ETtech Explainer: Aditya-L1 anticipated to reach Sun-Earth Lagrangian Point on Jan 6, why is this significant?

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S Somanath recently said India’s first space-based solar observatory Aditya L1 is anticipated to reach its destination — the Sun-Earth Lagrangian Point L1, on January 6. It was launched from the Sriharikota spaceport on September 2.

Why is this important?

The Sun-Earth Lagrangian Point L1 is 1.5 million km from Earth, and Aditya L1 was expected to reach its destination after a 125-day journey. It will study the Sun’s outer atmosphere without any interference from eclipses or external disruptions. Data collected around L1 would provide insights into the origin, acceleration and anisotropy of solar wind and space weather phenomena.