In News: Chandrayaan-2 Payload Records First Observation of Sun’s Effect on the Moon
Background:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s Chandrayaan-2 mission, launched in 2019, comprises an orbiter, lander (Vikram), and rover (Pragyan). The orbiter carries seven payloads, including the Chandra’s Atmospheric Composition Explorer-2 (CHACE-2), designed to study the lunar exosphere. On May 10, 2024, a series of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) from the Sun provided a rare opportunity to directly observe the Sun’s effect on the Moon.Key Features:
- First Direct Observation: CHACE-2 recorded an increase in total pressure of the dayside lunar exosphere due to CME impact.
- Quantitative Findings: The total number density of neutral atoms/molecules increased by more than an order of magnitude, consistent with prior theoretical models.
- Mechanism: Solar coronal mass impacts knocked atoms off the lunar surface, enriching the lunar exosphere temporarily.
- Mission Infrastructure: Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter enables remote sensing and real-time monitoring of lunar space weather phenomena.
Key Issues:
- Lander Communication Failure: The Vikram lander lost communication during its soft landing attempt, highlighting challenges in precise lunar landings.
- Extreme Space Weather: CME events can temporarily alter the lunar environment, posing challenges for future lunar bases.
Implications:
- Scientific Insight: Provides empirical evidence to validate models of lunar exosphere dynamics and space weather effects.
- Lunar Base Planning: Essential for designing scientific outposts accounting for extreme solar events.
- Space Exploration Strategy: Enhances understanding of surface-exosphere interactions, critical for long-term lunar missions.
Applications:
- Space Weather Monitoring: Real-time monitoring of CME effects on the Moon.
- Lunar Habitat Design: Informing engineering safeguards for human habitats against solar events.
- Future Missions: Supports orbiter-based studies for planetary atmospheres and exospheres.
Way Forward:
- Continue orbiter observations through upcoming solar activity cycles.
- Integrate data from CHACE-2 with other ISRO missions for holistic understanding of lunar and planetary space weather.
- Plan robust communication protocols for future landers to prevent data loss.
Institution: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- Established: 1969
- Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Present Head: V. Narayanan (Chairman)
- Functions: Development and operation of satellites, spacecraft, lunar and planetary missions, and human spaceflight programmes; expand India’s space research capabilities.
Updated - 19 Oct 2025; 07:13 PM | News Source: The Hindu