Why in the News?
A rare blood red aurora was observed over Hanle in Ladakh on 19–20 January 2026 following a powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by a fast coronal mass ejection from the Sun.
Key Facts about the Event
• Observed at the Indian Astronomical Observatory, Hanle
• Captured by an all sky camera operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics
• Sixth such intense red aurora recorded at Hanle during the current solar cycle
• Rare because auroras usually occur near polar regions, not mid latitudes like Ladakh
Cause of the Red Aurora
• Triggered by a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) launched on 18 January
• CME associated with an X1.9 class solar flare
• Originated from Active Region 14341 near the centre of the Sun
• CME interacted with Earth’s magnetosphere
• Resulted in a G4 level geomagnetic storm on the NOAA scale classified as severe
Why the Aurora Appeared Red
• Caused by excitation of oxygen atoms in the upper atmosphere
• Occurs at high altitudes around 200 to 400 km
• Red auroras are rarer than green ones and indicate strong space weather
| [2012] Electrically charged particles from space travelling at speeds of several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings if they reach the surface of the Earth. What prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth?
(a) The Earth’s magnetic field diverts them towards its poles (b) Ozone layer around the Earth reflects them back to outer space (c) Moisture in the upper layers of atmosphere prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth (d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct |
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