NASA’s PUNCH Mission: Studying the Sun’s Outer Atmosphere and Solar Winds | Important for UPSC

📢 NASA PUNCH Mission 2024:
NASA is set to launch the PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) Mission on February 27, 2025. This mission aims to uncover the mysteries of the Sun’s outer atmosphere (corona) and solar winds.

🔹 Why is the PUNCH Mission Important?

• It is the first advanced mission dedicated to studying the Sun and creating 3D imaging of solar winds and corona.
• It will help in predicting solar storms and understanding their impact on space weather.

🌞 Key Highlights of the PUNCH Mission

✅ Objectives of the PUNCH Mission:

• Understanding the origin of solar corona and solar winds.
• Predicting solar storms that can impact Earth.
• Analyzing the effects of space weather on Earth and satellites.

✅ How Will It Study the Sun?

• The mission consists of 4 satellites:
  • 3 Wide-Field Imagers to capture 360° images of the Sun’s outer atmosphere.
  • 1 Narrow-Field Imager to study the Sun’s nearby regions.
• It will be the first mission to use polarized light (polarization) for high-resolution imaging of the solar corona and solar winds.

🔍 Key Discoveries Expected from PUNCH Mission

🌀 1. Mystery of the Sun’s Outer Layer (Corona):

• The solar corona is millions of times hotter than the Sun’s surface.
• Scientists still do not understand why this happens.
• PUNCH will help solve this mystery.

🌪 2. Predicting Solar Storms:

• Solar storms can disrupt communication systems, GPS, and satellites.
• The mission will help understand their origin and impact.

🌬 3. Tracking Solar Winds:

• Charged solar particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, creating auroras.
• These interactions can sometimes be hazardous.
• PUNCH will track the speed and direction of solar winds.

🛰 4. Impact on Space Weather:

• Space weather affects Earth’s atmosphere, satellites, and even astronauts' health.
• PUNCH will provide deeper insights into these changes.

🎯 Why Is This Important for UPSC?

• Relevant for GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology, Space Research).
• ISRO & NASA missions are frequently asked in exams.
• Helps in answering questions related to solar storms, solar winds, and space weather.

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By : team atharvaexamwise