Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Recent solar storms have kept heliophysicists and aurora enthusiasts on edge, with heightened solar activity capturing global attention.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has been diligently collecting data from ground stations and spacecraft to study these solar tantrums.
Representative pic
ISRO's Thumba node of the Indian Network for Space Weather Impact Monitoring (INSWIM) recorded a significant increase in total electron content (TEC) on May 11 compared to the previous day.
ISRO's Aditya-L1 solar observatory, situated at the L1 Lagrange point, and the Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbiter have been monitoring solar activity from space.
Aditya-L1, ISRO's first sun observation mission, observed high-speed solar wind and high-temperature solar wind plasma, along with energetic ion flux, using its Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX) payload.
Aditya-L1's Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS) and High Energy L-1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) detected spikes in X-class and M-class solar flares, recorded by its magnetometer as well.
Despite being a lunar orbiter, Chandrayaan-2's Solar X-ray Monitor (XSM) observed solar flares and an increase in high-energy particles during the recent solar events.
ISRO's meticulous observations showcase its commitment to understanding solar phenomena and their potential impacts on space weather.
ISRO's efforts contribute to the global endeavour to study and forecast solar activity, crucial for space exploration and satellite operations.