Context: Favourable space weather was necessary for the success of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISROs) first ever “docking mission” on Thursday. The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) made India only the fourth country to achieve the technological challenging feat of bringing together two fast-moving satellites in space. Precision docking is very challenging, even under normal circumstances. During severe space weather, when the space environment is disturbed, the task becomes even more difficult. Enhanced high radiation associated with strong flares from the Sun can blind sensors and interfere with electronic control systems.
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Key points
·Space weather: Space weather refers to the varying conditions within the solar system produced by the Sun's activity. It's analogous to the terrestrial weather on Earth, but with differences in its components (radiation and particles instead of water, temperature, and air) and effects on different technologies.
· Types of space weather:
Solar wind - The Sun's continuous stream of charged particles, impacting Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.
Solar flares - Powerful bursts of radiation originating from the Sun, causing auroras, radio disruptions, and damage to electronic devices.
Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) - Large, intense bursts of plasma and magnetic field expelled by the Sun, affecting Earth's magnetic field and triggering geomagnetic storms.
Geomagnetic storms - Strong disturbances in Earth's magnetic field caused by CME impacts, affecting navigation, power grids, and other technologies.
·Protection from space weather: Earth has an area of magnetic force activity, called a magnetic field, protects from most of the solar wind blast. Most of the charged particles crash into Earth’s shield and flow around it. Sometimes charged particles sneak past Earth’s shield. When these particles hit the atmosphere, we are treated to glowing light shows known as auroras.
·Affect of space weather:
Impacts satellites and communication systems - High-energy particles from solar flares and CMEs can damage satellite antennas and disrupt radio communication.
Causes power grid disruptions - Geomagnetic storms can cause abnormal electrical currents, compromising power grids and impacting energy supply.
·Prediction & monitoring: The National Space Weather Service (NSS) at NOAA monitors space weather and provides information to various agencies and industries. Space weather observatories around the globe collect data on the Sun's activities and the solar wind.
·Future of space weather research: Understanding the mechanisms of space weather and its complex interactions with Earth is a significant challenge. Developing robust forecasting and prediction systems for extreme space weather events remains a complex task. Researchers are also exploring ways to mitigate the effects of space weather on critical infrastructure and technologies.
·Ways to mitigate: Organizations are developing emergency plans and protocols to protect critical infrastructure during and after space weather events. Individuals can minimize exposure to space weather by staying indoors during major storms and minimizing reliance on electronic devices. Staying informed about space weather conditions through reliable sources can help individuals take precautions and protect themselves.
