KSO is a remarkable institution with a storied history of solar observation and research. Here’s an overview of the observatory and its significance:
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory: A Century of Solar Gazing
●Establishment: Founded in 1899, KSO is operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and is located in the Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu, India.
●Contributions:The observatory is known for its significant contributions to solar physics, including the discovery of the Evershed Effect in 1909.
● Archives: KSO has one of the world’s most comprehensive solar data archives, with daily images of the sun dating back over a century.
●Digitization Project:An ongoing project aims to digitize and preserve the observatory’s vast collection of solar observations, ensuring their availability for future research.
●Collaborations: KSO collaborates with other observatories globally, sharing valuable solar and astronomical data for research purposes.
●Aditya-L1 Spacecraft:The Indian Space Research Organisation’s Aditya-L1 mission complements KSO’s data by observing the sun from a vantage point 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.
FAQs About Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
●What is the purpose of KSO?
KSO is dedicated to the study of solar phenomena and contributes to our understanding of solar variability and its impact on Earth’s climate.
●What discoveries have been made at KSO?
One of the key discoveries is the Evershed Effect, which pertains to radial gas flows across sunspots.
●What is the digitization project at KSO?
The project involves scanning over 200,000 glass plate images dating back to 1904, preserving them for future research.
●How does KSO contribute to global solar research?
By sharing its extensive solar data with other observatories, KSO plays a crucial role in the global study of solar activity.
●What is the significance of the Aditya-L1 spacecraft?
Aditya-L1 is designed to study the solar atmosphere and will provide year-round solar observations, enhancing the data collected by KSO.
The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory continues to be a beacon of solar research, inspiring new generations of astronomers and contributing to our understanding of the sun’s influence on our planet
SRIRAM's
Share:
Get a call back
Fill the below form to get free counselling for UPSC Civil Services exam preparation
