India’s PAPA detects coronal mass ejections

PAPA detects impact of coronal mass ejections on solar wind

Recently Aditya-L1’s PAPA payload detected impact of coronal mass ejections on solar wind. One of the key payloads aboard Aditya-L1 is the Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA). PAPA is an energy and mass analyzer designed to study the solar wind plasma through in-situ measurements of electrons and ions.

The Aditya-L1 mission is India’s first dedicated space-based solar observation mission, launched on September 2, 2023 at 11:50 am IST (06:20 GMT) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. The spacecraft is placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point L1 of the Sun-Earth system, which provides the advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation or eclipses.

What is PAPA and its purpose in the Aditya-L1 mission?

PAPA stands for Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya. It is one of the payloads on the Aditya-L1 spacecraft designed to study the solar wind plasma.

Specifically, PAPA provides crucial in-situ measurements of solar wind electrons and ions. It consists of two sensors – the Solar Wind Electron Energy Probe (SWEEP) and the Solar Wind Ion Composition Analyser (SWICAR). These sensors can detect electrons in the energy range of 10 eV to 3 keV and ions from 10 eV/q to 15 keV/q.

By analyzing the energy distribution and composition of solar wind particles, PAPA will significantly enhance understanding of coronal mass ejections, solar flares, and other energetic phenomena on the Sun. Its observations are critical to understand the mysteries of coronal heating and solar wind acceleration.

How does PAPA contribute to understanding solar phenomena?

PAPA contribute to understand solar phenomena, as an in-situ instrument, PAPA directly detect solar wind particles approaching the spacecraft’s location near L1 point. This provides a new understanding on solar eruptions like coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their propagation through interplanetary space.

Specifically, PAPA can observe the impact of CMEs on solar wind properties. As a CME passes the spacecraft, PAPA registers abrupt changes in the flux, speed, density and composition of solar wind ions and electrons.

Analyzing these signatures leads to better models of CME initiation and propagation. This is invaluable to predict their geomagnetic consequences on Earth. PAPA’s observations will also clarify the relationship between solar flares and CMEs.

Therfore, PAPA will significantly boost capabilities to forecast space weather events like solar storms. This will help protect vital technological assets in space and on ground from being damaged by solar activity.

How does PAPA work and what data does it collect?

PAPA consists of two sensors – Solar Wind Electron Energy Probe (SWEEP) and Solar Wind Ion Composition Analyser (SWICAR). Both sensors work on the principle of electrostatic deflection of charged particles by applying electric and magnetic fields.

SWEEP can measure electrons with energies between 10 eV to 3 keV. It determines the velocity distribution functions and flux values of solar wind electron beams.

SWICAR is an ion mass spectrometer that can analyze low-energy ions in the range of 10 eV/q to 15 keV/q. By measuring the energy, mass, charge state and angular distributions of solar wind ions, SWICAR can derive bulk parameters like velocity, density and temperature.

Together, SWEEP and SWICAR provide comprehensive real-time data on the local electron and ion population detected at the L1 orbit. This offers critical glimpses into solar eruptive events like CMEs and flares.

What are coronal mass ejections and why are they significant?

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s corona or outer atmosphere. They can erupt at speeds of several million km/hr into interplanetary space.

CMEs can impact Earth’s magnetosphere, triggering geomagnetic storms. They induce strong electric currents in ground-based power grids and pipelines, leading to widespread blackouts and damage.

Harmful radiation from solar storms also threatens astronauts and even airplane passengers flying over the poles.

Understanding the initiation and evolution of CMEs can lead to better prediction models. This will allow taking preventive measures well in advance against their adverse effects.

What are the challenges and benefits of studying solar wind and CMEs?

Predicting the onset and intensity of CMEs has proven extremely difficult over the years. The physics behind their triggering and propagation remains unclear. Also, they can erupt in any direction and interact with solar wind unpredictably.

However, continuous monitoring of solar wind signatures can provide some warning of an approaching CME. Missions like Aditya-L1 and PAPA will significantly refine space weather forecasting models by unraveling CME mysteries.

The research will help better protect space and ground assets worth billions of dollars from being disrupted by solar storms. It also has profound implications for climate science and understanding factors driving long-term changes.

Final Thoughts

The Plasma Analyser Package aboard Aditya-L1 plays a pivotal role in fulfilling the mission’s science goals of probing solar eruptive events and understanding space weather. Its unique measurements of electrons, ions and CME signatures in the solar wind will uncover mysteries of coronal heating, solar flares and CME acceleration.

PAPA’s observations will also significantly advance forecasting models of geomagnetic storms. The research has profound implications in safeguarding vital assets in space and on ground from being disrupted by solar activity.