The Union Budget 2026 has approved the establishment of the National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) and the National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT), along with the upgrade of the Himalayan Chandra Telescope in Ladakh. Leveraging the region’s high altitude, dry atmosphere, and clear skies, these facilities will strengthen India’s capabilities in solar studies, space weather monitoring, exoplanet detection, and deep-space research. The projects will enhance indigenous technological expertise, provide greater access to Indian scientists, support major missions like Aditya-L1 and LIGO-India, and position India as a key global hub for advanced observational astronomy.
Click to View MoreCoronal Mass Ejections are massive eruptions of magnetized plasma from the Sun’s corona that can travel through space and impact Earth. They are caused by magnetic instabilities and reconnection in the solar atmosphere. CMEs can trigger geomagnetic storms, auroras, satellite disruptions, and power grid failures. Studying them is crucial for space-weather forecasting, protecting technology, astronaut safety, and understanding planetary habitability. Recent observations, including the first CME detected on a red dwarf star, highlight their significance for both solar physics and exoplanet research.
Click to View MoreSolar physics is the study of the Sun’s structure, activity, and its impact on the solar system. Key phenomena include solar flares—sudden bursts of radiation—and coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—large eruptions of charged particles. These events influence space weather, affecting satellites, communication, and power systems on Earth. India’s Aditya-L1 mission, launched in 2023, is the country’s first dedicated solar observatory positioned at the Lagrange Point 1 (L1), enabling continuous and detailed observation of solar activity. Aditya-L1’s instruments help scientists understand how solar flares and CMEs form and evolve, improving space weather forecasts and protecting technology. The mission strengthens India’s capabilities in solar research and contributes valuable data to global scientific efforts.
Click to View MoreNASA's TRACERS mission aims to study Sun-Earth interactions, improve space weather prediction, and protect global infrastructure. The mission focuses on examining key phenomena like magnetic reconnection and cusp electrodynamics. Space weather affects life on Earth through power grids, satellite operations, communication, and human health, as strong solar storms can damage satellites and disrupt navigation.
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