India’s first solar observation mission, Aditya-L1, has captured data that helped scientists estimate the precise time a coronal mass ejection began. This finding could help keep power grids and communication satellites safe from solar activities threatening infrastructure on Earth and space.
What is a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)?
A coronal mass ejection is a huge fireball that blows out of the Sun’s outermost corona layer. They can be several times larger than Earth and can attain speeds of up to 3,000km per second while traveling. CMEs can head out in any direction, including towards the Earth.
Impact of CMEs on Earth
CMEs can cause mayhem on Earth by interfering with the Earth’s magnetic field. Their impact is much more serious in space where the charged particles of a CME can make all the electronics on a satellite malfunction. They can knock down power grids and affect weather and communication satellites.
Why are CMEs important to track?
Scientists say that if we are able to see what happens on the Sun and spot a solar storm or a coronal mass ejection in real time and watch its trajectory, it can work as a forewarning to switch off power grids and satellites and keep them out of harm’s way.
What is Aditya-L1?
Aditya-L1 is India’s first solar observation mission in space. It joined the select group of space-based solar missions like US space agency Nasa, the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan, and China earlier this year. From its vantage point in space, Aditya-L1 is able to watch the Sun constantly, even during eclipses and occultations, and carry out scientific studies.
What did Aditya-L1 capture on 16 July?
On 16 July, the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (Velc) instrument on Aditya-L1 captured data that helped scientists estimate the precise time a coronal mass ejection began. This is one of the most important scientific objectives of India’s maiden solar mission.
What are the implications of this finding?
The new learnings from Aditya-L1 could help keep power grids and communication satellites out of harm’s way the next time solar activities threatened infrastructure on Earth and space.
