Solar Wind Ion Spectrometer (SWIS)

Context: Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that the Solar Wind Ion Spectrometer (SWIS), the second component of the Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX) within Aditya L1, has become operational.

About Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX):

• ASPEX is a scientific instrument dedicated to studying solar wind particles, which are charged particles emitted by the sun and impact the space environment.
• ASPEX comprises two cutting-edge instruments – the Solar wind Ion Spectrometer (SWIS) and STEPS (SupraThermal and Energetic Particle Spectrometer). 
  • The STEPS instrument became operational on September 10, 2023. 
  • The SWIS instrument was activated on November 2, 2023.
    • Solar Wind Measurements: SWIS, with a 360° field of view, successfully measured solar wind ions, including protons and alpha particles.

More About Aditya L1 Mission, 

News Source: Livemint

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