A few days ago, India witnessed a phenomenon never seen before: the northern lights gracing the skies of Ladakh, courtesy of solar wind. Typically, these lights dazzle the skies over Antarctica, but in the millennia of our history, this was their first appearance in India and this is just the beginning. NASA forecasts that between 2024 and 2026, solar activity within the Sun will rise sharply. During this period, solar rays will strike Earth in various locations, potentially gifting us with even more spectacular displays of this celestial wonder.
Typically, the aurora, or Northern Lights, are visible at higher altitudes in Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and similar regions. However, the Indian Astronomical Observatory atop Mount Saraswati recently recorded a rare phenomenon: a geomagnetic storm impacting Earth's magnetic field. This storm caused charged particles from the Sun to collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth's atmosphere, creating the auroras. These lights are usually seen near Earth's magnetic poles, and clear skies enhance their visibility.
A 360-degree camera atop the Indian Astronomical Observatory captured this magical event. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics explained that the aurora lights appeared due to a powerful interaction between the Sun’s plasma waves and Earth's magnetic field. They noted that a coronal mass ejection (CME) was launched from the Sun and struck Earth's magnetic field at a speed of 2,160,000 kilometers per hour.
During a coronal mass ejection, billions of charged particles are blasted into space at incredible speeds, some reaching up to 3 million kilometers per hour. When these particles approach Earth, they disrupt its magnetic field, creating the aurora lights.
Observatory officials noted that the conditions for observing the aurora were ideal: clear skies, no clouds, and complete darkness. Capturing this rare aurora event on camera in India is significant for several reasons. Firstly, auroras are typically seen in polar regions, making their appearance in India quite surprising. Secondly, the aurora is considered one of the most beautiful natural light displays in the world. Furthermore, this occurrence in India provides a valuable opportunity for scientific research.
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