The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on January 10, 2026, that its Aditya-L1 solar mission has uncovered new details about how strong solar storms affect Earth’s magnetic shield. “The most severe effects occurred during the impact of the turbulent region of the solar storm,” ISRO said in a statement. In a notable study published in The Astrophysical Journal in December 2025, ISRO scientists and research students analysed a major space weather event that struck Earth in October 2024. The study used data from Aditya-L1, India's first solar observatory, along with other international space missions to understand the impact from a massive eruption of solar plasma from the Sun. ISRO explained, “Space weather refers to conditions in space caused by transient activity on the Sun, such as solar plasma eruptions, which can affect satellites, communication and navigation services, and power grid infrastructure on Earth.” According to ISRO, the turbulent part of the solar storm “strongly compressed Earth’s magnetic field, pushing it unusually close to the Earth and briefly exposing some satellites in geostationary orbit to harsh space conditions.” This rare event happens only during severe space weather. The study also found that during this turbulent phase, currents in the auroral region intensified sharply. This process can heat the upper atmosphere and cause more atmospheric escape. ISRO said these findings show the importance of close monitoring of solar activity. The study highlights the need to understand space weather and assess it in real time to protect vital space assets.