Thermal signatures of three decades of solar storms reveal new clues for space weather forecasting
Indian astrophysicists link the thermal state of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections to geomagnetic storm severity, adding a new variable to space weather forecasting.
- The institute conducted a long-term statistical study of ICME thermal behaviour using near-Earth solar wind observations.
- The database combines measurements from multiple spacecraft near L1 to provide solar wind conditions at Earth’s bow shock.
- Future work will use Aditya-L1 coronagraphic and solar wind instruments to track ICME thermal evolution closer to the Sun.
What happened
Indian astrophysicists have identified a new way to read the behaviour of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections (ICMEs) as they travel from the Sun to near-Earth space. The study shows that the thermal state of these solar eruptions is not a minor detail: it is linked to how strongly they can disturb Earth’s magnetic environment and trigger geomagnetic storms.
The research was conducted by scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The study is presented as the first long-term statistical investigation of ICME thermal behaviour at 1 Astronomical Unit (AU), using observations spanning 1995 to 2024 across solar cycles 23, 24, and the rising phase of 25.
UPSC can frame this topic around the physics of solar eruptions, the vulnerability of satellite-based and power infrastructure, and the role of Indian missions such as Aditya-L1 in improving space weather prediction. The issue also connects scientific research with strategic resilience for communications, aviation, navigation, and power systems.
