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AstroSat

Santhosh Kumar 29/11/2023

AstroSat mind map
Context
India's first multi-wavelength space observatory
Launched on September 28, 2015
Recent milestone
Detected 600th Gamma-ray Burst (GRB) as of November 2023
Each GRB indicates massive star death or neutron star merging
Mission Overview
Objective
Study cosmic sources across electromagnetic spectrum
Focus on high-energy processes in binary star systems and neutron stars
Development
Follow-up to Indian X-ray Astronomy Experiment (IXAE, 1996)
Approved by ISRO in 2004
Launch Details
From Satish Dhawan Space Centre
Using PSLV-C30 (XL) rocket
Placed into 650 km, 6° inclination orbit
Scientific Objectives
Core focus areas
Multi-wavelength monitoring of cosmic source intensity variations
X-ray sky monitoring for new transients
Hard X-ray and UV band sky surveys
Spectroscopic studies in broad range
Variability studies of X-ray sources
Specific studies
Periodic and non-periodic phenomena in X-ray binaries
Pulsations in X-ray pulsars
Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) intensity variations
Time-lag studies in X-rays and UV/optical radiation
X-ray transients detection and study
Instruments and Capabilities
Payload Instruments
Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT)
Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT)
Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC)
Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager (CZTI)
Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM)
Charged Particle Monitor (CPM)
Instrument Functions
Multi-wavelength imaging and spectroscopy
High-resolution imaging in ultraviolet and X-ray
Timing and spectral studies of X-ray sources
Polarization measurements in X-rays
Monitoring for transient X-ray events
Ground Support and Data Management
Command and Control
Managed by ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC)
Based in Bangalore, India
Data Handling
Daily data gathering capacity of 420 gigabits
Data download during visible orbits over Bangalore
Major Achievements and Discoveries
Notable events detected
Supernova explosions forming black holes
Rare phenomena like blue stragglers
Coronal explosions on Proxima Centauri
X-ray polarisation variations in Crab Pulsar
Observation of galaxy clusters and rare X-ray outbursts
Detection of extreme-UV light from distant galaxies
Future Prospects
Continued observations and discoveries
Potential for new insights into cosmic phenomena

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Categories: Space

Tags: 28+29.11.2023, Newsbits

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