ISRO invites researchers to analyse Chandrayaan-2 data

NELLORE: To enhance scientific outcomes from Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter payloads, ISRO has sought proposals from nation’s scientific community for analysis and utilisation of data from all experiments of Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter.

This Announcement of Opportunity (AO) is open to all researchers from recognised academic institutions, universities, colleges, planetaria and government organisations of India.

According to ISRO, data from Chandrayaan-1 have been extensively used by Indian researchers to understand lunar morphology, surface age determination, composition of lunar surface, and possible presence of magmatic as well as exogenic water. These studies have provided enhanced thoughtful views on evolutionary processes of the moon.

To further enable Indian research community to study lunar science, Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter payloads data have been made available to public. Proposals have also been solicited for scientific analysis.

Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter is currently in a 100 km x 100 km circular polar orbit around the Moon.

It carries eight experiments for studies ranging from surface geology and composition to exospheric measurements. These would help build upon the understanding from previous lunar missions.

Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter payloads data had been released to the public for scientific analysis on December 24, 2020. Subsequent data had been made available in July 2021. Some results by payload science teams have already been published in international peer-reviewed journals.

Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter payloads are generating high-quality data. These are available in public domain (https://pradan.issdc.gov.in) for scientific analysis. More data sets will be added as acquired by various payloads.