CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KoSO) is a solar observatory in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. Established in 1899, it is one of the world's oldest solar observatories, having been at the forefront of solar research for nearly 125 years. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru currently operates the observatory, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary.
History
The need for a solar observatory in India was initially identified in the late nineteenth century, following the Great Drought of 1876-1878. The Madras Observatory, founded by the British East India Company in 1792, had been recording astronomical data, but a specialized solar observatory was judged necessary to investigate the link between solar activity and India's monsoon patterns.
The British government approved the creation of a Solar Physics Observatory in 1893 as part of the meteorological budget. The site selection process, chaired by Charles Michie Smith, a professor at Madras Christian College, ultimately chose Kodaikanal as the best location due to its pleasant weather and clear skies.
The observatory's foundation stone was placed in 1895 by Lord Wenlock, the Governor of Madras. Regular observations began on March 14, 1901, with Charles Michie Smith as the first director of KoSO.
Instruments And Observations
Over time, KoSO has housed various notable instruments, including-
The Bhavnagar Telescope- a 16-inch Newtonian/Cassegrain telescope, was the largest in India from 1888 to 1968.
Spectroheliograph- Used to analyze the Sun's chromosphere and prominences.
H-alpha Telescope- Designed for full-disc imaging of the Sun.
White Light Active Region Monitor (WARM)- Allows simultaneous observation of the photosphere and chromosphere.
The observatory produced significant contributions to solar physics, including-
The Evershed effect was discovered by John Evershed, who was the director of KoSO from 1911-1922.
Regular sunspot sightings and measurements of solar radiation.
Spectroscopic observations of the solar chromosphere and prominences.
Digital Archive
KoSO has a massive library of solar data, dating back over a century. In recent years, the observatory has embarked on a digitization project to preserve and make available its valuable solar image collection.
The digital repository holds almost 1.48 lakh digitized solar photos, totaling 10 terabytes of data.
The collection contains 33,500 white-light photographs of sunspots and thousands of additional solar images taken every day from the early twentieth century.
KoSO's digital archive is one of the world's most comprehensive and long-running solar data collectors, covering more than 75% of the period.
Current Status And Research
Today, KoSO remains India's foremost institution for solar research. The observatory is outfitted with cutting-edge instruments and actively participates in a variety of national and international collaborations.
Some of the current study areas at KoSO are-
Solar activity and its influence on space weather
Analysis of solar flares and coronal mass ejections
Investigation of the solar magnetic field and its evolution.
Solar-terrestrial interactions and their impact on Earth's climate.
The observatory also serves an important function in training and education, organizing workshops and offering research opportunities to students and scientists from India and outside.
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