Question

The first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray, optical and ultraviolet spectral bands simultaneously is

• A. Chandrayaan-2
• B. Gaganyaan (D)
• C. Astrosat
• D. Cartosat

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Astrosat

AstroSat

• AstroSat is the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously.
• The payloads cover the energy bands of Ultraviolet (Near and Far), limited optical and X-ray regime (0.3 keV to 100keV).
• One of the unique features of AstroSat mission is that it enables the simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of various astronomical objects with a single satellite.
• AstroSat with a lift-off mass of 1515 kg was launched on September 28, 2015 into a 650 km orbit inclined at an angle of 6 deg to the equator by PSLV-C30 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

The scientific objectives of AstroSat mission are:

• To understand high energy processes in binary star systems containing neutron stars and black holes;
• Estimate magnetic fields of neutron stars;
• Study star birth regions and high energy processes in star systems lying beyond our galaxy;
• Detect new briefly bright X-ray sources in the sky;
• Perform a limited deep field survey of the Universe in the Ultraviolet region.