Dhathri Astronomy Blog

Chandrayaan-3  Greetings! Today we are talking about the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft. I'm so excited about this event since I will be in India on vacation! Without further ado, join me for this wonderful adventure! Introduction Exciting news! The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that they'll be launching the much-awaited Chandrayaan-3 mission on July 13, 2023. This will be their third mission to the moon, following the successful Chandrayaan-2 mission. Like its predecessor, the Chandrayaan-3 will have a lander and a rover, but this time there won't be an orbiter. Instead, a propulsion module will function as a communications relay satellite, having smooth communication throughout the mission. The spacecraft bus, accordingly named Chandrayaan, will be launched using the LVM3 M4 rocket. The Vikram lander and Pragyan rover will have a mission duration of no more than 14 days each, ensuring that the mission is accomplished quickly and efficiently. The payloa...

  Stellar Star Power; The Sun Hello everyone! Today we will talk about an essential element leading to a beautiful life on Earth, the Sun! Introduction/What is a Star? We know stars, as enormous balls of brightness that shine. You see many stars in the night sky...but what exactly is it?  Stars have a more profound significance in Astronomy beyond their common definition. It comprises mainly hydrogen & Helium (fusion) and other gases. As the center of their solar system, they are the ones to hold the planets/exoplanets/dwarf planets together (and others!!) because of their huge gravitational force (but not like black holes, which have much more tremendous force).     The Life Cycle of Stars (Stages) In the process of star formation, clouds of gas and dust, known as nebulae, come together due to gravitational forces. These clouds collapse, become denser, and heat up. The temperature is around 15 million degrees Celsius, nuclear fusion reactions take place, and a s...