Influence of the Sun on Earth and Space Weather
The sun plays a critical role in both supporting life on Earth and impacting technological systems. Solar phenomena like flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) can disrupt satellites, communications, navigation, and power grids. Understanding these solar activities is crucial for effective space weather forecasting.
Current State of Solar and Space Physics in India
Indian astronomers have outlined the key challenges in solar and space physics over the next decade, emphasizing the role of the scientific community in addressing them. Their findings were published in the Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy.
Key Scientific Questions and Challenges
- Understanding solar eruptions, including solar flares and CMEs, and their impact on space assets like satellites.
- Challenges in predicting CMEs due to incomplete knowledge of their connection to solar wind and magnetic structures.
- Difficulty in predicting solar flares due to limited understanding of emerging magnetic fields beneath the sun's surface.
Aditya-L1 Mission
In September 2023, ISRO launched Aditya-L1, India’s first space observatory dedicated to studying the sun. Positioned at the Lagrange point 1 (L1), Aditya-L1 aims to capture high-resolution images and spectra of the solar atmosphere.
Strategic Positions for Observation
- L1: Positioned on the sun-earth line, ideal for detecting eruptions directed toward Earth.
- L4 and L5: Located 60º ahead and behind Earth's orbit, respectively, providing early observation of solar activities.
- Potential for a "two-eye" system with spacecraft at L1 and L5, allowing 3D trajectory computations of solar events.
Future Prospects in Indian Solar Research
Ground-based Facilities
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics proposes a two-metre-class ground-based National Large Solar Telescope to study the sun’s lower atmosphere, unsuitable for space deployment.
Capacity Building and Education
- Workshops by ISRO and ARIES to train early-career researchers and students in solar physics.
- Involvement of 229 early-career researchers and 65 faculty members in solar physics across India and abroad.
- Expansion of community through hiring faculty, developing programs, public engagement, and industry partnerships.
Technological and Infrastructure Needs
- Need for a national network of advanced supercomputing facilities for analyzing complex data from telescopes and space missions.
Private Sector Involvement
Opening India’s space sector to private companies could lead to innovations in modeling solar storms and predicting space weather, contributing to self-reliance in understanding the solar-terrestrial relationship.
Conclusion
With a growing community of experts, new facilities, and strategic initiatives, India aims to advance significantly in solar physics and space weather understanding, fostering self-reliance over the next decade.