Aditya-L1 Captures First Solar Flare Kernel Image

Why in the News?

ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission made a historic breakthrough by capturing the first-ever image of a solar flare kernel. The SUIT payload observed an X6.3-class solar flare, providing new insights into solar explosions and their impact on Earth’s space environment.

Aditya-L1 Captures First Solar Flare Kernel Image

Breakthrough Observation by Aditya-L1:

  • ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission, India’s first space-based solar observatory, has made a historic discovery by capturing the first-ever image of a solar flare kernel.
  • The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) payload recorded this observation in the photosphere and chromosphere—the lower layers of the Sun’s atmosphere.
  • This marks a significant advancement in understanding solar flares and their impact on Earth.

Key Highlights of the Solar Flare Observation:

  • On February 22, 2024, Aditya-L1 detected an 3-class solar flare, one of the most intense solar eruptions.
  • The unique aspect of this observation is that SUIT detected brightening in the Near Ultraviolet (200-400 nm) range, never observed before in such detail.
  • The data confirms that the flare’s energy spreads through multiple solar layers, providing deeper insights into solar explosion mechanisms.
  • A major finding is that localized brightening in the lower solar atmosphere corresponds with rising plasma temperatures in the solar corona, proving a direct linkage between flare energy and temperature evolution.

Significance and Mission Details

  • These findings validate existing theories while offering new data to refine solar physics.
  • The Aditya-L1 mission was launched on September 2, 2023, and reached its halo orbit at Lagrange Point L1 on January 6, 2024.
  • The mission continues to provide crucial insights into solar activity, enhancing our understanding of space weather and its effects on Earth.

About Aditya-L1 Mission: India’s First Solar Observatory:

  • Launch & Objective:
  • Launched: September 2, 2023.
  • Goal: Study the Sun from 1.5 million km away.
  • Reached Lagrange Point L1: January 6, 2024.
  • Scientific Payloads:
  • Features multiple instruments; SUIT captures Near Ultraviolet (NUV) images.
  • Enables detailed solar flare observations.
  • Solar Flare Discovery:
  • Observed X6.3-class flare on February 22, 2025.
  • Confirmed flare energy-temperature correlation, refining solar physics theories.
  • Significance:
  • Helps understand space weather impacts on Earth.
  •  Aids fusion energy research and advances solar astrophysics.