🔗 Share this article

Regarding India's first solar observatory, 2026 is expected to be like no other.

It's the first time the observatory – that entered into space recently – will be able to observe the Sun when it reaches the peak of its solar cycle.

As per scientific data, this occurs roughly every 11 years when the Sun's polarity reverses – a similar Earth scenario could be the planet's poles changing places.

It's a time marked by intense activity. It sees the Sun changing from peaceful to violent and features a significant rise in the number of solar storms and massive solar flares – enormous clouds of fire that erupt of the Sun's outermost layer.

Made up of ionized particles, a coronal mass ejection can weigh up to a trillion kilograms and reach velocities exceeding 2,000 miles each second. It can head out in any direction, including towards our planet. At maximum velocity, the journey takes a CME about half a day to cover the vast distance Earth-Sun distance.

"In the normal or low-activity times, our star emits a few solar eruptions daily," explains an astrophysics expert. "In 2026, we expect there will be over ten each day."

Researching coronal mass ejections is one of the most important research goals of India's first solar observatory. Firstly, because the ejections provide an opportunity to learn about the star in the center of our solar system, and secondly, because activities occurring on the solar surface threaten systems on our planet and in space.

Effects on Our Planet and Space Infrastructure

Coronal mass ejections seldom present a direct threat to human life, yet they impact life on Earth by causing magnetic disturbances affecting conditions in near space, where nearly thousands of spacecraft, including Indian satellites, are stationed.

"The most beautiful manifestations of a CME include northern lights, which are direct evidence that solar particles from our star journey toward our planet," the expert explains.

"However, they may cause electronic systems on a satellite fail, knock down electrical networks and disrupt weather and communication satellites."

Historical Solar Incidents

• The most powerful solar storm in history was the 1859 solar superstorm that disabled telegraph lines worldwide
• In 1989, sections of Quebec's power grid failed, leaving millions without power for nine hours
• During late 2015, solar activity disrupted air traffic control, causing disruption in Sweden and various European airports
• Recently in 2022, a CME had led to 38 commercial satellites failing

With capability to observe what happens on the Sun's corona and spot a solar storm or solar eruption in real time, record its temperature at origin and track its trajectory, it can work as a forewarning to shut down electrical systems and spacecraft redirecting them to safety.

Aditya-L1's Unique Advantage

While other space observatories observing the Sun, India's spacecraft holds an edge compared to rivals regarding studying the solar atmosphere.

"The instrument has perfect dimensions that lets it nearly mimic the Moon, fully covering the solar disk permitting continuous observation of nearly the entire of the corona 24 hours a day, throughout the year, including during eclipses and occultations," says the researcher.

Essentially, the coronagraph functions as a synthetic eclipse, obscuring the Sun's bright surface to let scientists continuously observe its faint outer corona – a feat natural eclipses provide only during specific moments.

Moreover, it's unique capable of examining solar events using optical wavelengths, letting it determine eruption heat and thermal output – crucial data indicating the intensity a CME would be if it headed our direction.

Readiness for Peak Period

In preparation for the upcoming solar maximum, researchers collaborated to study the data obtained from one of the largest CMEs recorded by the mission has observed recently.

It originated in September 2024 during early hours. Its mass was 270 million tonnes – the iceberg that struck the ship weighed much less.

Initially, the heat reached extreme levels and the energy content was equivalent to millions of tons of explosives – in comparison the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were much smaller and 21 kilotons respectively.

Even though the numbers seem massive, the scientist describes it as a moderate event.

The asteroid that eliminated the dinosaurs on Earth was 100 million megatons and during solar peak occurs, there may be CMEs carrying power equal to even more than that.

"In my view the CME we analyzed to have occurred when the Sun was in the normal activity phase. This establishes the benchmark that we'll be using to evaluate what is in store when the maximum activity cycle arrives," he says.

"The learnings gained will help us work out the countermeasures to implement safeguarding spacecraft in near space. They will also help us gain a better understanding of near-Earth space," he adds.