ACTION PUNJAB NEWS Desk: ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) is all set to launch the X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat), its first dedicated polarimetry mission, to study black holes. At 9.10 a.m., the satellite will be launched on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
XPoSat’s mission is to look into the intricate dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources under extreme conditions. Two cutting-edge scientific payloads designed for low-Earth orbit exploration are aboard the spacecraft.
POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) is the primary instrument in the task of measuring polarimetry parameters such as degree and angle of polarisation. POLIX, which operates in the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin, is poised to significantly contribute to our understanding of X-ray emissions from celestial bodies.
The XPoSat also houses the XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload, which is designed to provide spectroscopic data in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV, providing valuable insights into the emission mechanisms of various astronomical sources such as black holes, neutron stars, active galactic nuclei, pulsar wind nebulae, and others.
While existing space-based observatories provide spectroscopic and timing data, the addition of polarimetry measurements adds two critical dimensions: the degree and angle of polarisation. This additional layer of data is an excellent diagnostic tool, with the potential to solve the mysteries surrounding astronomical emissions.
According to the space agency, the XPoSat mission is poised to overcome the limitations of current theoretical models by combining polarimetric observations and spectroscopic measurements. Researchers hope to overcome the challenges posed by the complex physical processes governing celestial body emission mechanisms by doing so.
