Polarimetry Mission – XPoSat

Blog Credit: Trupti Thakur

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Polarimetry Mission – XPoSat

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is likely to usher in the New Year, with the launch of its first polarimetry mission XPoSat likely on January 1, according to persons in the know of the matter.

It will become the country’s third space-based observatory after the recently launched solar mission Aditya-L1 and AstroSat launched in 2015.

The mission is meant to study the “polarisation” of astronomical X-rays, which can provide insights into the processes that resulted in its emissions.

It is a method of studying astronomical phenomenon, in addition to imaging them, studying the fluctuations in light from a source, and the energy radiated by the celestial bodies. The observatory can help in understanding the emission mechanism from sources such as black holes and neutron stars (collapsed core of a massive star).

The planned life of the mission is five years.

It will carry two playloads – POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) – in a low earth orbit.

US space agency NASA had launched its polarimetry satellite Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) in 2021. It takes measurements in the energy range of 2-8 keV. What this essentially means is that IXPE and XPoSat will be complementary and can provide coordinated observations of phenomena across a wide energy spectrum of 2-30KeV, the ISRO said.

After the opening of the Indian space sector to private players, there has been an increase in the number of scientific missions launched by ISRO. In 2023, Chandrayaan-3 landed on the South Pole of the Moon and ISRO sent a satellite hurtling towards the L1 point between the Earth and the Sun to allow uninterrupted observations.

In addition to the two missions, ISRO also undertook five other missions, including the first completely successful flight of SSLV, a navigational satellite for the Indian GPS-like service, and a commercial mission on board its heaviest LVM3 vehicle.

With the anticipated launch of its pioneering polarimetry mission, XPoSat, slated for January 1. This mission marks a significant milestone as the country’s third space-based observatory, joining the ranks of the recently launched solar mission, Aditya-L1, and the 2015-launched AstroSat.

 Polarimetry for Astronomical Insights

The primary objective of the XPoSat mission is to study the “polarisation” of astronomical X-rays. This unique approach provides valuable insights into the processes that lead to X-ray emissions from celestial bodies. Polarimetry, as a method of studying astronomical phenomena, complements traditional imaging methods and involves analyzing fluctuations in light and energy radiated by celestial bodies.

 Unraveling Celestial Mysteries

The observatory aims to enhance our understanding of the emission mechanisms from intriguing sources such as black holes and neutron stars—the collapsed cores of massive stars. By studying polarisation, XPoSat is poised to contribute to unraveling the mysteries of these cosmic phenomena.

 Payloads and Mission Lifespan

XPoSat carries two payloads in its low Earth orbit:

1. POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays):Designed to make observations in the 8-30 keV range, POLIX is expected to observe around 40 bright astronomical sources of various categories during its planned five-year mission lifespan.

POLIX is designed to make observations in 8-30 keV. It is expected to observe about 40 bright astronomical sources of different categories during the planned lifetime, according to the ISRO.

 

2. XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing):Utilizing spectroscopy, XSPECT studies the electromagnetic spectrum generated by different matter, further enhancing the mission’s observational capabilities.

XSPECT uses a method of observation called spectroscopy that studies the electromagnetic spectrum generated by different matter.

 

Complementary Collaboration with NASA’s IXPE

The XPoSat mission complements NASA’s polarimetry satellite, Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), launched in 2021. While IXPE focuses on measurements in the energy range of 2-8 keV, XPoSat extends this spectrum to 2-30 keV. The collaboration between these two satellites enables coordinated observations, offering a comprehensive view across a wide energy spectrum.

 

ISRO’s Growing Scientific Endeavors

The XPoSat launch comes in the wake of ISRO’s increased scientific missions following the opening of the Indian space sector to private players. In 2023 alone, ISRO achieved notable milestones, including the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s South Pole and the deployment of a satellite to the L1 point between the Earth and the Sun for uninterrupted observations. Additionally, the organization undertook five other missions, showcasing its commitment to advancing space exploration and research.

 

 

 

Blog By: Trupti Thakur