Why in News?
Solar radio bursts (SRBs) are recently in the news due to a series of powerful eruptions from the Sun On 30 March 2026, as well as a major scientific breakthrough by Indian astronomers that could significantly improve space weather forecasting.
Nature and Origin
- Definition: Intense radio emissions from the Sun's atmosphere, primarily associated with solar flares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).
- Source: Caused by the acceleration of electrons to high energies during solar magnetic activity.
- Frequency Range: Observed across a wide spectrum, from kilohertz (kHz) to gigahertz (GHz).
Types of Radio Bursts
Astronomers categorise these bursts based on their spectral characteristics:
- Type I: Short-lived, narrow-band noise storms.
- Type II (Slow-drifting): Triggered by shock waves moving through the solar corona at speeds of ~1,000 km/s. These are critical for predicting incoming CMEs.
- Type III (Fast-drifting): Associated with solar flares and very rapid electron acceleration.
- Type IV & V: Broadband emissions often following major flares.
Major Impacts on Earth
- Navigation Systems: Can interfere with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like GPS by reducing the signal-to-noise ratio, leading to a "loss of lock".
- Communication Blackouts: High-frequency (HF) radio signals used by aviation and maritime sectors can be completely blocked for minutes or hours.
- Satellite Operations: Intense bursts can introduce noise into satellite-to-ground links, potentially disrupting command and control.
- Solar Cycle Context: These events are more frequent as we reach the peak of Solar Cycle 25, which is currently active.
Forecasting and Monitoring
- International Efforts: Monitored by a global network of instruments like CALLISTO and dedicated observatories such as the Gauribidanur Radio Observatory in India.
- Predictive Value: Because radio waves travel at the speed of light, they provide an "early warning" of slower-moving particles (CMEs) that may reach Earth 1–3 days later.
Download Pdf
