India’s Aditya-L1 space mission has recorded an unprecedented solar flare phenomenon, marking a significant advancement in solar research. The Solar Ultra-violet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) captured a detailed image of an X6.3-class solar flare on February 22, 2024, in the Near Ultra-violet (NUV) spectrum. Launched by ISRO on September 2, 2023, the observatory’s position at the Earth-Sun Lagrange Point enables uninterrupted observation of solar activity. Key findings indicate a correlation between lower solar atmosphere brightening and increased plasma temperature, offering new insights into solar dynamics and improving space weather prediction, ultimately enhancing understanding of solar effects on Earth.
India’s solar observatory in space, Aditya-L1, has observed an unprecedented solar flare phenomenon, signaling a significant advancement in solar research. The Solar Ultra-violet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) aboard the spacecraft successfully captured an image of a solar flare ‘kernel’ in the lower layers of the solar atmosphere. This observation was conducted in the Near Ultra-violet (NUV) spectrum, offering vital insights into solar activities and their potential implications for Earth. Launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on September 2, 2023, the mission continues to yield important scientific data.
Findings from the Study
As per research published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, the SUIT instrument detected an X6.3-class solar flare on February 22, 2024. This flare, among the most intense solar eruptions, was analyzed in the NUV wavelength range (200-400 nm) for the first time at such granularity. The data collected indicates that energy from the flare propagates through various atmospheric layers, supporting existing theories on solar dynamics while providing fresh insights into plasma behavior.
How Aditya-L1 Observes Solar Flares
Situated at the first Earth-Sun Lagrange Point (L1), approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, Aditya-L1 facilitates continuous solar observation. The SUIT payload, developed by the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in partnership with ISRO, is capable of capturing high-resolution images across 11 distinct NUV bands. Additional instruments onboard, such as the Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS) and the High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS), monitor solar X-ray emissions, allowing for a comprehensive examination of flare activity.
Key Scientific Implications
The observations confirmed that the brightening seen in the lower solar atmosphere during the flare was linked to a rise in plasma temperature in the solar corona. These findings support established theories regarding solar flares while introducing new data that could enhance the understanding of solar physics. Researchers anticipate that this could improve predictions related to space weather, which influences satellite communications and Earth’s magnetic field.
Future Prospects of Aditya-L1
With its sophisticated instruments fully operational, Aditya-L1 is poised to transform the landscape of solar physics research. The mission’s data is expected to make a significant contribution to international studies on solar behavior, fostering a deeper comprehension of the Sun’s influence on space and Earth’s environment.