India’s recent solar mission, Aditya-L1, has made an important breakthrough with its first major scientific discovery, BBC reports.
This finding, which involves capturing data on a coronal mass ejection (CME), is crucial for better understanding solar activity and its impact on Earth and space-based infrastructure. As solar storms, solar flares, and CMEs can have significant effects on everything from power grids to communication satellites, this discovery has the potential to improve forecasting and protection against space weather-related disruptions.
On July 16, Aditya-L1’s primary instrument, the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (Velc), recorded data that helped estimate the precise timing of a CME. CMEs are massive bursts of solar material that can travel at speeds of up to 3,000 km per second and are capable of reaching Earth in just 15 hours. These ejections can cause severe disruptions on Earth, including interference with power grids, communication systems, and satellites in orbit.
The CME recorded by Aditya-L1 started on the side of the Sun facing Earth, but within half an hour, it was deflected, traveling behind the Sun and away from Earth. While this particular CME did not impact our planet, its study helps scientists better predict when a CME might head in Earth’s direction, potentially giving them time to protect vulnerable infrastructure.
CMEs, while not usually life-threatening, can cause significant technological disruptions. For instance, solar activity has been known to knock out power grids, such as the 1989 event that impacted Quebec, or disrupt air traffic control, as happened in Europe in 2015. Even more powerful solar events, like the 1859 Carrington Event, have the potential to cause widespread electrical and communication failures globally.
Aditya-L1’s findings could enable scientists to track solar storms in real time, allowing for early warnings and preventive actions, such as temporarily shutting down satellites or power grids to avoid damage. This capability would be invaluable, particularly as the world becomes more reliant on space-based technology and satellite communication.
India’s space agency, ISRO, joined the ranks of other space agencies such as NASA, ESA, and China in studying the Sun with the launch of Aditya-L1. Positioned at the Lagrange point L1, which allows for a constant view of the Sun, Aditya-L1 provides uninterrupted data collection, even during solar eclipses. This unique vantage point, combined with the Velc coronagraph’s precise measurements, enhances the ability to observe and study the Sun’s outer corona in ways that previous missions could not.
With the ability to monitor the Sun continuously, Aditya-L1 not only contributes to global solar research but also aids in improving forecasting models for space weather. By combining the data from the satellite with information from ground-based observatories in India, scientists hope to gain a deeper understanding of solar activity and its potential effects on Earth’s infrastructure.
