Gauribidanur Observatory Measures Weak Magnetic Fields In Sun’s Corona
Indian scientists have directly measured weak magnetic fields in the Sun’s corona using an India-built radio telescope near Bengaluru, a finding that could improve space weather studies.
India’s Big Solar Breakthrough
An India-built radio telescope at the Gauribidanur Observatory near Bengaluru has helped scientists make a rare discovery about the Sun. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics have directly measured extremely weak magnetic fields in the Sun’s corona, the outer glowing layer seen during a total solar eclipse.
Why The Sun’s Corona Matters
The corona may look calm from Earth, but it is one of the most active regions of the Sun. Its invisible magnetic fields control sunspots, solar eruptions, and coronal mass ejections. These powerful bursts can disturb satellites, communication systems, and power grids on Earth.
How The Telescope Found It
The Gauribidanur radio telescope studied radio waves coming from the Sun. When these waves passed through magnetic regions, they showed a tiny twist. Scientists measured this small change to estimate the strength of the corona’s magnetic fields.
The detected fields are less than one-thousandth of a Tesla, but they can still trigger huge solar events. The discovery highlights India’s growing strength in radio astronomy and may help improve future space weather forecasting.
