Aurorae Sightings in Ladakh Validate Space Weather Tracking Efforts
Aurorae Sightings in Ladakh Validate Space Weather Tracking Efforts
Sub : Geo
Sec : Geomorphology
Why in News
The recent sightings of aurorae in Ladakh, typically observed in far northern regions, have validated India’s space weather tracking efforts. A team of Indian astrophysicists predicted the event 48-72 hours in advance, showcasing progress in forecasting space weather, which can have significant effects on satellite-based services.
About Auroras:
Auroras are natural light displays that occur when charged particles from solar winds interact with the Earth’s magnetosphere.
- The magnetosphere is the region surrounding the Earth where the dominant magnetic field is the Earth’s, rather than the magnetic field of interplanetary Space.
- It protects the Earth against solar winds and is strongest at the poles.
These particles travel along the Earth’s magnetic field and upon colliding with atmospheric molecules and atoms, cause emissions of light seen as auroras.
In North Pole- Aurora Borealis
In South Pole- Aurora Australis
What Causes Aurorae in Ladakh?
The aurorae in Ladakh were triggered by solar storms, particularly coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These CMEs are massive bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields rising above the Sun’s corona, released into space.
Solar activity intensifies and weakens in an 11-year solar cycle, driven by the Sun’s internal magnetic field. The current solar activity cycle was predicted to peak in 2024, leading to more frequent and intense space weather phenomena.
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun’s corona.
Impact of Solar Storms:
The CMEs, travelling at high speeds (700- 815km/second), significantly disturbed the Earth’s magnetic field, affecting the space weather.
This activity was part of a series of solar flares and storms predicted to continue affecting the Earth around this period.
The intense solar storms pose risks to satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (an altitude ranging between 200-1,600km), affecting their operations due to induced heating in the upper atmosphere and potential drag effects.
This can result in radiation hazards and physical damage to satellites, potentially compromising navigation, communication, military, and intelligence systems relying on these satellites.
Importance of the Observation
The sightings were captured by all-sky cameras operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) at Hanle and Merak in Ladakh.
These observations highlight the success of space weather monitoring efforts in India and are a significant validation of the accuracy of predictions made by Indian astrophysicists.
About Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO):IAO is a high-altitude astronomy station operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.
IAO stands on Mt. Saraswati, Digpa-ratsa Ri, Hanle in the south-eastern Ladakh Union territory of India.
- Nyoma, 75 km northwest of Hanle, has an Indian military airbase.
Situated in the Western Himalayas at an elevation of 4,500 meters (14,764 ft), the IAO is one of the world’s highest-located sites for optical, infrared and gamma-ray telescopes.
It is currently the tenth-highest optical telescope in the world.
- It is India’s first dark-sky reserve.
- Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in Changthang plateau is also located here.
The Observatory has several active telescopes. These are the 2.01 meter optical-infrared Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT), GROWTH-India telescope, Cassegrain telescope, and a High-Altitude Gamma Ray Telescope (HAGAR).
The HCT is remotely operated from Bangalore from the Centre for Research and Education in Science and Technology (CREST) using a dedicated satellite link.