The Aditya-L1 mission, which is India’s first dedicated solar observatory, has made a remarkable discovery by capturing the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’. This unusual event was observed in the lower solar atmosphere, particularly in the photosphere and chromosphere. This finding will greatly improve scientists’ understanding of the Sun’s energy bursts and solar dynamics.
Mission Overview
- Launch Date: September 2, 2023
- Orbit Placement: January 6, 2024
- Orbit Type: Lagrange Point L1 (1.5 million km from Earth)
- Mission Objective: Continuous solar observations without eclipses or obstructions
- Aditya-L1’s strategic placement at L1 ensures uninterrupted data collection, making it an essential asset for solar research.
Key Points:
• Captured the solar flare ‘kernel’ in the Near Ultraviolet (NUV) band.
• Observes the Sun across 11 different wavelengths.
• Aids in studying various atmospheric layers.
• SoLEXS & HEL1OS: Focus on solar X-rays and monitor flare activity and energy bursts.
• Instruments offer a detailed view of solar dynamics.
• SUIT detected an X6.3-class solar flare, one of the most powerful types of eruptions.
• The brightening in the NUV range was recorded with unprecedented detail.
• This finding confirms how solar energy travels through different atmospheric layers.
• Solar flares are sudden energy bursts from the Sun’s surface.
• They result from the Sun’s dynamic magnetic field, releasing radiation and charged particles.
• These eruptions can affect Earth’s communication systems and space weather.
• Aditya-L1’s advanced instruments assist scientists in analyzing how flare energy disperses throughout the solar atmosphere.
• NUV observations of solar flares were uncommon before Aditya-L1 due to a lack of suitable telescopes.
• The latest results establish a connection between flare energy and temperature variations in the corona.
• This discovery addresses a significant gap in solar research, enhancing the accuracy of space weather predictions.
