18-Apr-2023: Scientists probe characteristics of a form of plasma wave identified in the Indian Antarctic station, Maitri
Scientists have identified Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves, a form of plasma waves in the Indian Antarctic station, Maitri, and studied its characteristics. These waves play an important role in precipitation of killer electrons (electrons having speed close to speed of light, which form the radiation belt of planet Earth), which are hazardous to our space-borne technology/instruments. The study can help understand the impact of energetic particles in the radiation belts on the low orbiting satellites.
More than 99% of the matter in the visible universe consists of plasma. Our Sun, solar wind, the interplanetary medium, near-Earth region, magnetosphere (the cavity in which the Earth lies and stays protected from the wrath of the Sun), and upper part of our atmosphere all consist of plasma—the fourth state of matter. The study of plasma waves provides us with information on regions inaccessible to us, transport mass and energy across different regions, how they interact with charged particles, and control the overall dynamics of the Earth’s magnetosphere.
One such wave is the Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC), traversing plasma waves observed in the Earth’s magnetosphere. They can resonate with electrons with a wide energy range --- from 500 keV to hundreds of MeV, and make them precipitate to high-latitude atmosphere.
A team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), an autonomous institute of DST, analysed data collected between 2011 and 2017 by the Induction Coil Magnetometer data, installed at the Indian Antarctic station Maitri to bring out several aspects of the ground observation of the EMIC waves. They found the location of the generation of the waves in space and also suggested that the lower-frequency waves modulate the higher-frequency waves.
This first attempt to investigate the modulation characteristics using large data to present a statistical scenario of modulation of EMIC waves at ground station Maitri, published in the journal JGR Space Physics showed that the short-period modulation of such wave events is common and dependent on EMIC wave frequency. Besides, the short period decreases with an increase in the peak frequency of the EMIC wave, and stronger EMIC wave events were likely to have a higher peak frequency. Such study is important to improve our understanding of EMIC wave modulation and how they interact with energetic particles that impact satellites and their communication.
6-Apr-2023: Government carrying out regular scientific studies to monitor the changes in Himalayan glaciers
Climate change and its impact on glaciers remains a global challenge which requires global efforts and actions. Government of India is committed to protect the glaciers and has made efforts to reduce the impact through several adaptation and mitigation measures. This includes a number of programmes under National Action Plan on Climate Change. Various R&D projects are being supported for studying Himalayan Glaciers under the National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem and National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.
Several areas in the Himalayan States have also been declared as National Parks or Protected Areas, such as, Gangotri National Park, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, and Great Himalayan National Park.
In addition, the Government of India through its various organizations such as Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Geological Survey of India and Indian Space Research Organization has been carrying out regular scientific studies to monitor the changes in Himalayan glaciers.
The final outcomes at the Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are in the form of various decisions agreed to by consensus of all the Parties following extensive negotiations, while taking into consideration the principles of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities in the light of different national circumstances, as applicable to developing countries. Accordingly, the measures being undertaken by India are also based on aforementioned principles. These include India’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and declaration of net-zero by 2070 and efforts in domestic climate action with a wide range of initiatives, programmes and schemes for mitigation and adaptation purposes.
29-Mar-2023: Automated Weather Stations
The reception of Automated Weather Stations (AWS) data and its quality is being monitored round the clock at India Meteorological Department (IMD) Pune Central Receiving Servers and all IMD State Meteorological Centres. The network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) with Sensors for the meteorological parameters viz. Atmospheric pressure, Air temperature, Relative humidity, Rainfall, Wind speed and Wind direction undergo servicing/routine preventive maintenance at regular intervals by trained manpower available at IMD offices to ensure the quality of data from the system.
The preventive maintenance ensures necessary exposure conditions at AWS sites as per World Meteorological Organization (WMO) guidelines. The technical team during preventive maintenance/servicing, carry out grass cutting, cleaning of solar panels, equipments and general upkeep of the observatory site to ensure the quality of data from the system.
While doing the calibration of sensors, the atmospheric parameters are compared with the travelling standards of sensors during preventative maintenance/Servicing. If any sensor’s accuracy of AWS is not performing as per the WMO criteria, the sensor is replaced with new sensors.