Why is it in the news?

• India has embarked on its maiden winter expedition to the Arctic region, showcasing its commitment to advancing scientific research in extreme environments.
• The Arctic’s unique conditions provide an opportunity to study celestial phenomena with minimal interference.

 More about the news

• The Raman Research Institute (RRI) scientists have been selected as the initial group to conduct a series of experiments during this expedition.
• The expedition is funded by the Earth Sciences Ministry, reflecting the government’s support for scientific exploration and research initiatives.
• The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research in Goa is the coordinating agency, highlighting the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of the expedition.
• The researchers aim to assess the radio frequency environment in Norway’s Arctic Svalbard region. This evaluation is crucial for determining the suitability of the region for precise astronomy measurements.
• The Arctic’s unique conditions provide an opportunity to study celestial phenomena with minimal interference.
• The expedition seeks to establish India’s continuous year-round presence at the Himadri station in the Arctic. This station is integral to India’s Arctic research initiatives.
• Scientists at RRI are working on the SARAS series, designed to study the faint cosmological signal from hydrogen emerging from the cosmic dawn. The cosmic dawn represents the era when the first stars and galaxies emerged in the universe.
• Significance of Experiments: The experiments hold the potential to open up possibilities for deploying low-frequency radio telescopes in the Arctic region, contributing to advancements in astronomical research.