Udaipur Solar Observatory has operationalised a unique telescope 'Multi Application Solar Telescope' (MAST) for detailed study of solar activities which could facilitate space weather predictions in the future. The observatory is situated on an island in the middle of Fatehsagar lake.
What makes MAST unique ?
Unlike other telescopes, MAST is capable to capture three-dimensional aspects of the solar magnetic fields further enabling the scientists to get a better understanding of the solar flares and eruptions taking place in such twisted magnetic fields.
Facts about MAST:
1. The MAST is located in the Udaipur Solar Observatory which comes under the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), an autonomous unit of the Department of Space.
2. The project was under by Union Ministry of Science and Technology and was funded by Department of Space (DoS).
3. The telescope was inaugurated by Professor U.R Rao, Chairman of Physical Research Laboratory
4. The USO is situated on an island like land form in Lake Fatehsagar of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. The site is ideal for the observatory as it provides 250 days of sunlight in a year.
5. The lake will help provide the optimum temperature for the lens and also decreases the turbulence in the air mass. Considering the amount of magnification involved, lesser turbulence will result in improved image quality.
6. The telescope's main motive is to capture high resolution 3D images of the Sun's surface and observing phenomena like solar flares. It will also be used to study seismic effects of solar flares.
7. MAST was designed in 2004 and its optical elements were fitted in 2008. In 2013, it was installed at the Udaipur Solar Observatory.
8. The telescope will be capable of capturing high resolution images even during the daytime which includes images of planetary movements besides the sun's surface.
9. The lens used in the telescope is based on the optical and mechanical system of Belgium.
10. The rear part of the telescope was built by ISRO and the front part was developed by the observatory itself.
ISRO operationalises India's biggest telescope 'MAST' in Udaipur - ISRO operationalises India's biggest telescope 'MAST'...
What makes MAST unique ?
Unlike other telescopes, MAST is capable to capture three-dimensional aspects of the solar magnetic fields further enabling the scientists to get a better understanding of the solar flares and eruptions taking place in such twisted magnetic fields.
Facts about MAST:
1. The MAST is located in the Udaipur Solar Observatory which comes under the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), an autonomous unit of the Department of Space.
2. The project was under by Union Ministry of Science and Technology and was funded by Department of Space (DoS).
3. The telescope was inaugurated by Professor U.R Rao, Chairman of Physical Research Laboratory
4. The USO is situated on an island like land form in Lake Fatehsagar of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. The site is ideal for the observatory as it provides 250 days of sunlight in a year.
5. The lake will help provide the optimum temperature for the lens and also decreases the turbulence in the air mass. Considering the amount of magnification involved, lesser turbulence will result in improved image quality.
6. The telescope's main motive is to capture high resolution 3D images of the Sun's surface and observing phenomena like solar flares. It will also be used to study seismic effects of solar flares.
7. MAST was designed in 2004 and its optical elements were fitted in 2008. In 2013, it was installed at the Udaipur Solar Observatory.
8. The telescope will be capable of capturing high resolution images even during the daytime which includes images of planetary movements besides the sun's surface.
9. The lens used in the telescope is based on the optical and mechanical system of Belgium.
10. The rear part of the telescope was built by ISRO and the front part was developed by the observatory itself.
ISRO operationalises India's biggest telescope 'MAST' in Udaipur - ISRO operationalises India's biggest telescope 'MAST'...
