Published: 4th Mar, 2024
Context
The Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) payload onboard the Aditya-L1 has been operational and performing nominally. Its advanced sensors have successfully detected the impact of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) including those that occurred recently.
What is PAAPA?
- PAPA is an energy and mass analyzer designed for in-situ measurements of solar wind electrons and ions in the low energy range.
- It has two sensors:
- the Solar Wind Electron Energy Probe (SWEEP, measuring electrons in the energy range of 10 eV to 3 keV)
- the Solar Wind Ion Composition Analyser (SWICAR, measuring ions in the energy range of 10 eV to 25 keV and mass range of 1-60 amu)
- The sensors are also equipped to measure the direction of arrival of solar wind particles.
Important Observations
- The SWEEP and SWICAR sensors on PAPA-Aditya-L1 are currently making continuous observations of solar wind electrons and ions in the default mode, demonstrating that they are performing as per the design in all modes of operations.
- The observations made by PAPA emphasise its effectiveness in monitoring space weather conditions and its capability to detect and analyse solar phenomena.
Aditya-L1
- The launch of Aditya-L1 by PSLV-C57 rocket was successfully accomplished by ISRO.
- Aditya-L1 spacecraft carried seven payloads to study the Sun — four to observe the light from the Sun and the remaining three to measure in situ parameters of the plasma and magnetic fields.
- Aditya-L1 was placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian Point 1 (L1), which is 1.5 million km from the Earth in the direction of the Sun.
- It revolves around the Sun with the same relative position and hence can see the Sun continuously.
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