UPSC | Prelims GS | 2026

Which one of the following correctly describes the joint observation reported from India's Aditya-L1 and the European Space Agency's Proba-3?

  1. VELC provided spectroscopic information on coronal mass ejection gas, while ASPIICS enabled sharp imaging
  2. ASPIICS measured ocean salinity, while VELC mapped India's land borders
  3. Both instruments observed only the solar photosphere and not the corona
  4. Proba-3 was launched from India in 2023 and Aditya-L1 from Europe in 2024

Answer

Correct Answer

VELC provided spectroscopic information on coronal mass ejection gas, while ASPIICS enabled sharp imaging

Explanation

The report states that ASPIICS supplied sharp images for CME shape, dynamics and mass, while VELC supplied spectroscopic information on gas near two million degrees. The instruments studied the solar corona, not oceans or terrestrial borders. Aditya-L1 launched in 2023 and Proba-3 from Sriharikota in 2024, reversing option D's claims.

Topics: aditya-l1 velc and proba-3 aspiics, science and technology, solar missions, space science