India launches its first mission to the Sun

India has launched Adita-L1 in what is the country's first observation mission to the Sun, just days after it made history by becoming the first to land near the Moon's south pole.

Adita-L1 lifted off from the launch pad at Sriharikota on Saturday at 11:50 India time (06:20 GMT).

Over the next four months, it will travel 932,000 miles from the Earth - 1% of the Earth-Sun distance - where it will be able to orbit the Sun at the same rate as the Earth.

From this vantage point, Aditya-L1 will be able to watch the Sun constantly - even when it is hidden during an eclipse - and carry out scientific studies.