India celebrates a milestone with the launch of the world's highest gamma-ray telescope in Ladakh's Hanle region, named the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE). Constructed by Indian institutions, including BARC and DAE, MACE has detected gamma-ray flares from vast distances, aiding in understanding celestial phenomena. Positioned strategically at a high altitude, MACE symbolizes India's progress in space research, with plans for future expansion and collaboration in high-energy gamma-ray exploration.
In a significant leap towards cosmic exploration, India recently unveiled the world's highest gamma-ray telescope in Ladakh's Hanle region. Nestled at an altitude exceeding 4,300 meters, this cutting-edge observatory promises to revolutionize our understanding of celestial phenomena, including supernovae and enigmatic black holes, as affirmed by scientists.
Officially christened the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE), this marvel was meticulously crafted within the borders of India by the esteemed Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai, supported by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Electronics Corporation of India Limited, and other key industrial collaborators. The successful deployment of MACE underscores India's rapid advancements in space and cosmic-ray research domains.
Since its inauguration in 2021, MACE has detected awe-inspiring gamma-ray flares emanating from distances surpassing 200 million light-years. To put this into perspective, a light-year signifies the distance light traverses in a single year. Notably, MACE proudly stands as Asia's largest imaging Cherenkov telescope, honoring the legacy of physicist Pavel Cherenkov.
Hanle, a strategic locale in Ladakh, was strategically chosen as the home for MACE due to its lofty altitude, facilitating nights of profound darkness against a backdrop of unpolluted skies, ideal for astronomical observations.
Unraveling the Mystery of Gamma-Ray Telescopes
Gamma rays, the most potent form of electromagnetic radiation, possess over 10,000 times the energy of visible light photons. Originating from various corners of our local and cosmic realms, including the vast expanse of our Milky Way galaxy and beyond, these gamma rays embark on extensive journeys before reaching Earth. Upon entering the Earth's atmosphere, they trigger cascades of secondary charged particles, predominantly electrons and positrons, through interactions with air molecules, elucidates Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, DAE secretary and chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
Unlike optical light and x-rays, gamma rays evade capture by mirrors. Ground-based telescopes like MACE, equipped with expansive light collectors and specialized detectors or cameras, intercept the fleeting bursts of Cherenkov light, a distinctive blue hue emitted during the evolution of extensive air showers at an altitude of approximately 10 km above the Earth's surface. These captured images undergo meticulous analysis to discern gamma-ray signals amidst the cosmic ray backdrop, comprising protons, electrons, and alpha particles.
The Vision and Realization of MACE
The genesis of the MACE telescope project traces back to late 2007 with its conceptualization, followed swiftly by the commencement of mechanical design and site infrastructure initiatives in early 2008. Noteworthy milestones encompass the establishment and operation of a 240-kilowatt solar power station at the Hanle site by 2013, the finalization of the telescope's proof assembly in Hyderabad by mid-2014, and the culmination of civil works for the telescope foundation shortly thereafter, emphasizes Mohanty, a luminary in India's nuclear physics domain.
Mechanical endeavors kicked off in September 2014, culminating in the integration of all subsystems, including mirrors and the camera by late 2019. Rigorous engineering trials, encompassing alignment and optimization, ensued from late 2019 to early 2021. Since its operational debut in September 2021, the MACE telescope has been engaged in regular scientific observations, symbolizing a pinnacle of the 'Make in India' initiative through the indigenous conception, design, and fabrication of every major component.
Envisioning a Stellar Future for Hanle
As the Hanle site burgeons into an astronomical nucleus within India, plans are afoot to augment research endeavors in high-energy gamma rays. Building on the triumph of the singular MACE telescope, blueprints are underway to establish a stereo system comprising two additional MACE-like telescopes. Concurrently, a constellation of smaller telescopes, in the 4-meter class, is slated for deployment adjacent to the stereoscopic MACE facility, with aspirations to forge an international gamma-ray observatory in the Ladakh region in the near future.
A consortium of institutions from Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland has expressed keen interest in erecting two small-sized telescopes at the Hanle site, fostering a collaborative exchange of scientific acumen and expertise pivotal for the success of grand-scale projects.
In essence, the inauguration of MACE stands as a pivotal moment in India's scientific journey, propelling the nation into the vanguard of astronomical discoveries and cementing its status among the elite nations spearheading frontier research in astronomy and astrophysics. With each gamma-ray flare detected, MACE unravels a new chapter in our cosmic narrative, illuminating the mysteries of the universe with each celestial whisper it captures.
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