
Dazzling auroras seen worldwide after solar blast from the Sun. Pictures inside
The storm has continued with few breaks for more than 60 hours. (Photo: X/@@BsauceSays)
advertisement
A halo CME is an eruption of solar plasma and magnetic field that appears to form a halo around the Sun when it is moving directly along the line of sight—either toward or away from Earth. If it's Earth-directed, it can have serious effects on technology and infrastructure.Solar physicists confirmed that the storm had continued with few breaks for more than 60 hours, pointing to the power and effectiveness of the CME that might go down as the strongest event of the ongoing Solar Cycle 25.The source of this solar eruption is Sunspot 4100, which erupted in a dramatic fashion on May 31.
Aurora Borealis seen over Washington State. (Photo: X/@PNWAurora)
advertisementEarth-orbiting satellites detected an M8.2-class solar flare that lasted more than three hours, an unusually long and powerful event. While technically just shy of the X-class threshold, the flare's slow, sustained energy release provided ample force to launch a massive CME from the Sun's atmosphere.The northern lights were also seen in San Diego and some residents in Tulsa, reported catching glimpses of the aurora. Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere, pink and red auroras were spotted lighting up the skies over Queenstown in Tasmania.East of High River 20250603T0600ZJust arrived as the aurora fired up pic.twitter.com/dHTupNJoPa— Harlan Thomas (@theauroraguy) June 3, 2025Before the storm hit, experts had predicted that the auroras might be visible across a wide swath of the northern United States, including Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, along with most of Wyoming, Idaho, Iowa and New York.Forecasts also suggested potential sightings in parts of Oregon, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.Must Watch

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


NDTV
11 hours ago
- NDTV
ISRO-NASA's $1.3 Billion Revolutionary Earth Imaging Satellite NISAR Set For Launch
In a historic collaboration between the United States and India, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite, also known as NISAR, is poised to revolutionise how we observe and understand our planet. Scheduled for launch on the evening of July 30 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota, NISAR represents the largest joint Earth science mission ever undertaken by NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The latest NASA-ISRO collaboration follows the successful mission to the International Space Station by Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. At its core, NISAR is designed to monitor changes in Earth's surface with unprecedented precision, capturing movements as small as a centimetre. This capability is vital for tracking natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity, and glacial shifts, as well as human-induced changes like urban expansion, agricultural development, and infrastructure stress. ISRO says the NISAR satellite weighs 2,392 kg, and it will scan the entire globe and provide all-weather, day-and-night data at a 12-day interval and enable a wide range of applications. NISAR can detect changes in the Earth's surface, such as ground deformation, ice sheet movement and vegetation dynamics. Further applications include sea and ice classification, ship detection, shoreline monitoring, storm characterisation, changes in soil moisture, mapping and monitoring of surface water resources and disaster response. What sets NISAR apart is its dual-frequency radar system, a first-of-its-kind configuration in space. NASA has contributed the L-band radar, which penetrates vegetation and soil to reveal subsurface changes, while ISRO has provided the S-band radar, optimised for detecting surface-level features like foliage and terrain. These radars are mounted on a 12-meter mesh reflector antenna, roughly the size of a school bus, allowing the satellite to scan nearly all of Earth's land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days. The satellite's ability to operate day and night, in all weather conditions, ensures a continuous and reliable stream of data. This is especially critical for regions prone to disasters, where timely information can mean the difference between life and death. As Nikki Fox, Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, emphasises, "NISAR's data will help ensure the health and safety of those impacted on Earth, as well as the infrastructure that supports them." Beyond disaster response, NISAR will play a pivotal role in climate science, ecosystem monitoring, and resource management. It will help track groundwater depletion, forest density, wetland flooding, and coastal vegetation, offering insights that are essential for food and water security. More than 180 organisations from local governments to private companies are already preparing to use NISAR's data to inform decisions and policies. The mission also showcases the power of international cooperation. As Wendy Edelstein, NISAR's Deputy Project Manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), noted, "NISAR is a 50-50 partnership between NASA and ISRO. It represents the largest collaboration in space between the United States and India." It has cost upwards of $1.3 billion. The satellite was built and tested over five years, with extensive integration work carried out in both countries. Ms Edelstein herself spent over 150 days in India working alongside ISRO engineers, highlighting the deep commitment and mutual respect between the two space agencies. Technologically, NISAR employs synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and interferometry to create high-resolution images and detect surface motion. SAR allows the satellite to simulate a much larger antenna by combining thousands of radar pulses, resulting in detailed imagery. Interferometry, on the other hand, enables the measurement of ground displacement over time by comparing radar signals from different passes. These techniques provide a 3D view of Earth's surface dynamics, crucial for understanding tectonic shifts, glacier movements, and land subsidence. The satellite's data will be open and accessible, aligning with NASA's commitment to open science. This ensures that researchers, policymakers, and emergency responders worldwide can benefit from NISAR's insights. As Karen St. Germain, Director of NASA's Earth Science Division, puts it, "NISAR is a model for the next generation of Earth observation capabilities." For India, NISAR is a strategic milestone in its growing space ambitions. It complements the country's Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, recent lunar and solar missions, and its expanding role in global space diplomacy. The launch also underscores India's technical prowess, with ISRO providing the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F16) launch vehicle, spacecraft bus, solar arrays, and ground support. The excitement surrounding NISAR is palpable. Paul Rosen, NISAR's Project Scientist at JPL, described the mission as the culmination of decades of work, calling it a "high-definition movie of the Earth." He highlighted how NISAR's radar can "see through foliage, study building footprints, measure flood depth," and even detect subtle shifts in tectonic plates. As the countdown to launch begins, NISAR stands as a beacon of scientific innovation and international unity. It promises to deepen our understanding of Earth's complex systems, enhance our ability to respond to environmental challenges, and inspire future collaborations in space exploration.


Business Standard
16 hours ago
- Business Standard
India Selected to Host International Space Leaders for Karman Week 2025
PRNewswire Berlin [Germany] / Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], July 24: The Karman Project, a global foundation advancing peace and cooperation in space, has announced that its flagship event 'Karman Week 2025' will take place in Bangalore, India, hosted by one of the world's leading Earth Intelligence companies, SatSure. The coveted annual gathering will convene 15 high-impact global leaders in space - including astronauts, agency heads, and industry executives - for a week in October of strategic dialogue, cultural exchange, and innovation showcases. This year's selected delegation includes Fellows from such organisations as Axiom Space, Airbus, the Saudi Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and the Kenya Space Agency, among others. The Karman Project and SatSure share a long-standing relationship, with SatSure's Founder and CEO, Prateep Basu, selected as a Karman Fellow in 2020. As part of his Fellowship Commitment, Basu launched the SatSure Sparta platform - an internal initiative for making Earth observation data easy to consume and model for enabling financial inclusion of smallholder Indian farmers. The partnership reflects a shared mission to drive meaningful, cross-sectoral action in space, with Karman Week 2025 marking yet another milestone. "India is not only a leader in space exploration, but also a pioneer in using space technologies to address real-world challenges - be it agriculture, climate resilience, or disaster response," said Hannah Ashford, Managing Director of The Karman Project."Bringing our Fellowship to Bangalore allows us to engage directly with this spirit of purpose-driven innovation, and to connect our global leaders with one of the most dynamic and mission-oriented space ecosystems in the world." Bangalore is India's leading space and technology city, home to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and a flourishing startup and venture capital ecosystem. Karman Week 2025 will highlight India's leadership in public-private partnerships, climate-focused space applications, and international cooperation. The program will include direct engagements with the Indian space sector, alongside curated cultural activities and a nature-based leadership retreat. These immersive experiences aim to build trust and foster collaboration across borders and sectors. "Karman Week 2025 marks a significant moment for India's space ecosystem, and it's an honor for us to host it in Bangalore. It's an opportunity to highlight innovations emerging from India--particularly in space data and artificial intelligence--that are addressing global challenges in agriculture, climate, and sustainable development at scale," said Prateep Basu, Founder and CEO of SatSure. "As a Karman Fellow, I've seen the value of cross-border collaboration firsthand. We're excited to share India's journey and amplify conversations that turn vision into impact." Karman Week constitutes yet another landmark for India's monumental 2025 in outer space affairs. Demonstrating the country's strengths in both technical capability and international cooperation, this year has seen the 100th launch from India's primary spaceport, the Global Conference on Space Exploration in New Delhi, a docking maneuver between two satellites in orbit (a feat only three other nations have achieved), and ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's groundbreaking mission as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. With the Karman-SatSure partnership coming to fruition, the Indian private space sector makes a bold new statement about its commitment to facilitating international cooperation and building on ISRO's legacy of peaceful use of outer space. Now in its sixth edition, Karman Week has previously been held in countries including the United Arab Emirates, France, Maldives, and Bulgaria. The event is closed to the public and invitation-only, focused on deepening cooperation among the world's most responsible and influential space actors. Further program details will be released later in the year. For more information on the event or media inquiries, please contact: fellowship@ About The Karman Project The Karman Project is a global non-profit foundation promoting peace and security in space through international cooperation. The foundation's unique convening power enables it to bring together public and private sector decision-makers to build common understandings and impactful projects that advance sustainability, education, science, security, and capacity building efforts. To date, The Karman Project's highly curated community of entrepreneurs, astronauts, space executives, researchers, and artists from over 70 nations has initiated projects serving the immediate needs of more than five million people worldwide. The foundation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. About SatSure Analytics India Private Limited (SatSure) SatSure is one of the world's most comprehensive Earth Observation (EO) data refinery platforms. With capabilities spanning both upstream EOaaS infrastructure, through its wholly-owned subsidiary KaleidEO, and downstream analytics, SatSure delivers end-to-end, EO data-driven decision intelligence through industry-specific, contextual solutions that are scalable, accessible, and operationally meaningful. SatSure's subsidiary KaleidEO strengthens the EO ecosystem by developing high-resolution, multispectral EO payloads with edge computing capabilities. Together, SatSure and KaleidEO offer a full-stack EO value chain, built in India for the world, empowering emerging nations by equipping stakeholders with decision intelligence for faster, smarter, and more informed action.


Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on Europa moon, chromosphere, NISAR mission and more (Week 120)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on Science and Technology to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at With reference to the NISAR mission, consider the following statements: 1. It is an Earth observation satellite jointly developed by NASA and ISRO. 2. The satellite will be launched on the PSLV-C61 and put in a sun-synchronous orbit. 3. The satellite will scan the entire globe every 30 days, providing a series of very detailed images of the Earth's surface. 4. It will be the first satellite ever to observe the Earth in two frequencies. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four Explanation — The much-awaited launch of NISAR — an earth observation satellite jointly developed by NASA and ISRO — is set to take place on July 30 at 5:40 pm from the country's only spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — The satellite will be launched on the GSLV-F16 and be put in a 734 km sun synchronous orbit — an orbit in which the satellite reaches over a place at the same time each day. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — The satellite will scan the entire globe every 12 days, providing a series of very detailed images of the Earth's surface. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. — NISAR, which stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, will provide an unprecedented view of the planet. Weighing 2,392 kg it will be the first satellite ever to observe the Earth in two frequencies — NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band. 'Each system's signal is sensitive to different sizes of features on Earth's surface, and each specializes in measuring different attributes, such as moisture content, surface roughness, and motion,' according to NASA. Hence, statement 4 is correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. With reference to the chromosphere, consider the following statements: 1. It is a region sandwiched between the sun's atmosphere (the million-degree corona) and the photosphere (the sun's visible surface). 2. It is in the chromosphere where the solar flares, hot plasma jets, and powerful energy fluxes originate. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — Solar physicists will make a new attempt to observe the chromosphere of the sun, which is the most dynamic region. NASA, along with a team of international solar physicists, will launch a sounding rocket experiment on July 18 from New Mexico. — Reddish in colour, the chromosphere is a region sandwiched between the sun's atmosphere (the million-degree corona) and the photosphere (the sun's visible surface). It is in the chromosphere where the solar flares, hot plasma jets, and powerful energy fluxes originate. The temperature variations recorded along this region can vary between 6000 degrees Celsius and over a million degrees Celsius. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct. — The suborbital sounding rocket experiment will last under ten minutes. On board will be the Solar EruptioN Integral Field Spectrograph (SNIFS) – a solar-gazing spectrograph solar gazing spectrograph. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. Consider the following statements about MiG-21 fighter jets: 1. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to retire the remaining Russian-origin MiG-21 fleet in a ceremonial decommissioning on September 19 at the Chandigarh airbase. 2. There are five squadrons of the MiG-21 Bisons currently active. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — After protecting the Indian skies through all major conflicts over more than six decades, the legendary MiG-21 fighter jets are set to retire in September. — The Indian Air Force (IAF) will ceremonially decommission the last Russian-origin MiG-21 fleet on September 19 at the Chandigarh airport. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — Two squadrons of MiG-21 Bisons are currently operational. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — Since the aircraft's introduction into the IAF in 1963, India has purchased around 700 MiG-21s in various variants, including the Type-77, Type-96, BIS, and Bison. — The retirement of the ageing MiG-21 fleet was originally scheduled for 2022, but was postponed due to a delay in the planned induction of additional fighter jets, including the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, which will replace the MiG-21 squadrons. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. Which of the following viruses is also known as the 'bleeding eye' virus? (a) Marburg virus (b) Avian influenza (c) Hepatitis B virus (d) Hepatitis E virus Explanation — MVD, sometimes known as the 'bleeding eye virus,' is one of the worst diseases capable of infecting humans. Case mortality rates in previous outbreaks ranged from 24% to 88%, depending on the virus type and case care. The first incidence in Rwanda this year was recorded in September. — Marburg is a filovirus, just like Ebola. Both infections are clinically identical and, while rare, can generate high-fatality epidemics. — The first recognised MVD outbreak occurred in Marburg, Germany, in 1967. Following that, successive outbreaks have largely been recorded throughout Africa, most recently in Tanzania, Ghana, and now Rwanda. — The World Health Organisation has listed MVD as one of the infections that pose the greatest hazard to public health and for which no suitable treatments or vaccinations exist. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. Consider the following: 1. Sulphur compounds 2. Helium gas 3. Argon gas 4. Pyroclastic debris How many of the following are products of volcanic eruptions? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four Explanation — Volcanoes can be on land and in the ocean. They are formed when material significantly hotter than its surroundings is erupted onto the surface of the Earth. The material could be liquid rock (known as 'magma', when it's underground and 'lava' when it breaks through the surface), ash, and/or gases. — Magma refers to the material found in the upper mantle. When it begins to move towards the crust or reaches the surface, it is known as 'lava.' — Lava flows, pyroclastic debris, volcanic bombs, ash and dust, as well as gases such as nitrogen compounds, sulphur compounds, and trace amounts of chlorine, hydrogen, and argon, all make their way to the ground. — Helium is not a product of volcanic eruptions. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. Consider the following statements regarding Europa (one of the moon of Jupiter) Statement I : Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, is considered a strong candidate in the search for extraterrestrial life. Statement II : The James Webb Space Telescope has detected carbon dioxide and crystalline water ice on Europa's surface, indicating recent exposure of subsurface ocean material. Which one of the following is correct? (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct Explanation — Europa is widely regarded as one of the most promising places in our solar system to search for signs of life due to its subsurface ocean and signs of active geology. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — James Webb Space Telescope observations confirmed the presence of crystalline water ice, carbon dioxide, and sodium chloride on Europa's surface—especially in areas like Tara Regio—suggesting that material from the subsurface ocean is reaching the surface. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — These findings support the idea that Europa may have the chemical and physical conditions necessary for life, making the Statement II a correct explanation for the Statement I. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. CoinDCX, recently in the news, is related to: (a) A government digital payment initiative (b) A space-tech startup collaborating with ISRO (c) A cryptocurrency exchange that suffered a major hack (d) A fintech app launched by RBI for rural banking Explanation — CoinDCX, Mumbai‑based crypto exchange, lost US $44.2 million from an internal operational wallet hack on July 19, 2025, discovered 17 hours later by blockchain investigator ZachXBT. — It marks India's second major crypto hack in one year, reinforcing the urgency for stronger cybersecurity protocols and regulatory standards in the digital asset domain. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. With reference to the NASA's sounding-rocket mission, consider the following statements: 1. The instrument SNIFS is designed to study the Sun's chromosphere, which lies between the photosphere and the corona. 2. SNIFS will capture 3D spectroscopic data, obtaining a full spectrum for each pixel in view. 3. The mission will measure the hydrogen Lyman‑α spectral line, a key diagnostic tool for chromospheric conditions. 4. SNIFS is an orbital satellite mission scheduled to operate for several years. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2 and 3 only (c) 2, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Explanation — SNIFS (Solar EruptioN Integral Field Spectrograph) will study the chromosphere, the dynamic layer sandwiched between the Sun's visible surface (photosphere) and the outer corona. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — It is the first ultraviolet integral field spectrograph to fly for solar study, providing 3D data sets where each pixel carries its own spectrum. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — SNIFS targets the Lyman-α spectral line of hydrogen, the brightest line in the solar ultraviolet spectrum, crucial for diagnosing chromospheric temperature, velocity, and density. Hence, statement 3 is correct. — SNIFS is a suborbital sounding‑rocket experiment, not a satellite mission; it will operate for under 10 minutes, not years. Hence, statement 4 is not correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 118) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 120) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 119) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 119) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 119) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 119) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than five years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'LIVE with Manas'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More