Aditya-L1 and Proba-3 coronagraphs together decode two coronal mass ejections near their birthplace
20 October 2026
A study led by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, carried out the first joint analysis of the same solar eruptions observed by Aditya-L1 and Proba-3.
The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph on Aditya-L1 made spectroscopic observations from 1.05 to 1.5 solar radii in the 5303 Angstrom green coronal line, and the ASPIICS instrument on Proba-3 imaged from about 1.1 to 3 solar radii.
Between July and December 2025 only two coronal mass ejections were recorded simultaneously by the two instruments, on 14 September 2025 and 16 September 2025.
The first eruption moved at about 645 kilometres per second, and its thermal energy was about one per cent of the total.
The second moved at 145 kilometres per second, and its thermal energy grew until it matched its kinetic energy.
Magnetic energy was comparable to or greater than kinetic energy in these eruptions, and the gas in them was measured at about two million degrees.
The study appeared in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
In plain words
CME Coronal Mass Ejection — A large release of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona.
VELC Visible Emission Line Coronagraph — The main payload on Aditya-L1, developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics with ISRO.