Space Division

Astronomy DivisionSpace Applications DivisionSpace Technology Division

Astronomy Projects

(i). Study short period Delta Scuti type variable stars

(ii). Spectroscopic & Photometric Study of Supernova SN 2014J

(iii). Study Solar flares using CALLISTO

(iv). National Astronomical Observatory

Study short period Delta Scuti type variable stars

• Delta Scuti stars are pulsating variables of spectral types A to early F with luminosity classes V to III.

• They pulsate in radial and nonradial p (and possibly also g) modes with periods between about 30 minutes to 8 hours and photometric amplitudes less than 1 magnitude. 

• Objective: find the hidden periodicities of the system by least squares fitting of a sinusoid to the observed data(LS Spectra).

A displacement fieldwith l=2 and m=0.

A displacement fieldwith l=5 and m=3.

Progress

• Studied past research work on Delta Scuti stars

• Prepared specifications for 14” portable telescope

• Procurement in progress

Spectroscopic & Photometric Study of Supernova SN 2014J

Supernovae (SN) is a cataclysmic explosion of a star. Two main classes, Type I and Type II.

Type II supernova is an explosion of a massive supergiant star.

Type I supernova occur due a detonation of a carbon white dwarf. SN 2014J is a Type I supernova.

Objective: study the time variability of Na I D (λλ 5896 °A) absorption feature in SN 2014J spectra.

Mass accretion from companion

White dwarf

Type I supernova after exceeding 1.44 solar mass

Progress

• Preliminary literature studies have been done.

• Most of the required spectroscopic and photometric data have already been obtained through other international observatories.

• Data analysis stated through IRAF to determine column densities and interstellar extinctions.

• Working on setting up data reduction software called “VPFIT” that required to determine the column density of the Na I D absorption.

The Compact Astronomical Low-cost Low-frequency Instrument for Spectroscopy and Transportable

Observatory (CALLISTO)

Group of type III solar radio flare

observed at ACCIMT observatory; Sri Lanka

Large group of type III solar radio flare

observed at GLASGOW observatory: UK

Progress

• Solar radio bursts occurred between October 2013 and December 2014 were considered for the study.

• The type II and type III bursts were only considered for the analysis since they are the most common types and frequently occurred in solar flare emissions.

• The data were taken from all the e-CALLISTO station in the network.

• The data is being analyzed using MATLAB.

• The frequency drift rates are to be determined from each flare in order to calculate the shock speed of the solar flares.

The summit of the mountain range close to Dambulla

at; Longitude:8042’ 37”Latitude: 746’ 26” andAltitude: 862m (2830 feet)

National Astronomical Observatory(NAO)

Expected Project Outputs

• Researchers in our local universities as well as the undergraduates can utilize this facility to carry out research work in astrophysics and publish their work in international astronomical journals.

• Contribute to Space Debris monitoring network such as ISON.

 • Conduct public outreach activities: star gazing nights,

observation sessions on rare astronomical phenomenon such as transit of planets, appearances of comets, eclipses etc and conferences.

Progress• Identified the telescope site using Infrared satellite images

• Project proposal is completed and has been submitted to ERD for foreign funding

• The access road to the mountain summit has to be finalized

Collaboration with International Scientific Optical Network (ISON)

• Collaborates with 15 observatories around the world to perform observations of space debris.

• For this purpose, 14 telescopes were equipped with charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers.

Progress

• Literature survey on ISON activities is completed

• Locations are being searched for good astronomical sites with minimum light pollution using world light pollution map.

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Workshop on introduction to Astronomy

• Basic & intermediate level course

• Lectures and practical in observational astronomy are conducted

Space Applications Division Projects

(i). Drought Monitoring and Early Warning Project

(ii). National hub for receiving and distribution of earth observation data

(iii). National centre for conducting joint research on the application of RS/GIS

Drought Monitoring and Early Warning Project

• Sri Lanka has been selected by the United Nations Economic & Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) as the pilot country for space technology based capacity building on drought monitoring and early warning.

• The objective of this project to develop a comprehensive mechanism for drought monitoring and early warning in Sri Lanka using space technologies.

• Conduct Capacity building and training programs• Stakeholder Agencies:

o Department of Irrigationo Department of Agrarian Developmento Department of Agricultureo Mahaweli Development Authority Sri Lankao Department of Meteorologyo Census and Statistics department

Progress

• The Expert Training Program on UN-ESCAP Regional cooperative Mechanism for Drought Monitoring and Early Warning in Asia and the Pacific was jointly organized by ACCIMT and ESCAP and was held from 24th to 27st February, 2015 at Berjaya Mount Royal Beach Hotel Galkissa.

– 24th and 25th training on Indian software Drought Monitoring System assisted by NRSC• DMS-SL software – Satellite data inputs, NDVI/NDWIgeneration, Compositing, Anomaly NDVI/NDWI,

VCI,Statistics Generation& Map Composition• Bhuvan Data Viewer and Field Data Collection-Mobile application - A Demonstration

– 26th and 27th training on Chinese software Drought Watch System assisted by RADI• Introduction and demonstration of data acquisition and data preparation• Drought Watch System installation and test• Structure and feature introduction to Drought Watch • System operation introduction, Training how to operate the Drought Watch System

• Data collection – Collected MODIS data Tile 2h25 for 15 years (2000 to 2014)– Collected MODIS data Tile 2h26 for 15 years (2000 to 2014)– Downloaded MOD021KM and MOD03 MODIS data for three years (2014 to 2012)

National hub for receiving and distribution of earth observation data

• Objective of the project: Make Earth Observation and Remote Sensing data available to other organizations at affordable costs and thereby promote effective use of remote-sensed data for the development of the country

• 1st Phase: Procure and Setting up computer servers to make available the existing satellite data.

• 2nd Phase: setting up a ground station

Progress

• Procure & installation of computer servers - Tender has been called

• Submitted Proposal for ArcGIS sever (Enterprise Advanced) with relevant extensions and DBMS

• TEC evaluation of ArcGIS server is completed

National centre for conducting joint research on the application of RS/GIS

• Conduct research projects in RS/GIS area

• Space Applications Division, in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, intends to embark on a research project to acquire and develop a spectral signature library (bank) for our home-grown crops, in particularly paddy, using a spectroradiometer to be procured for the space division.

Progress

• Literature was done on the use of Remote sensing spectroscopy

• Prepared the specifications of the Spectroradiometer

• Tender has been called

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Introduction to Remote Sensing(RS) & Geographic Information System(GIS)

• CPD course

• Conducted Annually

• Lectures and practical are conducted

Space Technology Division

Remote Sensing Nanosatellite Mission

Objective: Design and build a Nanosatellite with remote sensing capabilities

Size: 6U Cubesat (300mm × 200mm × 100mm)

Attitude: 600km

Orbit: Circular Sun synchronous Polar Orbit

Payload: 6.5m GSD with 26km swath and five spectral bands (blue, green, red, red edge and infrared)

Lifetime: 3 years

• Budget: Rs. 600Mn

• Project Duration: 5 years

Progress

• Literature review has been carried out and gathered information on orbital elements from the following.

1. RazakSat from Malaysia using near equatorial orbit. 2. Indonesia using near equatorial orbits for their remote sensing missions.

• Identified the required equations

• Identified optimizing variables

Thank you