Total Solar Eclipse 2024: ISRO Aditya-L1 Track Sun Celestial Event

Rare total solar eclipse of 2024 to occur on April 8-9, but not visible in India. Indian solar probe Aditya-L1 to observe.

Get ready to mark your calendars for the total solar eclipse of 2024, a rare celestial event that is set to captivate the world. Scheduled to occur from 9:12 pm on April 8 to 2:22 am on April 9, 2024 Indian time, this mesmerizing phenomenon will reach its peak at 10:08 pm, with the moon completely obscuring the sun for a brief four minutes.

Regrettably, this awe-inspiring spectacle will not be visible to Indians, as it can only be witnessed along a 185-kilometre stretch spanning Mexico, the US, and Canada. However, India will not be left out entirely, as the country's very own solar probe Aditya-L1 will be diligently observing the sun's behavior during the eclipse.

Launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on September 2, 2023, the Aditya-L1 is equipped with six cutting-edge instruments, including a visible emission line coronagraph and an ultraviolet imaging telescope. Positioned at its Lagrange Point, approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, the probe will have an unobstructed view of the sun throughout the eclipse, allowing it to study the changes in solar radiation and their impact on space.

The total solar eclipse is a mesmerizing event where the moon aligns perfectly between the Earth and the Sun, completely blocking out the Sun's light. The Aditya-L1's observations will provide valuable insights into the sun's photosphere, chromosphere, and ultraviolet spectrum during this rare occurrence.

While Indians may miss out on witnessing the total solar eclipse firsthand, the Aditya-L1's pioneering observations promise to shed light on the mysteries of the sun during this extraordinary celestial event. So, even if you can't witness the eclipse in person, rest assured that India's eye in the sky will be watching closely.