INDIA'S 1ST MULTI-WAVELENGTH ASTRONOMY MISSION: ASTROSAT

1. AstroSat, India's pioneering space telescope, has achieved a remarkable scientific breakthrough by measuring X-ray polarisation from Cygnus X-1.
2. marking the first time such a feat has been accomplished.
3. This discovery opens new avenues for understanding the mysterious environments surrounding black holes.

Black Holes: Black holes are region in space where gravity is so extreme to prevent the escape of any fast-moving particles even light. About AstroSat: launched in 2015 by PSLV-XL to LE0 (Low Earth Orbit), for the scientific objectives to study the universe, to understand the high energy processes in star systems, to detect new X-ray sources in the sky. It enables the simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of various astronomical objects.

Cygnus X-1: A Brief Overview

1. Cygnus X-1, discovered in 1964, is a galactic X-ray source and also is one of the first confirmed black hole in our galaxy, is approximately 6,070 light years away from earth it is one of the most studied objects in its class.
2. Weighing 20 times more than the Sun.
3. Cygnus X-1 forms a binary system with a supergiant star, leading to the creation of an accretion disk from the star's material spiraling into the black hole, which releases soft X-rays.

The Achievement of AstroSat

1. The observations made by AstroSat's Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager (CZTI) not only highlight the intensity and energy of X-ray radiations but also show the polarisation characteristics.
2. This crucial data provides insights into the black hole's geometry and other intrinsic properties.

The Significance of X-ray Polarisation

1. X-ray polarisation refers to the orientation of the oscillating electric field within X-ray radiations.
2. Understanding this orientation, influenced by accelerating charged particles, reveals extensive details about the phenomena occurring in the vicinity of a black hole.
3. Polarisation measurement in X-ray wavelengths is notably challenging, making AstroSat's accomplishment even more significant.

Insights from the Discovery

1. This study has linked the hard X-ray radiation directly to the black hole jet for the first time.
2. The high polarisation observed in the 100-380 keV energy range suggests that the radiation emitted above 100 keV likely originated from the black hole jet.
3. This connection provides crucial insights into the mechanism of radiation production in such cosmic entities.

Collaborative Effort and Development

1. The achievement is the result of a decade-long effort involving multiple Indian institutions, highlighting the collaborative spirit within the Indian scientific community.
2. The development of the necessary tools to analyze AstroSat data and measure the polarisation of Cygnus X-1's X-ray represents a significant milestone in India's astronomical research.

Conclusion

AstroSat's detection of polarised high-energy X-rays from Cygnus X-1 not only enhances our understanding of black holes but also demonstrates India's growing capabilities in space science and technology. This discovery propels the global astrophysics community forward, offering new perspectives on the nature of black holes and the processes occurring in their proximity.

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