The Vikram lander from the Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved a groundbreaking milestone by landing on the moon's south pole on August 23, 2023. This remarkable event resulted in the formation of an "ejecta halo," a luminous area of lunar dust that was displaced during the landing.
Research published in the Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing reveals that the Vikram lander ejected approximately 2.06 tonnes of lunar epi regolith. This displaced material formed a coverage area of 108.4 m² around the landing site. The findings were shared by ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC).
The study's authors conducted a comparison of high-resolution images obtained before and after the landing, utilizing the orbiter high-resolution camera (OHRC) from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter. They characterized the ejecta halo as an irregular, bright patch encircling the lander, showcasing the impact of the landing.
This event is historic for India, as it marks the first successful landing in the moon's polar region. Following the landing, both the lander and the rover transitioned into sleep mode after one lunar day, which is equivalent to 14 Earth days.
Q1. What was the significance of the Chandrayaan-3 landing?
Answer: The Chandrayaan-3 mission's landing on the moon's south pole on August 23, 2023, is significant as it represents India's first successful lunar landing in this unexplored region.
Q2. How much lunar regolith did Vikram eject?
Answer: Vikram ejected approximately 2.06 tonnes of lunar epi regolith during its landing, covering an area of around 108.4 m².
Q3. What technology was used to analyze the ejecta halo?
Answer: High-resolution images from the orbiter high-resolution camera (OHRC) of the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter were used to analyze the ejecta halo surrounding the Vikram lander.
Q4. When did the Vikram lander go to sleep mode?
Answer: The Vikram lander entered sleep mode after one lunar day, which is equivalent to 14 Earth days on Earth.
Q5. What is an ejecta halo?
Answer: An ejecta halo is a bright patch of material, such as lunar dust, that is displaced around a landing site, created by the impact of a lander like Vikram.
Question 1: What is the primary achievement of the Chandrayaan-3 mission?
A) First lunar rover
B) First landing in the moon’s polar region
C) First lunar satellite
D) First lunar orbit insertion
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: How much lunar regolith was displaced by the Vikram lander?
A) 1.5 tonnes
B) 2.06 tonnes
C) 3 tonnes
D) 0.5 tonnes
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: Which camera was used to analyze the ejecta halo of Vikram?
A) Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera
B) High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment
C) Orbiter High-Resolution Camera
D) Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera
Correct Answer: C
Question 4: What happens after the Vikram lander enters sleep mode?
A) It continues to operate
B) It stops all functions
C) It prepares for a second landing
D) It collects data remotely
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: Which organization announced the findings of the Chandrayaan-3 mission?
A) NASA
B) ISRO
C) ESA
D) CNSA
Correct Answer: B
Question 6: What is the measurement unit for the area covered by the ejecta halo?
A) Square kilometers
B) Square meters
C) Hectares
D) Acres
Correct Answer: B
Kutos : AI Assistant!
