Indian scientists have achieved an important milestone in solar research, reporting the first major findings from the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) aboard India’s Aditya-L1 mission. The solar mission, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in September 2023, is India’s first dedicated solar observation project positioned at the Lagrange Point 1 (L1). This breakthrough is a key step toward understanding the Sun’s magnetic activities and their impact on space weather.

Details of the First Observed Solar Event

Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru have reported that they were able to pinpoint the exact onset of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on July 16 by using the VELC instrument. This marks a significant accomplishment for the mission. Prof. R Ramesh, a senior professor at IIA and the principal investigator for the VELC payload, emphasised that this is the first science result for ISRO’s solar mission. As per multiple reports, the team closely observed the CME as it formed near the solar surface and gained insights into the Sun’s corona, which may aid in modelling solar eruptions.

A New Approach to Solar Observations

The VELC, uniquely designed and developed by IIA in collaboration with ISRO, is currently the only active coronagraph in space capable of observing the corona so close to the Sun’s surface. Unlike most instruments that capture CMEs after they move farther away from the Sun, VELC allows scientists to observe these eruptions right from their initial stages. Dr V Muthupriyal, an astrophysicist with IIA, stated that spectroscopic observations provided by VELC offer new opportunities to analyse CME dynamics in unprecedented detail.

Impact of Solar Cycle and Future Research Prospects

With the Sun approaching a solar maximum in its 11-year activity cycle, the frequency of CMEs is expected to increase significantly. Continuous monitoring of such solar events is crucial to understand space weather, which can affect satellite communications and other space-dependent technologies. According to Prof. Ramesh, the data collected will be vital for developing future predictive models, as the current phase of Solar Cycle 25 intensifies. Aditya-L1 is poised to gather invaluable data that will support scientists in predicting solar activities and mitigating their impact on space weather.

A team of astronomers, using data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Chandra X-ray Observatory, has identified a black hole consuming matter at a record-breaking rate in a young galaxy. Named LID-568, this black hole is found in a galaxy thought to have formed only 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang. Observing such rapid growth in the early universe, scientists are beginning to understand how supermassive black holes might have formed more quickly than previously thought.

A New Observation Technique

The research was led by Dr. Hyewon Suh from the International Gemini Observatory at NSF NOIRLab. The research team found LID-568 within a group of galaxies that shine brightly in X-ray wavelengths, despite being faint in the visible spectrum. Their findings relied on a unique approach. The research points that rather than using traditional slit spectroscopy, the team used JWST’s integral field spectrograph in the Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) to capture data from each pixel within the target area. This method enabled precise positioning of the black hole, revealing large outflows of gas around it.

Dr. Emanuele Farina, co-author and NOIRLab astronomer, commented on the strategy, saying that this technique was “essential to capture the faint signals from LID-568.” These outflows suggest that LID-568 could be growing through intense, short-lived episodes of rapid feeding.

Implications for Black Hole Growth

Dr. Julia Scharwächter, also from NOIRLab and a co-author of the study, noted that the black hole’s growth rate exceeds the Eddington limit, which defines how quickly a black hole can accumulate mass. Observing LID-568’s intense consumption of matter has opened a window into how black holes could grow beyond expected limits.

The team’s findings may help to explain how black holes grew so large in the universe’s early stages. By continuing studies with JWST, the researchers hope to gain more insights into the forces behind this rapid growth and understand the factors enabling black holes to surpass established theoretical limits.

India has delayed its inaugural astronaut mission under the Gaganyaan programme to 2026, pushing the timeline a year beyond the original schedule. The decision, announced by S. Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), reflects a commitment to safety in light of recent aerospace industry setbacks. According to Somanath, India’s first manned mission will be preceded by multiple uncrewed test flights, with the first trial scheduled to launch in December 2023. The series of tests will validate crucial systems needed for a successful crewed mission, making way for India to join the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China in independently sending astronauts into space.

Safety First: ISRO’s Cautious Approach

ISRO’s extensive testing procedures and the addition of a fourth uncrewed test flight were outlined by Somanath during a recent talk in New Delhi. He cited the Boeing Starliner’s technical difficulties as a reminder of the importance of rigorous safety checks. ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, also known as H1, aims to carry one or two astronauts to low Earth orbit, roughly 400 kilometres above the planet. Somanath shared that to avoid any similar mishaps, ISRO has undertaken a systematic approach, testing complex technologies developed entirely in-house.

Preparing for the Final Crewed Launch

To support the mission, the ISRO has conducted a number of preparatory tests, including the evaluation of emergency escape mechanisms and recovery systems. The G1 flight, expected later this year, will see a humanoid robot named Vyomitra onboard to test re-entry, parachute deployment, and a controlled splashdown in the Bay of Bengal. Following G1, three more uncrewed flights will complete the testing phase.

An Ambitious Training Regime for Astronauts

The programme’s crew has been undergoing intensive training in both India and overseas. Shubhanshu Shukla, a test pilot from the Indian Air Force and one of the astronauts in training, is set to join a mission to the International Space Station, working with Axiom Space in Houston. With former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson as mission commander, Shukla’s experience will include operations such as navigation and docking – critical skills for the Gaganyaan mission’s success.

Government Funding Boosts ISRO’s Gaganyaan Efforts

The Indian government has recently increased Gaganyaan’s budget, adding 111 billion rupees to the project to support the final testing and crew training phases. With all modules now moving to ISRO’s Sriharikota spaceport, India’s first crewed space flight is moving closer to realisation. This development reflects the government’s commitment to advancing India’s space capabilities and ensuring the mission is conducted with the highest safety standards.