IIA study shows a 'stealth' solar CME aided by a coronal hole caused an intense geomagnetic storm
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, found that a weak 'stealth' coronal mass ejection of 19 March 2023, helped by a nearby coronal hole, triggered an intense geomagnetic storm on Earth.
Summary
DST reported on 30 January 2026 that IIA researchers led by P. Vemareddy studied a stealth coronal mass ejection (CME) of 19 March 2023 that caused an intense storm on Earth about three days later. Such CMEs show no X-ray flares or radio bursts, so they are hard to forecast; about 10% of intense geomagnetic storms come from such weak eruptions. A nearby coronal hole likely helped carry the CME to Earth. The team used data from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, Solar Orbiter, STEREO-A and WIND.
Key facts
- Institute
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), autonomous under DST
- Lead author
- P. Vemareddy
- Event studied
- Stealth CME of 19 March 2023; intense storm ~3 days later
- Key finding
- Nearby coronal hole helped the weak CME reach Earth
- Share of such storms
- About 10% of intense geomagnetic storms
- Spacecraft data
- SDO, Solar Orbiter, STEREO-A, WIND
Practice MCQs 1 questions
A January 2026 study on a 'stealth' coronal mass ejection that caused an intense geomagnetic storm was carried out by researchers of which institute?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru
PIB: The stealth CME was investigated by researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institution under DST; lead author P. Vemareddy.