Rare Auroral Phenomenon Observed in Ladakh
A rare auroral phenomenon was observed in a village in Ladakh on May 10, 2024.
The sky turned red and green due to a solar storm called Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).
This phenomenon hasn’t been seen in the past 10 years.
Indian scientists, led by Dr. Wageesh Mishra, studied the aurora using data from NASA and ESA.
They used the Flux Rope Internal State (FRIS) model to map the CMEs’ temperature, magnetic fields, and structure.
The study found that CMEs didn’t cool down as expected.
Instead, they heated up midway, absorbing heat and maintaining a constant temperature.
This thermal restructuring was due to the collision of two CMEs.
When the solar storm reached Earth, it triggered geomagnetic disturbances.
The plasma covered Earth in double flux ropes, producing a spectacular light show in Ladakh.
The finding has significant implications for global space weather forecasting.
Understanding CMEs’ thermal and magnetic changes can help develop early-warning systems for power grid issues and satellite disruptions.