This Post Is Recently Updated on Dec 12, 2023 @ 23:54 pm by TBB Desk
Despite their cost being exponentially higher (by approximately 10,000 times) than standard professional cameras, space telescopes surprisingly share many fundamental principles with terrestrial photography when capturing images of distant celestial phenomena.
A prime example of this is the ongoing Aditya-L1 mission, an ambitious project by ISRO aimed at studying the Sun’s outer atmosphere. This mission has achieved a significant milestone with the release of the first images of the Sun in the 200-400 nanometre ultraviolet wavelength range, captured by the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT). This instrument is one of seven aboard the Aditya-L1 spacecraft, each contributing uniquely to our understanding of solar dynamics.
Accompanying these striking images, ISRO also revealed a fascinating video showing the telescope’s shutter mechanism in action — a process remarkably akin to that found in everyday cameras.
Shutter Dynamics in Space and Terrestrial Photography:
- The shutter, a critical component in cameras, controls the amount of light entering the device. Its operation, often measured in ‘shutter speed’, is vital in determining image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.
- The video illustrates a segment of the Aditya-L1 spacecraft, adorned with gold-like thermal insulation, opening its hatch (acting as SUIT’s shutter) to capture solar light across various non-visible wavelengths. The subsequent closure of the shutter marks the end of the light capturing phase.
Scientific Achievements and Future Prospects:
- On December 6, SUIT successfully captured its first series of scientific images using 11 different filters, each providing a unique perspective of the Sun. These images offer invaluable insights into the photosphere and chromosphere, the inner and middle layers of the Sun’s atmosphere.
- The imagery reveals key solar features such as sunspots, plages, quiet Sun regions, and plasma filaments.
- ISRO highlights the significance of SUIT observations in understanding the dynamic interaction between the magnetised solar atmosphere and its implications, particularly in constraining the effects of solar radiation on Earth’s climate.
This milestone in space exploration not only enriches our scientific understanding but also underscores the fascinating parallels between space and terrestrial imaging technologies.
