World’s highest telescope launched in Ladakh to explore cosmic mysteries
The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) observatory, the world’s highest imaging Cherenkov telescope, has been inaugurated in Hanle, Ladakh, at an elevation surpassing 4,300 metres. This facility is set to advance India’s role in space research and cosmic-ray studies, marking a new milestone in high-energy astrophysics. The observatory aims to explore cosmic phenomena such as supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts.
Inauguration by Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty
Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, officially inaugurated the MACE observatory. The event, held during the DAE’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, included the opening of commemorative plaques, highlighting the telescope’s significance in India’s scientific community. According to Dr Mohanty, the observatory’s capabilities will bolster international collaborations and elevate India’s role in multimessenger astronomy.
Indigenous Development by BARC
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) constructed the MACE observatory in collaboration with the Electronics Corporation of India Limited, along with other Indian industry partners. As Asia’s largest imaging Cherenkov telescope, the facility underscores the strength of indigenous engineering and technological capability in India. Dr S M Yusuf, Director of the Physics Group at BARC, emphasized that the MACE telescope would greatly enhance India’s expertise in space and cosmic-ray research.
Future Prospects and Community Involvement
Additional Secretary Ajay Ramesh Sule addressed the local community and students, encouraging them to consider careers in science and technology, especially within the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR), where the MACE observatory is located. The event also included the release of a pictorial compilation capturing the journey of the MACE project, along with a felicitation ceremony for Hanle’s village leaders, school headmaster, and lama of the Hanle Gompa, honouring their support for the initiative.
Aiming for Global Research Contributions
The MACE telescope’s advanced imaging capability will contribute to global high-energy gamma-ray observation. It will help in expanding understanding of cosmic phenomena. Dr Mohanty highlighted that this observatory will help align India’s research with international efforts, positioning the nation as a leader in high-energy astrophysics.
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Helium-3, a rare isotope formed during the early solar system, may be locked within Earth’s solid core, as indicated by recent research. This discovery could provide insights into how quickly the planet was formed. Unlike helium-4, which is commonly produced through radioactive decay, helium-3 originates from the primordial gas cloud that shaped the solar system. While traces of this isotope have been detected in volcanic hotspots and mid-ocean ridges, the mechanism behind its retention for billions of years remains uncertain. Given helium’s volatile nature, most of it was expected to escape Earth’s mantle due to tectonic activity or the giant impact that led to the formation of the Moon.
Helium and Iron Interaction at Core Conditions
According to the study published in Physical Review Letters, researchers at the University of Tokyo led by Kei Hirose examined whether helium could mix with iron under conditions mimicking Earth’s core. Using a diamond-tipped anvil, the team subjected iron and helium to extreme pressures ranging from 50,000 to 550,000 times the atmospheric pressure at Earth’s surface. As per reports, the samples were heated to temperatures between 727 and 2,727 degrees Celsius before being depressurised and analysed at cryogenic temperatures to prevent helium escape. Findings indicated that solid iron could incorporate up to 3.3 percent helium, suggesting the isotope may remain trapped in the core over long periods.
Potential Impact on Earth’s Formation Timeline
Peter Olson, a geophysicist at the University of New Mexico, told that these results confirm helium’s compatibility with Earth’s solid core. However, he noted that only 4 percent of the core is solid, with the majority existing in a liquid state. Further research is needed to determine whether helium-3 could be similarly retained in the liquid portion. Olson also highlighted the significance of this discovery in dating Earth’s formation. If helium-3 was incorporated into the core, it suggests the planet formed rapidly within a few million years. A slower formation process spanning 100 million years would likely have resulted in minimal helium retention.
For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2025 hub.
The scheduled test flight of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 8, which was expected to take off from the company’s Starbase facility in Texas on March 3, has been postponed due to last-minute technical issues. The launch was planned within a window starting at 6:30 p.m. ET with a mission to test various aspects of the rocket’s performance, including booster recovery and satellite deployment. SpaceX has not yet announced a new launch date, but updates are expected soon. The flight was set to be the eighth major test for Starship, which is designed to be the most powerful rocket ever built.
Starship’s Mission and Test Objectives
As per reports, the flight plan, Starship was expected to launch atop its Super Heavy booster, which was intended to return to the launch pad and be caught by the “chopstick” arms of the tower. The upper stage of the rocket was set to release four mock versions of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites on a suborbital trajectory before splashing down in the Indian Ocean approximately 66 minutes after liftoff. A similar test conducted on January 16 with Flight 7 saw the successful recovery of the booster, but the upper stage failed due to a propellant leak, leading to an explosion before it could complete its mission.
NASA’s Interest and Future Developments
NASA has selected Starship as the lunar lander for the Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon in the coming years. The vehicle is also being developed for deep-space missions, including potential crewed journeys to Mars. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has indicated that future iterations of Starship may be even larger than the current model, which stands at 123 metres. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to grant approval for up to 25 Starship launches in 2025, marking a significant step toward the rocket’s operational use.
For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2025 hub.
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