Aditya-L1 observations show solar eruptions expand asymmetrically
The discovery regarding coronal mass ejection expansion could improve understanding of space-weather disturbances that affect satellites and communication networks.
India's first space-based solar observatory, Aditya-L1, has revealed that coronal mass ejections (CMEs) do not expand uniformly, according to a Ministry of Science & Technology statement on Tuesday.
The Hawk reported that these massive solar eruptions expand asymmetrically, a finding that could impact how their speed and arrival times at Earth are predicted.
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) used the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) on Aditya-L1 alongside NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) data and 3-D modelling to reconstruct CME geometry.
Jayant Joshi of the IIA, a co-author of the study in Astrophysical Journal Letters, said the uneven shape of an early CME can influence how it interacts with solar wind and experiences drag.
The Aditya-L1 satellite, launched in September 2023, is currently operational at the Sun–Earth L1 point and carries 7 payloads, including the VELC.
Researchers intend to apply this modelling technique to other CMEs to determine their movement without needing to depend solely on multi-viewpoint imaging from various space telescopes.