Fri Feb 20 20:21:52 UTC 2026: # Aditya-L1 Data Decodes Geomagnetic Disturbances During Solar Storms
The Story:
Observations from India’s Aditya-L1 solar mission have provided crucial insights into unusual geomagnetic disturbances observed during the intense solar storms of May 10 and October 10, 2024. The research, led by the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism in collaboration with ISRO scientists, reveals that these disturbances, particularly in the dawn sector, are caused by auroral current systems extending to lower latitudes due to the compression of Earth’s magnetosphere during strong storms. The findings are significant for understanding and mitigating the impact of solar events on technological systems.
Key Points:
- Aditya-L1’s data helped decode unusual dawn-time geomagnetic disturbances during strong solar storms in May and October 2024.
- During these storms, dawn-side stations recorded magnetic perturbations opposite to those observed at similar latitudes elsewhere.
- The unusual disturbances are attributed to auroral current systems extending to lower latitudes during intense geomagnetic storms.
- The research combines Aditya-L1 observations with global ground-based magnetic field measurements.
- Understanding these geomagnetic responses is crucial for protecting satellites, navigation systems, and power grids.
Key Takeaways:
- India’s Aditya-L1 mission is contributing significantly to our understanding of solar weather and its impact on Earth.
- Extreme solar events can cause localized geomagnetic disturbances that deviate from typical patterns.
- The findings highlight the importance of monitoring and predicting solar activity to protect technological infrastructure.
- International collaboration, combining space-based and ground-based observations, is essential for comprehensive space weather research.
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