What is Statio Shiv Shakti?
Statio Shiv Shakti is the officially recognized landing site for Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander on the Moon.
The name was chosen by the Indian Space Research Organisation and approved by the International Astronomical Union on March 19, 2024.
Statio: Latin for "station" or "landing site"
Shiva Shakti: Represents the masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) duality in Indian mythology
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the name in August 2023, highlighting the concepts of determination (Shiva) and the power to achieve goals (Shakti).
It also pays homage to the female scientists who contributed to the mission.
Statio Shiv Shakti is located at 69.373°S 32.319°E, near the lunar craters Manzinus C and Simpelius N.
Making it roughly 600 kilometers from the Moon's south pole.
This landing marked India as the fourth nation to achieve a soft lunar landing and the first to touch down at the south pole.
International Astronomical Union (IAU)
The IAU is a non-governmental organisation with the objective of advancing astronomy in all aspects.
It includes promoting astronomical research, outreach, education, and development through global cooperation.
It was founded in 1919 and is based in Paris, France.
Standardization: The IAU serves as the international authority for assigning designations and names to celestial bodies and surface features on them.
This authority was recognized by the United Nations in 1982.
Scientific Collaboration: The IAU facilitates international collaboration among astronomers through a network of Divisions, Commissions, and Working Groups.
These groups focus on a wide range of astronomical topics, from the study of the Sun and planets to the formation of galaxies and the universe as a whole.
Education and Outreach: The IAU promotes astronomy education and public outreach through a variety of initiatives, including the organization of the International Year of Astronomy in 2009.
The IAU is a vital organization for the advancement of astronomy.
It plays a critical role in ensuring that astronomers around the world can work together effectively to explore the universe.
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