Multi Application Solar Telescope and Resourcesat-2A
Science & Technology › Space Technology and ISRO · Topic 12.21
The Multi Application Solar Telescope, MAST, is an Indian ground-based solar telescope with a 50-centimetre aperture at the Udaipur Solar Observatory of the Physical Research Laboratory, built on an island in Fatehsagar Lake to reduce the heat and air turbulence rising from the ground. It was commissioned in 2015 and studies the solar atmosphere and magnetic fields at high resolution, with the aim of understanding sunspots, flares and the way energy moves from the Sun's surface upward. Resourcesat-2A is an Earth observation satellite launched on 7 December 2016 by PSLV-C36 into a sun-synchronous orbit at about 817 kilometres, with the same LISS-III, LISS-IV and AWiFS cameras as Resourcesat-2, to give continuous data for crops, forests and water.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Space Technology and ISRO
At a Glance
- MAST 50 cm solar telescope, Udaipur
- Operator Physical Research Laboratory
- Resourcesat-2A Launched 7 December 2016
- Launcher PSLV-C36
- Orbit Sun-synchronous, about 817 km
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Space Technology and ISRO
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows the account of GSLV engines. It brings together two Indian facilities that look at very different targets, one the Sun from the ground and the other the Earth from space. Previous topic: GSLV Engine Variants and Cryogenic Rocket Technology. Next topic: Astrosat, Astrosat-Chandra-Hubble Joint Detection of Cosmic Explosions.
What Are MAST and Resourcesat-2A?
| Facility | Key details |
|---|---|
| MAST | A 50 cm aperture telescope that observes the Sun in visible and near infrared light. Installed at the Udaipur Solar Observatory, run by the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad |
| Site | The observatory sits on an island in Fatehsagar Lake, Udaipur, because the water cools the air and gives steadier images, called good seeing |
| Features | Adaptive optics and a vector magnetograph to measure magnetic fields at high resolution |
| Science aims | Sunspots, flares, magnetic field structure and how it affects space weather |
| Resourcesat-2A | Launched on 7 December 2016 by PSLV-C36 from Sriharikota. Mass about 1,235 kg |
| Orbit | Sun-synchronous, about 817 km, with a repeat cycle of 24 days |
| Payloads | LISS-III (23.5 m), LISS-IV (5.8 m multispectral, 70 km swath) and AWiFS (56 m, 740 km swath) |
How Do They Contribute to Science and Applications?
- Solar physics in India: Udaipur is one of the few places in India with high resolution solar observation, and PRL also uses space data
- Link with Aditya-L1: ground telescopes help to compare with spaceborne data, as in Solar Mission Aditya-L1
- Space weather: solar magnetic field studies help to predict flares
- Resourcesat-2A continuity: follows Resourcesat-1 (2003) and Resourcesat-2 (2011), so data from the same sensors continue
- Agriculture: AWiFS data for national crop area and drought assessment
- Forest and land: LISS-IV images for fine land use mapping
- Water: reservoir and wetland mapping
- Disaster mapping: floods and other disasters, along with other satellites
What Else Should You Remember?
- Physical Research Laboratory: a unit of the Department of Space in Ahmedabad, founded in 1947 and linked with Vikram Sarabhai and K R Ramanathan
- Other solar facilities: the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, with solar records going back more than a century, and the Gauribidanur radio observatory
- Good seeing: atmospheric turbulence blurs images, so telescopes are built at calm sites such as lakes, mountains and islands
- National Large Solar Telescope: a proposed 2 metre telescope at Merak near Pangong Lake in Ladakh
- Adaptive optics: systems that correct the blurring of the atmosphere by moving a mirror many times a second
- Magnetograph: an instrument that measures the strength and direction of the Sun’s magnetic field using the Zeeman effect
- Resourcesat series: Resourcesat-1 was launched in 2003, and the series is the main source of Indian multispectral data for land resources
- Swath and resolution: LISS-IV gives the finest detail with a narrow swath while AWiFS gives frequent coverage, as in Earth Observation Systems and INSAT/GSAT/IRS Applications in Detail
- Launcher configuration: PSLV-C36 flew in the XL configuration with six large strap-on boosters and carried Resourcesat-2A as its primary payload
- Data availability: data from Resourcesat satellites are supplied through the National Remote Sensing Centre
- Climate and Sun: solar activity follows a cycle of about 11 years, which is important for space weather planning
- Link with sunspots: sunspots are linked to magnetic fields, as in Sunspots, Magnetars and Neutron Stars
- Training and outreach: the observatory also trains students in solar observing and shares data with the international community of solar observers
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- MAST facts: aperture, location, operator
- Resourcesat-2A facts: launch date, rocket, sensors
- Concepts: good seeing and swath
- Current affairs link: solar cycle and new Earth observation satellites
- Common errors: placing MAST in Kodaikanal or Resourcesat-2A on a GSLV
As an analytical point, ground telescopes and satellites complement each other. MAST adds fine magnetic data from the ground, and Resourcesat-2A ensures a steady supply of data for national resource management.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- MAST Udaipur telescope
- Satellite Resourcesat-2A
- Sensors LISS and AWiFS
What Came Next?
The next topic covers Astrosat and its joint studies of cosmic explosions with other observatories. Next topic: Astrosat, Astrosat-Chandra-Hubble Joint Detection of Cosmic Explosions.
Key People and Terms
- MAST Multi Application Solar Telescope
- Aperture Opening diameter of a telescope
- Good seeing Steady air for sharp images
- LISS Imaging camera series
- AWiFS Wide swath sensor
- Swath Image strip width
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- MAST aperture: 50 cm.
- MAST site: Udaipur, Fatehsagar Lake.
- Resourcesat-2A launch: 7 December 2016.
- Rocket: PSLV-C36.
- AWiFS swath: about 740 km.
Do Not Confuse With
- MAST and Kodaikanal Solar Observatory Udaipur PRL telescope versus Tamil Nadu observatory
- Resourcesat-2 and 2A 2011 satellite versus 2016 follow-up
- LISS-IV and AWiFS Fine narrow versus coarse wide
Memory Hook
Udaipur lake for steady sun views; Resourcesat-2A in December sixteen on PSLV.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for facts about the telescope and satellite. These points help.
- Solar science Magnetic fields
- Satellite use Resources
- Synergy Ground and space
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the role of ground-based solar telescopes such as MAST and Earth observation satellites such as Resourcesat-2A in India’s scientific and resource management efforts.”
How to Answer
- MAST Facts and aims.
- Satellite Sensors and uses.
- Synergy Ground plus space.
- Way Continuity.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Multi Application Solar Telescope?
The Multi Application Solar Telescope, MAST, is a 50-centimetre aperture telescope at the Udaipur Solar Observatory of the Physical Research Laboratory. It is built on an island in Fatehsagar Lake, where the water keeps the air steady, and it studies the solar atmosphere and magnetic fields with high resolution.
Why is the Udaipur Solar Observatory on an island?
The Udaipur Solar Observatory is on an island in Fatehsagar Lake because the water surface reduces the heat and turbulent air that rise from the ground during the day, which blur solar images. Observing from a lake gives steadier air, called good seeing, and so sharper images of the Sun than a land site would.
When was Resourcesat-2A launched?
Resourcesat-2A was launched on 7 December 2016 by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, flight PSLV-C36, from Sriharikota. It was placed in a sun-synchronous orbit about 817 kilometres high and carries LISS-III, LISS-IV and AWiFS cameras to continue the data of Resourcesat-2 for land, crop and water monitoring.
What is the resolution of LISS-IV?
LISS-IV on the Resourcesat satellites gives multispectral images with a resolution of about 5.8 metres and a swath of about 70 kilometres. It is used for detailed mapping of land use, crops and urban areas, while AWiFS has a coarser resolution of 56 metres but covers a wide swath of about 740 kilometres.
What is the Physical Research Laboratory?
The Physical Research Laboratory is a research institute of the Department of Space in Ahmedabad, founded in 1947 by Vikram Sarabhai and K R Ramanathan. It works on astronomy and astrophysics, solar physics, space and atmospheric sciences, planetary science and earth sciences, and it runs the Udaipur Solar Observatory.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Multi Application Solar Telescope is located at Udaipur.
On an island in Fatehsagar Lake.
2 Resourcesat-2A was launched by a GSLV rocket.
It was launched by PSLV-C36.
3 AWiFS has a wider swath than LISS-IV.
About 740 km versus 70 km.
4 MAST is operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.
By the Physical Research Laboratory.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
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