Article Posted on : - Jan 13, 2010

A file photo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (PTI): The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), an unit of ISRO, has made elaborate arrangements including launch of sounding rockets to gather data for a comprehensive analysis of the annular solar eclipse, which would occur on January 15.

The atmospheric-ionospheric parameters to be conducted in India would be one of the most comprehensive scientific campaigns ever attempted during a solar eclipse anywhere in the world, a VSSC release said here on Wednesday.

As part of the campaign, nine sounding rockets would be launched before and during the eclipse from Thumba attached to the VSCC and Satish Dhawan Space Centre, also known as the Sriharikota Range (SHAR) to collect data on the event.

At 11.14 am on January 15, the eclipse will pass close to Thumba with 91 per cent obscuration of the Sun and its edges would touch Sriharikota with 85 per cent obscuration.

The eclipse would be a unique one since it will take place during noontime, when the incoming solar radiation would be at its maximum, the VSSC release said.

It is also significant since the obscuration of the Sun during the eclipse would be exceptionally long, about 11 minutes and eight seconds, providing an opportunity to study, perhaps for the first time, the eclipse induced effects in the noontime equatorial region.

The interpretation of the space data would give new insights of the celestial phenomenon, it said.