A spectacular celestial event has unfolded over Ladakh as the Sun, in an active phase, released a massive solar storm, sending charged particles towards Earth. This solar activity, usually responsible for the auroral displays near the poles, has been so intense this year that these lights have been seen as far south as Leh, Ladakh. The phenomenon presented stunning red skies, captured by scientists and astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai.
A Rare Sight in Lower Latitudes
On the night of October 10-11, 2024, an extraordinary auroral display was observed in Hanle, Leh, and Merak. “For the fourth time in this solar cycle, intense red-coloured auroras were visible in Ladakh,” confirmed Professor Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of IIA. The auroras were so bright that they were visible to the naked eye, and time-lapse videos were recorded by all-sky cameras stationed in Hanle and Merak.
Dorje Angchuk, Engineer-in-charge at the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) at Hanle, described how the aurora, starting around 10:45 PM, remained intense until dawn. “Our staff witnessed the aurora and managed to photograph it,” he added.
Solar Activity Behind the Light Show
This stunning display was triggered by a G4-class geomagnetic storm, one of the most severe classifications. The storm was caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun, which impacted Earth’s magnetosphere, resulting in significant magnetic fluctuations. Scientists from BARC explained how the storm excited oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the upper atmosphere, leading to the rare red auroras seen in Ladakh. “These storms are rare at such latitudes unless driven by extreme geomagnetic activity,” said Professor Dibyendu Nandi from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata.
Potential Risks and Monitoring Efforts
While the visual spectacle of the auroras was mesmerizing, these solar storms can have far-reaching consequences. According to BARC, such events can disrupt high-frequency radio communications, crucial for aviation and maritime sectors, and pose risks to satellite electronics due to the increased particle flux. However, Dr. S. Somanath, Chairman of ISRO, reassured that all Indian satellites remain unaffected by the storm.
BARC’s Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) telescope in Hanle, which monitors gamma-ray bursts, played a key role in tracking this event. The storm underscored the importance of continuous monitoring of space weather, as such events can impact global communication systems and critical infrastructure.
This rare auroral sighting in Ladakh highlights both the beauty and potential risks of space weather phenomena, emphasizing the need for sustained preparedness in the face of solar activity.
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