In a stunning display of nature’s beauty, rare celestial lights, known as auroras, have been observed in Ladakh following intense solar storms. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru and the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) in Mumbai have captured these breathtaking phenomena in the skies over Hanle and Leh.
As the Sun enters an active phase, it releases charged particles toward Earth, leading to this spectacular light show. While auroras are typically visible near the polar regions, this year’s unprecedented solar activity has allowed these vibrant displays to be seen as far south as Leh.
On the night of October 10-11, 2024, researchers at the IIA reported the fourth occurrence of intense red auroral activity during the current solar cycle. Using all-sky cameras stationed at the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Hanle and the proposed site for the National Large Solar Telescope in Merak, the scientists captured a time-lapse video of the auroras from approximately 10:45 PM until dawn.
“The Sun is currently active, and there have been several intense flares in the last few months. These flares are so intense that we can witness auroras even in the lower northern latitudes such as Hanle,” explained Professor Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of IIA.
The auroras, which were clearly visible to the naked eye, exhibited bright red emissions in the northern sky. The observatory staff successfully photographed these stunning lights, creating a remarkable visual record of the event. Dorje Angchuk, Engineer-in-charge of the IAO, noted that “our staff at Hanle could see the aurora easily with their unaided eyes and managed to photograph it as well.”
According to Professor Dibyendu Nandi from the Center of Excellence in Space Sciences India (CESSI) at IISER Kolkata, sightings of auroras at such low latitudes are extremely rare and typically occur only during severe geomagnetic storms. The Space Weather Group had predicted this storm, which is classified as a G4 storm on the geomagnetic scale, indicating severe activity.
The storm was caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME) that interacted with Earth’s magnetosphere, resulting in significant fluctuations in the magnetic field and enhanced auroral activity. BARC has been monitoring the impact of such solar phenomena, noting that the excitation of oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the upper atmosphere produces the vibrant colors seen in auroras.
However, solar storms can also have serious repercussions, including disruptions to high-frequency radio communications and increased radiation risks to satellites. BARC highlighted the need for continuous monitoring and preparedness due to the potential impacts of space weather phenomena on critical infrastructure and global communication systems.
As scientists continue to study these events, the recent auroras over Ladakh serve as a reminder of the dynamic relationship between the Sun and Earth, and the incredible natural displays that can occur as a result of solar activity.
Sources By Agencies
