Chennai
Indian Space Research Organisation on Sunday released a graph of the temperature variation on lunar surface with increase in depth measured by the ChaSTE payload onboard Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander module. The thermal probe of the Vikram lander recorded how temperature varies at surface, near surface and deeper on the lunar surface.
According to the space agency, Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment measured the temperature profile of the lunar topsoil around the south pole, to understand the thermal behaviour of the Moon’s surface.
“Here are the first observations from the ChaSTE payload onboard Vikram lander. ChaSTE measures the temperature profile of the lunar topsoil around the pole, to understand the thermal behaviour of the moon’s surface,” ISRO said in an update on ‘X’, formerly Twitter. The payload has a temperature probe equipped with a controlled penetration mechanism capable of reaching a depth of 10 cm beneath the surface. Speaking about the graphic illustration, ISRO scientist B H M Darukesha said: “We all believed that the temperature could be somewhere around 20 degree centigrade to 30 degree centigrade on the surface but it is 70 degree centigrade. This is surprisingly higher than what we had expected.” Scientist Darukesha explained, “When we go two to three centimetres inside the Earth, we hardly see two to three degree centigrade variation whereas there (in Moon), it is about 50 degree centigrade variation. This is something interesting.”
The temperature dips to minus 10 degree Celsius below the lunar surface, the senior scientist said, adding that the variation is from 70 degree Celsius to minus 10 degree Celsius.
India on Wednesday scripted history as ISRO’s ambitious third Moon mission Chandrayaan-3’s Lander Module (LM) touched down on the lunar surface.
Solar mission in Sept 1st week: Somanath
Thi’puram: ISRO Chairman S Somnath said the maiden Aditya L1 solar mission will be launched in the first week of September.“Aditya L1 satellite is ready. It has reached Sriharikota and is connected to PSLV. The next aim of ISRO and the country is its launch. The launch will be in the first week of September,” he told reporters at the airport here.
The date will be announced in the next two days, Somnath said. After the launch, Aditya L1 will travel to its stipulated point in 120 days after going to an elliptical orbit, he added.
Aditya L1 will be the first space-based Indian observatory to study the Sun, Somnath said and added that the mission will allow scientists to study solar activities and their impact on space weather in real time.
‘India capable of Moon, Mars, Venus travel’
India has the capability to travel to the Moon, Mars and Venus, said Indian Space Research Organisation chairman S Somanath.
The ISRO chief further said that the ISRO is ready to fulfill the vision put forth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“India has the capability to travel to the Moon, Mars and Venus but we need to increase our confidence. We need more investment and the space sector must develop and by this, the whole nation should develop, that is our mission. We’re ready to fulfil the vision that was given to us by PM Modi,” Somanath said while speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday night.
