The Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh, captured intense red auroral activity on the nights of January 19 and 20. This marks the sixth time in the current solar cycle that such auroras have appeared. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), which runs the observatory, explained the aurora was caused by a strong geomagnetic storm starting around 3:30 a.m. on January 20. The storm peaked at 8:30 p.m. with a disturbance of −218 nano Tesla. NASA’s space observations show the storm came from a coronal mass ejection (CME) launched from the sun on January 18 at about 1:30 p.m. This CME came from Active Region 14341 near the sun’s center and traveled at 1,400 km per second. It was linked to a strong X1.9 solar flare and released solar energetic particles. The event is rated as a G4-level geomagnetic storm with an S4 radiation level, meaning it's quite powerful. P. Vemareddy, an IIA solar astrophysicist, said, "During the ongoing 25th solar cycle, only six geomagnetic storms with intensities exceeding −200 nT have been recorded, which have the potential to cause low latitudinal aurorae." A large coronal hole near the active region helped the CME reach Earth in just 28 hours. Scientists at IIA use both ground-based and space-based data to study how these storms happen, aiming to better understand the sun’s effect on Earth. The IIA noted that CMEs throw billions of tonnes of plasma and magnetic fields into space. When these hit Earth, they can cause geomagnetic storms. These extreme storms can disrupt space technology, affecting radio communication and GPS signals on Earth. Predicting such storms is a key research focus at IIA and other Indian institutions. The aurora at Hanle is a dramatic reminder of the sun’s powerful influence on our planet.