Inauguration of the MACE Telescope in Ladakh

The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) telescope was inaugurated on October 4, 2024, in Hanle, Ladakh. This state-of-the-art facility stands at an altitude of 4.3 km, making it the highest imaging Cherenkov telescope globally. It features a 21-metre-wide dish, the largest in Asia. The construction involved several prominent Indian research institutions. MACE aims to study high-energy gamma rays, which are vital for understanding cosmic phenomena and dark matter.

About Gamma Rays

Gamma rays are the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation. They have wavelengths shorter than those of visible light. These rays are produced by extreme cosmic events like supernovae and black holes. Gamma rays can damage living cells, but Earth’s atmosphere blocks them from reaching the surface. This necessitates the use of ground-based telescopes like MACE to detect gamma rays indirectly.

Cherenkov Radiation Explained

When gamma rays enter the atmosphere, they interact with air molecules, producing a shower of charged particles. These particles emit Cherenkov radiation, a faint blue light. The MACE telescope collects this light to study high-energy gamma rays. The telescope’s design optimises the collection of this radiation, utilising a large light collector made of honeycomb-structured mirrors.

Technological Innovations in MACE

MACE features a light collector with 356 mirror panels. This design enhances stability and reflects more light. The telescope’s camera consists of 1,088 photomultiplier tubes that detect and amplify the faint Cherenkov signals. The telescope operates on a moving base, allowing it to track celestial objects across the sky.

Research Goals of MACE

MACE aims to study gamma rays with energies exceeding 20 billion electron volts. It targets emissions from black holes and gamma-ray pulsars. A key objective is to search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), hypothesised constituents of dark matter. Detecting gamma rays from WIMPs could provide vital information about the nature of dark matter and its role in the universe.

Significance for India and Global Science

MACE represents advancement in India’s capabilities in gamma-ray astronomy. Most of its subsystems were developed domestically. The telescope is expected to address fundamental questions in astrophysics and particle physics. It will enhance our understanding of high-energy cosmic events and potentially confirm the existence of dark matter.

Future Prospects

With its advanced technology, MACE is poised to contribute to cutting-edge research in astrophysics. It may help verify theoretical models of dark matter and explore new cosmic phenomena. The telescope’s inauguration marks a new chapter in India’s scientific journey in the field of high-energy astronomy.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Examine the significance of gamma-ray astronomy in understanding cosmic phenomena.
2. Discuss the technological advancements in telescope design and their impact on astronomical research.
3. Critically discuss the role of dark matter in the universe and the challenges in its detection.
4. With suitable examples, discuss the importance of international collaboration in advancing space research.

Answer Hints:

1. Examine the significance of gamma-ray astronomy in understanding cosmic phenomena.

1. Gamma-ray astronomy helps study extreme cosmic events like supernovae and black holes.
2. It provides vital information about high-energy processes and particle interactions in the universe.
3. Gamma rays can reveal information about the composition and evolution of galaxies.
4. About gamma rays aids in the search for dark matter and its properties.
5. Ground-based telescopes like MACE enable indirect detection, expanding research capabilities.

2. Discuss the technological advancements in telescope design and their impact on astronomical research.

1. Modern telescopes utilize advanced materials and designs, such as honeycomb mirrors for stability.
2. Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) like MACE enhance light collection efficiency.
3. Integration of photomultiplier tubes allows for real-time data processing and analysis.
4. Mobile telescope designs enable tracking of celestial objects across the sky effectively.
5. Innovations in telescope technology have led to higher sensitivity and resolution in observations.

3. Critically discuss the role of dark matter in the universe and the challenges in its detection.

1. Dark matter constitutes over 85% of the universe’s mass, influencing cosmic structure and evolution.
2. It interacts gravitationally but does not emit detectable electromagnetic radiation.
3. Detecting dark matter is challenging due to its weak interactions with normal matter.
4. Proposed candidates like WIMPs require advanced detection methods like those used in gamma-ray astronomy.
5. About dark matter is crucial for a comprehensive model of the universe’s composition.

4. With suitable examples, discuss the importance of international collaboration in advancing space research.

1. International collaborations pool resources, expertise, and technology for large-scale projects.
2. Examples include the International Space Station (ISS) and the James Webb Space Telescope.
3. Collaborative efforts enhance scientific output and reduce costs for participating nations.
4. Joint missions allow for a broader range of data collection and analysis, benefiting all parties.
5. Shared knowledge accelerates advancements in space research and encourages global scientific community.