Bengaluru Scientists Decode Solar Eruptions Using Aditya-L1 and Proba-3 Satellites
International collaboration leverages dual-satellite data to analyze coronal mass ejections near the Sun.
1Joint Space Observation Milestone
Scientists from Bengaluru and international partners successfully analyzed solar eruptions using data from India’s Aditya-L1 and Europe’s Proba-3 missions. This marks the first time researchers combined observations from the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph and the ASPIICS payload. The collaboration aims to study coronal mass ejections in the region located very close to the Sun.
2Complementary Instrument Capabilities
The Aditya-L1 mission provides spectroscopic data via its VELC instrument, while Proba-3 captures sharp images through the ASPIICS payload. By observing the same solar corona region simultaneously, researchers obtained both thermal energy estimates and precise shape dynamics. This dual-method approach allows for a more comprehensive cross-checked view of solar activity evolution.
3Analyzing September 2025 Eruptions
The research team identified two specific coronal mass ejections occurring on September 14 and 16, 2025. The September 14 event moved at a fast speed of 645 km/s, whereas the September 16 eruption was significantly slower at 145 km/s. These events provided the primary data for testing the instruments' synergetic potential.
4Density and Thermal Dynamics
Observations revealed that the density of the September 16 eruption dropped more steeply with height compared to others, suggesting a stronger early expansion phase. VELC spectroscopic data measured gas at two million degrees, providing independent thermal energy estimates. These findings align well with the mass calculations derived from the ASPIICS imaging data.
5Energy Distribution in Ejections
Analysis showed that thermal energy accounted for only 1% of the total in the September 14 event. Conversely, the September 16 eruption saw thermal energy grow until it matched kinetic energy levels. Magnetic energy estimates were found to be comparable to or greater than the kinetic energy observed during these solar events.
6Mission Background and Configuration
India’s Aditya-L1, the nation's first dedicated solar mission, launched on September 2, 2023, via PSLV-C57. The European Space Agency’s Proba-3 launched on December 5, 2024, using a PSLV-XL rocket from Sriharikota. The two spacecraft maintain a distance of approximately 150 metres, with one unit casting a shadow on the other for observations.
7Methodological Synergy and Constraints
The study demonstrates that pairing a coronagraph for imaging with one for spectrum measurement yields superior observational constraints. Despite utilizing different geometric assumptions and physical considerations, the results from both instruments remained consistent. This synergy provides a robust framework for understanding the early evolution and origin of complex coronal mass ejections.
8Scientific Implications for Heliophysics
This research highlights the effectiveness of multi-spacecraft missions in providing deeper insights into solar phenomena than single-satellite observations. By constraining mass, density, and energetics in the inner corona, scientists can better predict solar behavior. Future studies will likely rely on such integrated data sets to refine models of solar eruption evolution.