In Ladakh’s night sky observatories, a magnificent and unusual sight recently unfolded – an astonishing red aurora. This is a remarkable event for India, where such happenings are quite rare.
Auroras: Nature’s Light Show
Auroras are magnificent natural light displays that often occur near the Earth’s poles. They appear when particles from the sun collide with our planet’s magnetic field. This collision produces vivid patterns of colorful light, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
Observing the Auroras in Hanle and Merak
The Hanle observatory successfully captured images of the aurora appearing in the northern part of the sky. Unfortunately, the Merak observatory, situated near Pangong Tso, faced challenges due to nearby mountains obstructing their view.
Aurora Events in Hanle
This is not the first time the Hanle observatory has witnessed such a phenomenon; an aurora was previously recorded earlier this year on April 23. These mesmerizing light displays are usually visible in polar regions and are rare in equatorial areas like India. However, during times of strong solar activity, they can sometimes be seen farther away from the poles.
Anticipating More Aurora Activity
Scientists predict an increase in aurora events over the next few years. This rise is attributed to the 11-year solar cycle, and we are currently in an ascending phase, with more solar flares expected as we approach the peak in 2025.
Hanle: India’s Dark Sky Reserve
Hanle holds a special place as India’s only dark sky reserve. Here, efforts are made to reduce light pollution, creating an ideal setting for witnessing these remarkable natural phenomena.
Setback at Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project
On October 27, the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, which had already faced significant delays, encountered another obstacle. Located on the border between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, this project experienced a significant hillside collapse on the left side of the dam. This led to the accumulation of debris in its reservoir, blocking the only operational diversion tunnel and halting the water flow downstream into the Subansiri River, a significant tributary of the Brahmaputra.
