India’s Aditya-L1 cracks the mystery behind powerful solar storm of 2024

The 2024 solar storm was unusually powerful and highly complex. (Image: Canva)

India’s Aditya‑L1 mission helped decode an unusually powerful solar storm which took place in 2024. The scientists discovered why the geomagnetic storm struck Earth with unexpected strength. The findings mark a milestone in global solar and space research.

The 2024 solar storm was unusually powerful and highly complex. Two massive coronal mass ejections collided en route to Earth. This collision triggered internal magnetic reconnection inside the storm itself.

Magnetic field lines snapped and reconnected, amplifying the storm’s impact. The affected zone spanned 1.3 million kilometres, which is almost 100 Earth diameters.

Aditya‑L1 worked alongside 6 international satellites including NASA and NOAA. Global collaboration allowed multiple perspectives on the storm’s magnetic structure.

ISRO provided unique high-resolution measurements of the event. Simultaneous observations were crucial to understanding the storm’s internal dynamics.

Gannon’s Storm caused by a massive coronal mass ejection from the Sun. The storm was a powerful geomagnetic event impacting Earth’s magnetosphere.

This unusual behaviour made Gannon’s Storm stronger than most storms recorded.  Such activity makes predicting storm intensity challenging for scientists worldwide. It was the strongest solar storm observed in over two decades.

Understanding internal reconnection improves forecasting of extreme space weather events. Power grids, satellites, communications and GPS systems benefit from protection. It reveals the need for advanced monitoring to mitigate storm impacts. The 2024 solar superstorm shows the importance of advanced space monitoring.

The observatory can track solar storms and predict geomagnetic activity early. It strengthens India’s role in international space science and collaboration. Future missions can rely on precise data for Earth and space safety. Aditya‑L1 proves crucial for studying rare, high-impact solar phenomena globally.