In News: Indian Institute of Astrophysics Observes CME-Driven Solar Shocks Using Radio Telescope and Aditya-L1 Payload
Background:
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has successfully observed shocks driven by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun by combining data from the Gauribidanur radio telescope and the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) payload aboard the Aditya-L1 satellite. CMEs are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s corona that can trigger space weather disturbances near Earth, analogous to sonic booms in the atmosphere.
Key Features:
- Observational Facilities:
- Gauribidanur radio telescope: Operates at low frequencies (<150 MHz), located about 100 km north of Bengaluru, uniquely dedicated to solar observations.
- VELC onboard Aditya-L1: Allows direct observation of CMEs in the visible wavelength range near the Sun.
- Scientific Achievements:
- Precise determination of onset distance of CME-driven shock on May 27, 2024, at approximately 130,000 km from the Sun.
- Shock propagation speed measured at ~1,700 km/s near the Sun.
- First unambiguous observation of a CME-driven shock and associated radio transient this close to the Sun.
- Unique Capability:
- Combination of ground-based radio observations with space-based coronagraph imaging provides high-resolution tracking of CME shocks from near-Sun regions to interplanetary space.
- Future Prospects:
- Observations during Sunspot Cycle 25 may detect CME-driven shocks as close as 30,000 km from the Sun, generating a statistical dataset for understanding solar processes and their impact on near-Earth space.
Key Issues:
- Requires continuous and coordinated observations to capture dynamic solar events.
- Dependence on both ground and space-based instruments for accurate shock characterization may pose logistical and technical challenges.
Implications:
- Enhances understanding of solar physics, particularly the formation and propagation of CME-driven shocks.
- Provides critical data for space weather forecasting, which is essential for satellite operations, communication systems, and power grids on Earth.
- Contributes to scientific models of solar-terrestrial interactions.
Applications:
- Space Weather Prediction: Early warning for geomagnetic storms.
- Astrophysics Research: Studying plasma dynamics and shock acceleration mechanisms.
- Satellite and Communication Safety: Mitigation strategies for CME-induced disruptions.
Way Forward:
- Expand continuous monitoring using Gauribidanur radio telescope and VELC.
- Build a comprehensive statistical database of CME-driven shocks across multiple solar cycles.
- Integrate findings into global space weather models to improve predictive capabilities.
Institution: Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
- Established: 1786 (as Madras Observatory)
- Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Function: Conducts research in astronomy, astrophysics, and solar physics, including space-based and ground-based observational programs.
- Key Facilities: Gauribidanur Radio Observatory, Aditya-L1 mission contributions.
Updated - 26 Feb 2026; 10:22 PM | News Source: The Hindu