IIA astronomers devise method to estimate radial size of coronal mass ejections
Astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics devised a method to estimate the instantaneous expansion speed and radial size of coronal mass ejections from single-point spacecraft measurements, DST reported on 30 January 2025.
Summary
Astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, devised a novel method to estimate the instantaneous expansion speed and radial size of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) using single-point in situ spacecraft measurements, DST reported on 30 January 2025. The IIA method matters because the radial dimension of a CME governs how long it and its geomagnetic storm affect Earth. CMEs are magnetised plasma bubbles from the Sun and the main drivers of geomagnetic storms that can disrupt communication, satellites and power grids.
Key facts
- Reported
- 30 January 2025
- Institute
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (DST)
- Method
- Instantaneous expansion speed and radial size of CMEs from single-point data
- Why it matters
- Radial size governs duration of geomagnetic storms
Practice MCQs 1 questions
Astronomers of which institute devised a method, reported in January 2025, to estimate the radial size of coronal mass ejections from single-point measurements?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Indian Institute of Astrophysics
PIB 2097599: astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, an autonomous institute of DST, devised the method.