India’s first space-based solar observatory, Aditya L1, is always studying the Sun. However, it will miss today’s total solar eclipse, which will be seen in large parts of North America. This eclipse is rare, and many events, like skydiving and special flights, are being organized in the USA for people to watch this special event.
For the first time in nearly 100 years, the western and northern parts of New York State will see a total eclipse. The path of totality, a small area where the Moon completely covers the Sun, passes through cities and has caused excitement across the USA.
NASA explains that on April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will happen across North America, going over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth, completely covering the Sun’s face. The sky will get dark, like it’s dawn or dusk.
NASA is sending special research planes to follow the shadow during the eclipse and conduct various experiments. Although the entire event will take several hours, the most exciting part, when daytime becomes nighttime, will only last about four minutes when it’s completely dark.
India’s Aditya L1 satellite won’t see the event. It’s not a mistake by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), but because the satellite’s position allows it to have a clear view of the Sun all year round. Scientists intentionally placed it there to avoid any interruptions caused by eclipses.
“Aditya L1 won’t observe the solar eclipse because the moon is positioned behind the spacecraft at Lagrange Point 1 (L1). The eclipse visible from Earth isn’t significant from that spot,” said ISRO chairman S. Somanath.
“The Indian Aditya L1 spacecraft orbits around a special spot called Lagrange point 1 (L1), which is about 1.5 million km away from Earth. Being in this orbit allows the satellite to always have a clear view of the Sun without any interruptions like eclipses. This is helpful for studying solar activity and its impact on space weather as it happens.”
“The Aditya L1 satellite weighs about 1,500 kilograms and is a scientific robot in space that constantly observes the Sun. It’s India’s first mission solely focused on studying the Sun, especially during its active phases. The project cost around ₹400 crore.”
“In fact, the Aditya L1 satellite makes its own fake solar eclipse to study the Sun better using its special tool, the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC). Mr. Somanath explains, “We create a solar eclipse in the coronagraph by blocking the light from the Sun’s disk.”
Dr. Dipankar Banerjee, a scientist who studies the Sun at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP) in Bengaluru, explains that the spacecraft allows scientists to observe and analyze the Sun’s corona from space, similar to how it appears during a total solar eclipse observed from the ground.
Dr. Banerjee will be doing some experiments on the ground in Dallas, Texas, USA, during today’s eclipse, and the data collected will be compared with the information gathered by Aditya L1 during the same time.
Nigar Shaji, the Project Director for the Aditya L1 satellite from ISRO, says that the eclipse will not cause any changes in the Sun.
“During the eclipse, the Sun remains unaffected. The VELC spectroscopic channels will be used in special observation modes to study the coronal structures. This will be a joint campaign to compare with ground-based observations,” Ms. Shaji explained.
“Aditya L1 has seven tools to study different parts of the Sun, including its surface, atmosphere, and outer layers. Four of these tools directly observe the Sun, while the other three study particles and magnetic fields at the Lagrange point L1. This helps scientists understand how solar activities affect space around our solar system.”
NASA warns that looking directly at the Sun, except during a total solar eclipse when the Moon fully covers it, is unsafe without proper eye protection. Using cameras, binoculars, or telescopes to view the Sun without a solar filter can instantly damage your eyes.