Context:
ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission has provided crucial insights into how solar storms affect Earth’s magnetic field, based on a study published in The Astrophysical Journal (December) analysing a major space weather event in October 2024.
Key Highlights:
- Scientific Breakthrough
- Study used data from Aditya-L1 along with international space missions.
- Observed a turbulent plasma region within a solar storm compressing Earth’s magnetic field.
- Magnetic compression exposed geostationary satellites to intensified radiation.
- Impact on Earth’s Magnetosphere
- Solar storm pushed Earth’s magnetopause closer.
- Intensification of currents in the auroral region.
- Possible heating of the upper atmosphere.
- Increased risk of atmospheric escape and satellite drag.
- Space Weather Risks
- Solar plasma eruptions can disrupt:
- Communication systems
- Navigation (GPS)
- Power grids
- Satellite operations
- Highlights vulnerability of space-based infrastructure.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Aditya-L1 Mission:
- India’s first dedicated solar observatory mission.
- Positioned at Lagrange Point L1 (~1.5 million km from Earth).
- Studies solar corona, solar wind, and space weather.
- Solar Storm:
- Disturbance on the Sun emitting charged particles and radiation.
- Includes Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and solar flares.
- Geostationary Orbit (GEO):
- ~35,786 km above Earth.
- Satellite appears stationary relative to Earth.
- Auroral Region:
- High-latitude areas near poles.
- Site of aurora borealis and aurora australis.
- Magnetosphere:
- Region dominated by Earth’s magnetic field protecting against solar wind.
Relevant Mains Points:
GS 1 – Physical Geography
- Interaction between solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere.
- Magnetic reconnection and auroral current intensification.
- Impact on upper atmospheric dynamics.
GS 3 – Science & Technology
- Importance of space weather forecasting.
- Protection of critical infrastructure:
- Satellites
- Aviation routes
- Power transmission networks.
- Indigenous capability enhances India’s role in global space research collaborations.
- Strategic dimension:
- Space situational awareness critical for defence and navigation systems.
- Way Forward
- Strengthen early warning systems for geomagnetic storms.
- Enhance satellite shielding and resilience.
- Expand international data-sharing frameworks.
- Integrate space weather monitoring into disaster management planning.
UPSC Relevance:
Space technology, Magnetosphere dynamics, Solar-terrestrial interactions, Protection of satellite infrastructure, India’s space research advancements.