Tag: Astronomical research

‘Earth-like’ Planet Nine could be hiding in our solar system: research

There may be another world lurking between the orbital lines of our solar system.

Astronomers in Japan have published their theory of an “Earth-like planet,” dubbed Planet Nine, that’s hiding in plain sight just a few billion miles behind Neptune.

Published last month in the Astronomical Journal, researchers Patryk Sofia Lykawka and Takashi Ito, of Japan’s Kindai University and the country’s National Astronomical Observatory, respectively, peered deep into the Kuiper Belt to search for signs of planetary bodies.

The Kuiper Belt is a massive ring composed of interstellar objects such as dwarf planets, asteroids, carbon masses and icy volatile elements like methane and ammonia. The celestial scrapyard sits just past Neptune’s orbit and circles the sun like anything else in our solar system.

Lykawka and Ito’s findings point to another significant object within the Kuiper Belt with “peculiar” properties, such as gravitational influence over other objects, to suggest its planetary status.

A highly detailed illustration of our solar system.
shooarts – stock.adobe.com

“We predict the existence of an Earth-like planet. It is plausible that a primordial planetary body could survive in the distant Kuiper Belt as a Kuiper Belt planet, as many such bodies existed in the early solar system,” they wrote in their report, according to Earth.com.

While some astronomers remain unconvinced that such a planet exists, this new work isn’t the first to posit the existence of a ninth planet in our cosmic community.

Prior research has led to similar theories of an extra planet in the far reaches of our solar system, with Lykawka and Ito indicating a much more massive body than previously proposed, and at a much shorter distance from where we sit.

Source: https://nypost.com/2023/09/04/earth-like-planet-nine-could-be-hiding-in-our-solar-system/

After Moon and Sun, ISRO readies XPoSat mission to enhance understanding in Astronomy

X-ray Polarimeter satellite (XPoSat) in deployed configuration

In a groundbreaking move aimed at advancing scientific comprehension in the field of astronomy, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced its latest venture, XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite). Following the successful launches of the Chandrayaan-3 Moon lander and Aditya-L1 missions, ISRO is now turning its focus towards unlocking the mysteries of bright astronomical X-ray sources under extreme conditions.

XPoSat marks India’s inaugural dedicated polarimetry mission, with the mission’s core objective being the study of various dynamics within bright astronomical X-ray sources. Positioned in low Earth orbit, the spacecraft will carry two essential scientific payloads designed to collect invaluable data.

The primary payload, known as POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), is tailored to measure the polarimetry parameters, encompassing the degree and angle of polarisation. It will specifically target the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin. Alongside POLIX, the XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will play a crucial role by offering spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV.

ISRO emphasises that the emission mechanisms observed in various astronomical sources, including black holes, neutron stars, active galactic nuclei, and pulsar wind nebulae, stem from complex physical processes that challenge our understanding. While spectroscopic and timing data collected from space-based observatories provide significant insights, the precise nature of these emissions remains enigmatic, as acknowledged by ISRO officials.

Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/after-moon-and-sun-isro-readies-xposat-mission-to-enhance-understanding-in-astronomy-396622-2023-09-02

Aditya L1 launch: ISRO to perform first Earth-bound firing today. Top updates

Aditya-L1 mission: Aditya-L1 will stay Earth-bound orbits for 16 days, during which it will undergo five manoeuvres to gain necessary velocity for its journey.

A combo of photos shows the launch of India’s first solar mission ‘Aditya-L1’ at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Saturday, (PTI)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said the first Earth-bound firing to raise Aditya-L1’s orbit is scheduled at around 11:45 am on Sunday, a day after the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle or PSLV-C57.1 rocket carrying the orbiter lifted off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota.

The successful launch of ISRO’s first solar mission came a week after its historic lunar landing mission — Chandrayaan-3.

Top updates on Aditya-L1 solar mission
1. “Aditya-L1 started generating the power. The solar panels are deployed. The first Earth-Bound firing to raise the orbit is scheduled for September 3 around 11:45 hours,” the ISRO said on Saturday.

2. The Earth-bound manoeuvres will involve the rockets firing and some adjustments to angles, as required. How this will work can perhaps be understood by taking the example of when a person is on a swing — to make the swing go higher, a pressure (by shifting body weight) is applied when in the phase when the swing is coming down towards the ground. In Aditya-L1’s case, once it gains enough velocity, it will slingshot around to its intended path towards L1.

3. The PSLV has placed the Aditya-L1 satellite precisely into its intended orbit, the agency said.

4. Aditya-L1 will stay Earth-bound orbits for 16 days, during which it will undergo five maneuvres to gain the necessary velocity for its journey, the ISRO said.

5. Subsequently, Aditya-L1 will undergo a trans-Lagrangian1 insertion manoeuvre, marking the beginning of its 110-day trajectory to the destination around the L1 Lagrange Point, it said.

6. Once arrived at the L1 point, another manoeuvre will bind Aditya-L1 to an orbit around L1, a balanced gravitational location between the Earth and the Sun. The satellite will spend its whole mission life orbiting around L1 in an irregularly shaped orbit in a plane roughly perpendicular to the line joining the Earth and the Sun.

7. According to the agency, the Aditya-L1 mission is expected to reach the observation point in four months. It will be placed in a halo orbit around Lagrangian Point 1 (or L1), which is 1.5 million km away from the Earth in the direction of the Sun.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/aditya-l1-mission-isro-to-perform-first-earth-bound-firing-today-top-updates-101693705798940.html

ISRO’s Aditya-L1 solar mission 2023: Date, launch time and other details of the spacecraft here

ISRO sets launch date for Aditya-L1 solar mission to study the Sun’s dynamics and space weather

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) announced the launch date of its next Aditya-L1 solar mission following the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission to the Moon on August 28.

Aditya-L1 mission launch date and time
This mission, India’s first solar endeavour, will study the Sun and is scheduled for lift-off on September 2 at 11:50 am from the Sriharikota spaceport. On August 30, ISRO said that its Aditya-L1 mission, designed to study the Sun, has completed launch rehearsals and internal checks.

Aditya-L1 spacecraft
The Aditya-L1 spacecraft is equipped for remote observations of the solar corona and in-situ observations of the solar wind at L1(Sun-Earth Lagrange point), located approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. This mission is of great significance as it will provide insights into the Sun’s dynamics and its impact on space weather.

The L1 point is a unique location in space where the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth create regions of enhanced attraction and repulsion. Spacecraft positioned at these Lagrange points can efficiently maintain their orbits with minimal fuel consumption, according to NASA.

Aditya-L1 is a fully indigenous effort with the involvement of national institutions, including the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Pune.

Aditya-L1 mission to use PSLV-C57 rocket for launch

The mission will utilise a PSLV-C57 rocket for its launch. Aditya-L1 carries seven specialised payloads designed to observe different aspects of the Sun, including the photosphere, chromosphere, and corona, across various wavelengths.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/science/isros-aditya-l1-solar-mission-2023-date-launch-time-and-other-details-of-the-spacecraft-here-11693457034012.html

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