Indian scientists recently announced a major discovery from Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observation mission. This achievement could help protect vital infrastructure on Earth and in space from solar activities.
Pinpointing a Coronal Mass Ejection
On July 16, Aditya-L1’s instrument, the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), captured critical data on coronal mass ejections (CMEs). CMEs are massive bursts of charged particles from the Sun’s corona, weighing up to a trillion kilograms. They can travel as fast as 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) per second, reaching Earth in just 15 hours.
Prof. R. Ramesh from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics emphasized their impact: “A CME can cause immense disruption if it heads toward Earth.” The CME recorded on July 16 began at 13:08 GMT, initially moving toward Earth before veering off after 30 minutes. Though this event missed Earth, solar storms, flares, and CMEs often affect our planet.
These solar phenomena don’t harm humans directly but can disrupt satellite electronics, power grids, and communications. CMEs can create auroras near the poles or, during stronger events, farther away, as seen recently in cities like London and Paris. Severe CMEs can disable satellites, cause power outages, and interrupt essential communication services.
Prof. Ramesh highlighted the risks: “Communication satellites are vital, and a CME could disrupt internet, phone, and radio systems.” Historical examples like the 1859 Carrington Event show the potential scale of damage, as does the 1989 Quebec blackout caused by a CME, which affected six million people.
Monitoring the Sun for Advanced Warning
Continuous solar monitoring helps scientists predict the arrival of solar storms, offering time to safeguard satellites and grids. Agencies like NASA, ESA, Japan, and China have studied the Sun for years. Aditya-L1 now adds India to the group of nations tracking solar activity from space.
Aditya-L1’s unique positioning allows constant observation of the Sun, even during eclipses. While Earth-based instruments can only view the Sun’s photosphere, Aditya-L1 focuses on the outer corona, visible only during eclipses from Earth.
India’s coronagraph, designed to block the Sun’s photosphere, offers a clear, uninterrupted view of the corona, outperforming NASA-ESA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). Prof. Ramesh noted, “Our coronagraph provides 24/7 corona visibility, enabling detailed CME studies.” In contrast, SOHO’s design limits its ability to track some CME origins.
Aditya-L1 also works alongside India’s ground-based solar observatories in Kodaikanal, Gauribidanur, and Udaipur. Together, these facilities strengthen global solar research and improve CME tracking.
Advancing Solar Research and Infrastructure Protection
Aditya-L1 marks a major step in forecasting and mitigating solar storm impacts. The mission enhances understanding of solar activity, helping protect Earth’s infrastructure from potential disruptions. With Aditya-L1, India contributes significantly to global solar observation efforts, ensuring better preparedness against solar threats.
