GRAPES-3 (Science and Technology)
GRAPES-3 (Science and Technology)
Why In News:
GRAPES-3, India's large-area cosmic-ray telescope located at Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Tamil Nadu, has an important role in advancing our understanding of high-energy cosmic rays and global astroparticle physics research.
Source: The Hindu, Page 20, 17 June 2026
What is GRAPES-3?
Full Form: Gamma Ray Astronomy PeV EnergieS phase-3.
Location: Ooty, Tamil Nadu, at an altitude of 2,200 metres.
Operated by: Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai.
Established: Phase-3 operations began in the early 2000s; originally conceived in 1994.
Purpose: Studies high-energy cosmic rays with energies up to PeV (peta-electron volt = 10^15 eV). Also monitors solar flares and variations in Earth's geomagnetic field.
Significance
Detects cosmic-ray air showers using muon detectors and scintillation detectors.
GRAPES-3 scientists published findings on a coronal mass ejection (CME) that revealed temporary cracks in Earth's magnetosphere allowing cosmic rays to enter.
Contributes data to global cosmic-ray research networks including the Pierre Auger Observatory collaboration.
Key Facts for Prelims
Cosmic Rays: High-energy particles (protons, electrons, heavier nuclei) originating from supernova remnants, active galactic nuclei (AGN), and other astrophysical sources outside Earth.
PeV significance: The 'knee' of the cosmic-ray spectrum, where flux drops steeply, occurs around 1-3 PeV; GRAPES-3 is designed to study precisely this energy range.
TIFR: Under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India; premier research institution for fundamental sciences.