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Regarding Aditya-L1, 2026 will be like no other.

This marks the initial occasion the observatory – that entered into space recently – will be able to observe our star when it reaches the peak of its solar cycle.

As per research, this occurs approximately once every 11 years when the Sun's polarity reverses – a similar Earth scenario could be the planet's poles swapping positions.

It's a time marked by intense activity. It involves our star transition from peaceful to violent and features a huge increase in the number of solar eruptions and massive solar flares – enormous clouds of fire that blow out from the solar corona.

Composed of ionized particles, a coronal mass ejection can weigh of billions of tons and reach a speed exceeding 2,000 miles each second. It can travel toward various directions, including towards our planet. At top speed, the journey takes an ejection about half a day to traverse the 150 million km between Earth and the Sun.

"During typical or low-activity times, our star emits a few solar eruptions a day," explains an astrophysics expert. "Next year, it's anticipated there will be 10 or more daily."

Researching CMEs ranks among the most important research goals for the Indian maiden solar mission. One, as these eruptions provide an opportunity to study the star at the centre of our planetary system, and secondly, since events that take place on the solar surface endanger systems on our planet and in orbit.

Effects on Earth and Orbital Systems

Coronal mass ejections rarely pose immediate danger to human life, yet they impact our planet through generating magnetic disturbances that impact conditions in Earth's vicinity, where nearly thousands of spacecraft, comprising Indian satellites, orbit.

"The most spectacular displays from solar eruptions include northern lights, which are a clear example that solar particles from Sun journey toward our planet," the scientist explains.

"But they can also cause electronic systems aboard spacecraft malfunction, knock down electrical networks and disrupt meteorological and telecom spacecraft."

Historical Solar Incidents

• The strongest solar storm ever recorded occurred during the Carrington Event which knocked out telegraph lines worldwide
• In 1989, sections of Canadian electrical network was knocked out, leaving millions without power for nine hours
• In November 2015, solar storms disrupted flight operations, leading to chaos in Sweden and various European air hubs
• In February 2022, an ejection had led to 38 commercial satellites failing

With capability to observe events on the Sun's corona and spot a solar storm or a coronal mass ejection as it happens, measure its heat at the source and track its trajectory, it can work as a forewarning to switch off power grids and satellites redirecting them out of harm's way.

Aditya-L1's Unique Advantage

There are other solar missions watching our star, Aditya-L1 holds an edge over others when it comes to watching the corona.

"Aditya-L1's coronagraph is the exact size that lets it nearly mimic the Moon, completely blocking the Sun's photosphere and allowing it an uninterrupted view of almost all of the corona 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including during eclipses and occultations," notes the researcher.

Essentially, the coronagraph acts like a synthetic eclipse, blocking the Sun's bright surface to let scientists constantly study its faint outer corona – something the real Moon provide only during eclipses.

Additionally, it's unique that can study eruptions in visible light, enabling it to measure a CME's temperature and heat energy – key clues that show the intensity of an eruption if it headed toward Earth.

Preparation for Maximum Activity

To prepare for next year's peak solar activity period, researchers collaborated to study the data gathered from one of the largest CMEs recorded by the mission has observed recently.

It originated in September 2024 during early hours. Its mass totaled billions of tons – the iceberg that struck the ship was 1.5 million tonnes.

At origin, its temperature reached extreme levels with energy equivalent was equivalent to 2.2 million megatons of TNT – relative to the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were 15 kilotons in scale respectively.

Even though these figures seem massive, the expert classifies it as a moderate event.

The asteroid that eliminated prehistoric life on our planet carried enormous energy and when solar peak occurs, there may be eruptions carrying power matching even more than that.

"I consider the CME we analyzed happened during periods of typical solar activity. Now this sets the standard that we'll be using assessing what to expect during solar maximum occurs," he says.

"The learnings gained will help us work out the countermeasures to be adopted safeguarding satellites in orbit. They will also help us gain a better understanding of near-Earth space," he adds.