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INDUS honours the remarkable INDUS women and brilliant minds shaping the future of solar physics with their dedication, expertise, and global impact. Happy International Women's Day to these inspiring Indian women!
To know more about INDUS women, Read here.
Dr Nandita Srivastava
“However what has made this journey cherishable is my undying passion for solar physics, my positive outlook, and rich research experience and of course support from my family. I now see that many young women are pursuing careers in solar physics. I wish many more young women can take up solar physics as career and contribute to this field.” Read More
DR Piyali Chatterjee
““Nevertheless, if you take pleasure in and are good at what you do, then you will be unstoppable. Listen to everyone, but do only what your instincts tell you to, and be prepared for consequences; will be my advice to young women embarking on this journey.” Read More
Dr Anusha L S Bhasari
“Although I was fortunate not to face major obstructions as a woman pursuing a research career, there were several critical junctures where I had to make difficult sacrifices to dedicate myself fully to research. Every decision carries both positive and negative consequences.” Read More
Dr Nitin Yadav
“One invaluable lesson I learnt during this period was the importance of not hesitating to seek help when needed and reciprocating that help when others sought assistance.” Read More
Dr Aishawnnya
Sharma
Sharma
“...This experience has undoubtedly shaped me into a more confident and evolved individual.” Read More
ASI 2024: The Largest Gathering of INDUS so far
The Astronomical Society of India (ASI) is the primary association of Indian researchers from different fields of Astronomy and Astrophysics. It was established in 1972, and since then, it has been actively promoting research from all branches of astronomy. Therefore, the ASI 2024 meeting provided an excellent platform for many INDUS members to gather and meet in person for the first time! ASI 2024 paved the opportunity for INDUS to formally introduce itself as a community of solar physicists in front of a larger audience of Indian researchers.
The oral presentation of Team INDUS was held as a part of the outreach session on the last day of the meeting. INDUS representatives illustrated and explained the activities of Team INDUS with various statistics on gender equity, demographic representation, branches of solar physics that the INDUS members are working on, and their high-standard research output, etc. Multiple valuable suggestions were well received by the community. Following the session, the community received several new membership applications. In fact, INDUS is contented to note that discussions were incited among Indian researchers from other domains of astronomy to take up a similar initiative as that of INDUS.
Magnetic Triumph: Aditya-L1's Magnetometer Boom Successfully Deployed!
The Aditya-L1 satellite's 6-meter magnetometer boom, deployed 132 days post-launch in the Halo orbit at Lagrange point L-1, houses two advanced fluxgate magnetometer sensors. Positioned at 3 and 6 meters from the spacecraft body, these sensors mitigate interference, ensuring precise interplanetary magnetic field measurements. Constructed from carbon fiber reinforced polymer, the boom's articulated mechanism unfolds via spring-driven hinges, guided by a patented Kevlar closed control loop. A thermal cutter-based release system triggers deployment, confirmed by telemetry data. With an observed deployment time of 9 seconds, within the predicted range, all indicators remained nominal, marking a successful milestone in space exploration.
Successful Insertion of Aditya-L1 into Halo Orbit
In a monumental achievement, ISRO has accomplished the Halo-Orbit Insertion (HOI) of its solar observatory, Aditya-L1. Positioned in a periodic orbit 1.5 million km from Earth, Aditya-L1's unique halo orbit ensures continuous monitoring of the Sun. The success highlights ISRO's precision in executing complex maneuvers, including trans-L1 injection. This accomplishment signifies India's prowess in space exploration, with Aditya-L1 poised to unveil unprecedented insights into solar dynamics. Congratulations to ISRO for this remarkable milestone, underscoring its commitment to advancing space science and exploration.
SUIT's Spectacular Achievement: Capturing the Sun in Unprecedented Detail
SUIT's successful capture of full-disk images provides an unparalleled view of the Sun's photosphere and chromosphere. With images spanning wavelengths from 200 to 400 nm (excluding Ca II h), scientists can delve into the intricate details of the Sun's dynamic features. On December 6, 2023, SUIT unveiled its capabilities by capturing light science images using eleven different filters. These images reveal a treasure trove of information, including sunspots, plage, and quiet Sun regions, offering scientists unprecedented insights into the Sun's behavior.
The images showcase the collaborative efforts of leading institutions, including the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune, ISRO, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), and others. Together, they have spearheaded the development of SUIT, propelling India into the forefront of solar research. SUIT's observations hold the key to advancing our understanding of the magnetized solar atmosphere. By studying the dynamic coupling of the Sun's atmosphere, scientists aim to place tight constraints on the effects of solar radiation on Earth's climate.
HEL1OS Marks a Milestone in Aditya-L1’s Solar Exploration !
In a monumental stride in solar exploration, the High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS), a pivotal instrument on board the Aditya-L1 mission, has etched the first-ever high-energy X-ray glimpse of solar flares. This momentous event unfolded during its maiden observation period from 12:00 to 22:00 UT on October 29, 2023. Commissioned just days before, on October 27, 2023, HEL1OS swiftly embarked on its mission, capturing the impulsive phase of solar flares. Currently, the instrument is in the phase of meticulous fine-tuning of thresholds and calibration operations, ensuring its precision in unraveling the mysteries of the Sun.
Aditya-L1 Mission: Journey to Sun-Earth L1 Begins
The Aditya-L1 mission, India's ambitious venture into space-based solar research, is making incredible progress on its path to the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1). The Trans-Lagrangean Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) maneuver, a critical operation, was executed successfully. This maneuver ensured that the spacecraft is now on a trajectory leading it to the Sun-Earth L1 point, a vital location for studying the Sun and its interactions with the Earth. In approximately 110 days, the spacecraft will be artfully inserted into an orbit around L1, setting the stage for a wealth of solar observations.
Stay tuned for more updates from the frontiers of space exploration!
Watch INDUS video on Aditya-L1 here.
Aditya-L1 Soars Beyond Earth's Grasp: Another ISRO Triumph!
Aditya-L1 continues its remarkable journey, venturing over 920,000 kilometers away from Earth. It has now transcended the boundaries of Earth's gravitational pull and is steadily advancing towards the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1). This achievement marks the second instance where ISRO has propelled a spacecraft beyond Earth's sphere of influence, with the first being the groundbreaking Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM).
Stay tuned for more updates from the frontiers of space exploration!
Watch INDUS video on Aditya-L1 here.
Aditya-L1 Mission embarked on its Journey to L1 point!
In an exciting development for solar science enthusiasts, the Aditya-L1 spacecraft has embarked on its celestial odyssey towards the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1). This momentous journey commenced on September 18, 2023, and holds the promise of unraveling some of the most profound mysteries of our nearest star (Image Courtesy: PRL and ISRO).
Watch INDUS video on Aditya-L1 here.
Aditya-L1 Mission Achieves Launch Success!
We are excited to announce the successful launch of the Aditya-L1 mission, carried out flawlessly by PSLV-C57. The satellite is now precisely in its intended orbit. Aditya-L1, India's pioneering solar observatory, has embarked on its mission to study the Sun from the Sun-Earth L1 point. This marks a significant milestone in our pursuit of solar science. Stay tuned for further updates as we unravel the mysteries of our closest star.
Watch INDUS video on Aditya-L1 here.
Aditya-L1 Mission: Launch Date Announced!
Exciting news awaits the scientific community as India's Aditya-L1 mission takes a significant step forward. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has officially announced the launch date for Aditya-L1, which is set to embark on a journey to study the Sun. Scheduled for launch on 02 Sep, 2023 at 11:50 AM from the the Sriharikota space port, this pioneering mission aims to provide crucial insights into the Sun's outermost layer, the corona, and its magnetic activity. Equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, Aditya-L1 will observe various solar phenomena, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections, to advance our understanding of their impact on space weather. This launch heralds a new chapter in India's space exploration, further solidifying its reputation as a growing player in solar and heliophysics research.
Chandrayaan-3: India's Ambitious Lunar Mission
Watch our video on INDUS Members' reaction after watching Vikram Lander soft landing on the Moon here! Video Link.
Building on the successes of its predecessors, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 mission is specifically aimed at achieving a successful landing on the Moon's surface. With a focus on enhancing our understanding of the Moon's topography and surface composition, Chandrayaan-3 is equipped with advanced technologies and instruments. Chandrayaan-3's successful landing on the Moon's surface marks a monumental achievement for India's space exploration efforts. This achievement not only showcases the prowess of Indian space scientists and engineers but also represents a significant step forward in advancing our knowledge of the Moon and its geology. The data and insights gathered from Chandrayaan-3's mission will undoubtedly contribute to our understanding of lunar evolution and provide valuable insights for future space exploration endeavors. INDUS congratulations ISRO and the entire team behind this remarkable achievement!
Exciting News: Aditya-L1 Embarking on a Solar Journey - Launching Soon!
Aditya-L1 is India's first mission to study the Sun from space. It will be placed in a particular orbit around a point between the Earth and the Sun, called Lagrange point 1 (L1), about 1.5 million km away. This orbit lets it see the Sun all the time without any interruptions. Aditya-L1 has seven payloads onboard to observe the Sun's atmosphere.
Team INDUS is delighted by the news of the upcoming launch of Aditya-L1. It extends heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), India's space agency. We gratefully acknowledge the active contributions of INDUS members in developing various payloads onboard Aditya-L1. Stay tuned for more details about Aditya-L1 and its first light in upcoming issues of the INDUS newsletter. Read more about Aditya-L1 mission here.
Embarking on a Journey of Discovery: INDUS Takes Flight
INDUS has officially launched its website and unveiled the inaugural issue of the INDUS newsletter. Explore a treasure trove of resources carefully curated to serve our community's needs. Your journey with INDUS starts here.
Watch INDUS Launch Event Video here!