Statio Shiv Shakti
Shiv Shakti point is the name given to the landing site of the Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander, which touched down on the South pole of the Moon on 23 August 2023.[1][2] The site was named on 26 August 2023 at the ISTRAC headquarters in Bengaluru after India became the first country to make a successful soft landing on the South Pole of Moon and fourth country to make a successful soft landing on the surface of Moon.[3] The point is located on the coordinates 69°22′03″S 32°20′53″E / 69.367621°S 32.348126°E[4] and lies between Manzinus C and Simpelius N craters.[5]
Etymology
The name Shiv Shakti is derived from the names Shiva, who is one of the principal Hindu deities and Shakti, the divine feminine energy, who is often depicted as the consort of Shiva.[6]
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi while naming the spot said, "The humanitarian resolve is integral to the concept of Shiva, and it is from Shakti that we get the ability to fulfil that resolve. Shiv Shakti Point on the Moon gives the sense of the unity of India from Kanyakumari to the Himalayas."[7]
Reception
The naming of the point as "Shiv Shakti", sparked political row in India. It was compared with the Jawahar Point. While some welcomed the name, some criticised it.[8]
See also
References
- ^ Kumar, Sanjay (23 August 2023). "India makes history by landing spacecraft near Moon's south pole". Science.org. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ "Chandrayaan-3 launch on 14 July, lunar landing on 23 or 24 August". The Hindu. 6 July 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ^ "Modi in Bengaluru Live Updates: Touchdown point of Vikram lander will be known as 'Shivshakti', says PM". The Indian Express. 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
- ^ "Mission homepage". Archived from the original on 23 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "India launches Chandrayaan-3 mission to the lunar surface". Physicsworld. 14 July 2023. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ R Jayaprakash. "Chandrayaan-3 landing spot now 'Shiv Shakti Point'". The Sunday Guardian. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ "PM links Shiv Shakti to India's commitment to universal welfare and the power of women". Indian Express. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ "Shiv Shakti vs Jawahar point: Naming of Chandrayaan-3 touchdown site sparks row". India Today. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.