Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Innovation.
India’s Aditya-L1: A Game-Changer in Solar Observation
India’s first solar observation mission, Aditya-L1, has yielded its "first significant result," signaling its arrival as a critical player in global space science. Among the seven advanced instruments onboard the spacecraft, the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (Velc) has taken center stage by capturing real-time data on a coronal mass ejection (CME) a massive eruption of charged particles from the Sun.
This breakthrough could provide the early warnings needed to protect Earth’s infrastructure, including power grids, satellites, and communication systems, from the disruptive impacts of solar storms.
Understanding Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and Their Threats
CMEs are fiery explosions that burst out from the Sun’s corona, the outermost layer of the star. These events can eject charged particles weighing up to a trillion kilograms at staggering speeds of up to 3,000 km/s.
When a CME travels toward Earth, it can interfere with the planet's magnetic field and trigger disruptions in space-based technology and Earth’s power grids. On rare occasions, they can create stunning auroras visible far beyond the polar regions. However, the consequences are often far more severe in space, where they can damage satellites, interfere with communication networks, and even lead to power outages.
Velc: The Key Instrument Revealing the Sun’s Secrets
The Velc instrument on Aditya-L1 captured crucial data about a CME on 16 July, marking a significant milestone. By pinpointing the exact moment a CME began at 13:08 GMT and tracking its trajectory, scientists were able to confirm that it veered away from Earth shortly after its eruption.
This capability highlights Velc’s strength: it can observe the entire solar corona and detect CMEs from their very inception, unlike its counterparts in other international missions.
“Velc acts as an artificial eclipse,” says Prof. R. Ramesh of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, allowing Aditya-L1 to continuously monitor the corona and collect data critical to understanding solar activity.
Impact of Solar Activity on Earth and Space Infrastructure
The stakes of monitoring solar activity are high. With over 7,800 operational satellites, including more than 50 from India, stationed in space, CMEs pose a significant risk to global communication, navigation, and defense systems.
History provides stark reminders of the potential damage:
In 1989, a CME caused a nine-hour blackout in Quebec, affecting six million people.
In 2015, solar activity disrupted air traffic control in Sweden, causing widespread travel chaos.
The most powerful solar storm ever recorded, the Carrington Event of 1859, knocked out telegraph systems worldwide.
NASA scientists warn that we narrowly avoided a similarly catastrophic event in 2012, when a massive CME missed Earth by a matter of days.
The Global Effort to Monitor Solar Storms
Solar monitoring is not a new endeavor. Agencies like NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan, and China have all invested in solar observation missions. However, Aditya-L1’s entry into this elite circle marks a significant step forward for India’s space program.
The ability to track CMEs and predict their trajectory in real-time offers a valuable tool for mitigating risks. Early warnings could allow operators to power down grids, safeguard satellites, and protect critical infrastructure before a CME reaches Earth.
How Aditya-L1 Stands Apart
Aditya-L1 brings unique advantages to solar science:
Continuous Observation : From its vantage point at the Lagrange Point 1 (L1), Aditya-L1 can monitor the Sun 24/7, even during eclipses and occultations.
Unmatched Precision : Velc’s ability to simulate an eclipse allows it to observe the Sun’s corona without interference from its brighter photosphere. Unlike NASA-ESA’s Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), which obscures parts of the corona, Velc can capture the entire corona, including regions where CMEs originate.
Synergy with Ground Observatories : India’s ground-based solar observatories in Kodaikanal, Gauribidanur, and Udaipur add a complementary layer of data, enhancing the mission’s scientific output.
The Road Ahead for Solar Science and Earth’s Safety
The data from Aditya-L1 is already enhancing our understanding of solar phenomena, but this is just the beginning. By refining the ability to track individual CMEs and anticipate their impacts, missions like Aditya-L1 could help avert future disasters.
As solar activity increases in the current 11-year solar cycle, the mission’s findings will become even more critical. Its insights will not only protect infrastructure but also advance global solar science, positioning India as a key player in space exploration.
Aditya-L1’s first breakthrough underscores the transformative potential of India’s solar mission. By providing early warnings and new scientific insights, it can help safeguard modern technology from the volatile forces of the Sun. In an interconnected world increasingly reliant on space-based systems, this mission offers a shining example of how cutting-edge science can protect and benefit humanity.
