India plans satellite to study Sun*
<http://www.dilsedesi.org> NEW DELHI: An ambitious plan to study the Sun
will soon take shape with scientists making preparations for launch of a
satellite named 'Aditya' to observe the corona, the Sun's outermost region,
the government informed Parliament on Wednesday.

"Satellite 'Aditya' will study the corona, the outermost region of the Sun,
and other parameters of space weather," minister of state in PMO Prithviraj
Chavan said.

The minister said the mission was intended to enhance scientific knowledge
of Sun's radiation and continuous monitoring of its atmosphere.

'Aditya' is likely to be a 100 kg satellite expected to be launched by 2012
to be placed in a near-earth orbit of 600 km.

<http://www.dilsedesi.org>The Sun's corona is highly active, releasing
energy during solar flares in the form of bursts manifesting as geomagnetic
storms on earth. These storms can distort the earth's magnetic field, and
have a huge bearing on near-earth space where satellites are
located.<http://www.dilsedesi.org>