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Regarding Aditya-L1, 2026 will be truly unique.

This marks the initial occasion the observatory – which was placed into space recently – will be able to watch our star when it reaches the peak of its solar cycle.

According to research, it comes approximately once every 11 years as the Sun's polarity reverses – the Earth equivalent could be the North and South poles swapping positions.

This period marked by intense activity. It sees our star changing from calm to stormy and is marked by a huge increase in the number of solar eruptions and massive solar flares – enormous clouds of fire that erupt of the Sun's outermost layer.

Made up of ionized particles, a coronal mass ejection can weigh of billions of tons and reach velocities of up to 3,000km each second. It can travel toward various directions, including towards the Earth. At top speed, the journey takes an ejection 15 hours to cover the vast distance between Earth and the Sun.

"In the normal or low-activity times, the Sun launches two to three CMEs daily," explains a leading scientist. "In 2026, it's anticipated them to be 10 or more daily."

Researching coronal mass ejections ranks among the most important research goals of India's first solar observatory. One, because the ejections provide an opportunity to learn about the Sun in the center of our planetary system, and secondly, because activities that take place on the Sun threaten infrastructure on our planet and in orbit.

Effects on Earth and Orbital Systems

CMEs rarely pose immediate danger to people, but they do affect our planet by causing magnetic disturbances that impact conditions in Earth's vicinity, where nearly 11,000 satellites, comprising many from India, are stationed.

"The most beautiful manifestations from solar eruptions include northern lights, being direct evidence that charged particles from Sun journey to Earth," the expert explains.

"But they can also make all the electronics aboard spacecraft fail, disable power grids and affect meteorological and telecom spacecraft."

Historical Solar Incidents

• The strongest solar event in history occurred during the 1859 solar superstorm which knocked out telegraph lines worldwide
• During 1989, sections of Quebec's power grid was knocked out, affecting millions in darkness for nine hours
• In November 2015, solar activity disturbed air traffic control, leading to chaos in Sweden and various European airports
• Recently in 2022, a CME caused 38 commercial satellites being lost

With capability to observe what happens in the solar atmosphere and detect solar activity or solar eruption in real time, measure its heat at the source and track its path, this serves as advanced warning to switch off power grids and spacecraft redirecting them out of harm's way.

Aditya-L1's Unique Advantage

There are other solar missions observing our star, India's spacecraft has an advantage compared to rivals regarding studying the solar atmosphere.

"The instrument has perfect dimensions enabling it to effectively simulate lunar coverage, completely blocking the Sun's photosphere and allowing it continuous observation of nearly the entire of the corona 24 hours a day, throughout the year, even during eclipses and occultations," notes the researcher.

Essentially, the coronagraph functions as an artificial Moon, obscuring the Sun's bright surface to let scientists continuously observe the dim solar atmosphere – a feat natural eclipses provide only during eclipses.

Additionally, this is the only mission capable of examining eruptions using optical wavelengths, enabling it to measure a CME's temperature and thermal output – key clues that show the intensity of an eruption if it headed toward Earth.

Preparation for Peak Period

To prepare for next year's solar maximum, researchers worked together to study the data obtained from a major solar eruption that Aditya-L1 has recorded until now.

This event began in September 2024 during early hours. Its mass totaled billions of tons – for comparison that sank Titanic was 1.5 million tonnes.

Initially, its temperature reached extreme levels and the energy content was equivalent to millions of tons of TNT – relative to nuclear weapons used in Japan were 15 kilotons and 21 kilotons each.

Although the numbers seem incredibly large, the scientist classifies it as a "medium-sized" one.

The space rock that eliminated prehistoric life on our planet was 100 million megatons and when solar peak occurs, we could see eruptions carrying power equal to greater levels.

"I consider the CME we analyzed to have occurred during periods of typical solar activity. Now this sets the benchmark that we'll be using assessing what to expect when the maximum activity cycle arrives," he states.

"The insights from this will help us work out protective measures to implement safeguarding satellites in near space. Additionally, they'll aid us gain deeper knowledge of our space environment," he concludes.