange Points
    • What is it?: Lagrange points are special positions in space where the gravitational forces of two large orbiting bodies, such as the Sun and the Earth, balance each other out.
  • Terms Associated with the Sun
    • Solar Wind: The solar wind is made of plasma (ionised atoms), a stream of energised, charged particles, primarily electrons and protons, flowing outward from the Sun at speeds as high as 900 km/s and at a temperature of 1 million°C.
    • Solar Flares: Solar flares are magnetic storms which appear to be very bright spots with a gaseous surface eruption. 
    • Coronal Mass Ejection (CME): A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is a massive burst of plasma and magnetic field released from the Sun’s outer atmosphere (the corona) into space.

Source: The Hindu