Doppler Velocity Images of the Solar Corona from Aditya-L1's VELC

Why in the News

According to a report in The Hindu dated 20 October 2026, scientists of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have prepared Doppler velocity images of the activities taking place in the solar corona from data of the VELC (Visible Emission Line Coronagraph) payload of India's first solar mission, Aditya-L1.

Scientific Significance (as per the Report)

• The report, citing scientists, says these images are expected to yield information about the propagation of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in the Sun-Earth direction, which according to them was not available so far.
• The huge plasma released from a CME can affect near-Earth space, so estimating the direction of their propagation is important.
• The Doppler effect in light waves - on the same principle by which the sound of an approaching and receding train's whistle seems to change to a person standing on a platform. The related research has been published in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series.

Static Reference (as per ISRO)

Aditya-L1 is India's first solar observatory mission, launched on 2 September 2023 aboard PSLV-C57, and in January 2024 it was placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point L1 of the Sun-Earth system. (It is not parked at the L1 point but revolves around it in a halo orbit.) VELC is its principal payload.

Exam Utility

Application of the Doppler effect, VELC, CME, halo orbit and L1 - Prelims science and technology.

Prelims Style: Practice Questions

Sources

• The Hindu (20 October 2026): https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/indias-first-solar-mission-aditya-l1-generates-doppler-velocity-images-of-the-solar-corona/article71603276.ece
• ISRO - Aditya-L1 (mission page): https://www.isro.gov.in/Aditya_L1.html

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