Dr. Annapoorni Subramanian and NDTV Science Editor Pallava Bagla in Merak village, Ladakh.
Merak Village, Ladakh:
US scientists have warned that a massive solar storm is about to hit Earth and it could disrupt electronic communications. What is its impact in India?
NDTV’s science editor Pallava Bagla went high up in Ladakh, India’s solar observatory, and spoke to Dr. Annapoorni Subramanian, director of the Indian Astrophysical Institute, to understand the situation.
A solar storm is a sudden burst of particles, energy, magnetic fields, and material blasted into the Solar System by the Sun.
The coming solar storm will disrupt telecommunications and satellites. Indian scientists are monitoring it and Indian satellite operators have been told to take all precautions, Indian Space Research Center (ISRO) experts said. The next few days are crucial for Earth as the storm heads towards the Blue Planet.
“The (solar) flare a few days ago was similar in strength to the one in May,” Dr Subramanian said.
“So we’re expecting some interference in the magnetosphere. But we want to wait because it takes a few days to hit Earth. We’re hoping to do something tonight or tomorrow night to see if anything happens,” he said. was added.
“There are predictions that it may or may not happen, we will have to wait and see,” Dr Subramanian said.
A strong solar storm in May produced aurora displays across the Northern Hemisphere.
When directed toward Earth, a solar storm can create a large disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field, known as a geomagnetic storm, which can produce effects such as radio blackouts, power outages, and beautiful auroras.
They do not directly harm anyone on Earth, however, the planet’s magnetic field and atmosphere protect us from these storms.
