Aditya-L1 Captures the First-ever Image of Kernel

India’s first dedicated space-based solar mission, Aditya-L1, has achieved milestone. On February 22, 2025, the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) onboard Aditya-L1 captured the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’ in the lower solar atmosphere. This observation is crucial for understanding solar activity and its effects on Earth.

Significance of the Discovery

The flare’s ‘kernel’ was observed in the lower layers of the Sun’s atmosphere, giving new insights into solar activity.

It was detected in the near-ultraviolet wavelength, which has been rarely used for such studies.

This can help scientists understand how mass and energy move through the Sun’s atmosphere.

About Aditya-L1 Mission

Aditya-L1 is India’s inaugural solar observatory mission.

Launched on September 2, 2023, it aims to study the Sun from a distance of 1.5 million kilometres.

The spacecraft reached the Lagrange Point 1 (L1) on January 6, 2024.

This mission is ISRO’s second astronomy observatory-class mission following AstroSat.

Scientific Payloads

The mission features several scientific payloads. The primary instrument, SUIT, focuses on capturing images in the Near Ultra Violet (NUV) wavelength range. This capability allows for unprecedented observations of solar flares and other solar phenomena.

Solar Flare Observations

On February 22, 2025, Aditya-L1 observed an X6.3-class solar flare. This intense eruption provided new data on the temperature variations in the solar corona. The observation confirmed the relationship between flare energy and temperature changes, validating existing theories while offering new insights.

Implications for Space Weather

Solar flares and coronal mass ejections can affect Earth’s space environment. Aditya-L1’s findings will improve our understanding of these phenomena, aiding in the development of strategies to mitigate their impacts on technology and infrastructure.

Advancements in Solar Physics

The mission contributes to the field of solar physics by exploring the Sun’s magnetic fields and plasma dynamics. This knowledge is essential for advancing fundamental physics and astrophysics. It also supports research into sustainable fusion energy, as the Sun serves as a natural fusion reactor.