AstroSat

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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