The Indian Astronomical Observatory has recently captured a breathtaking phenomenon of aurora in the skies of Ladakh, India. This rare spectacle occurred due to a geomagnetic storm hitting Earth’s magnetic field. There was a display of vibrant colors on April 22-23 night. A coronal mass ejection, or CME, coming from the Sun is something that is behind the April 21 phenomenon.
What is an Aurora and How is it Created?
Aurora is a natural light display in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. The alternative name for these auroras is northern and southern lights, When charged particles or plasma from the Sun collide with the Earth’s magnetic field, this kind of event occurs. The charged particles get trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field. They travel toward the poles. When these particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, they emit colorful light displays, creating auroras.
The Effects of a Geomagnetic Storm
At its release, CME sends billions of tons of charged particles hurtling into space at incredible speeds. These particles can travel up to 3 million kilometers/hour. If they’re aimed in the direction of Earth, they can cause all sorts of effects at arrival. One of the most significant effects of a CME hitting Earth is a geomagnetic storm. A geomagnetic storm is a disturbance in the Earth’s magnetic field. It takes place because of the arrival of a CME’s charged particles. When these particles collide with the Earth’s magnetic field, they can cause electrical disturbances of all kinds.
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The Rare Phenomenon in Ladakh
The April 21 geomagnetic storm was particularly intense. It led to an excellent night for auroral activity. The aurora was visible at lower-than-usual latitudes. It caused rare sightings in Europe, China, and India’s Ladakh. Indian Astronomical Observatory captured an aurora for the very first time. The 360-degree camera atop the IAO in Ladakh Hanle captured the mysterious phenomenon in all its glory.
The Significance of the Aurora in Ladakh
The sighting of auroras in Ladakh has been an unprecedented event. Why? because auroras are typically seen at higher latitudes in countries such as Norway, Alaska, etc. This unique phenomenon has opened up doors for new avenues for research and study in India.
The recent aurora sighting in Ladakh is a rare and unprecedented event. It has created new opportunities for research and study in India. It highlights how important it is to study the space climate. Also, how it affects our Earth’s magnetic field. Both of these have substantial ramifications for our daily lives.
