A team of scientists and engineers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has developed an innovative method to measure the Sun’s magnetic field using commercial dish TV antennas.
This technique focuses on the solar chromosphere, the layer between the Sun’s photosphere and corona. The team recently showcased their approach.
The antennas operate at a frequency of 11.2 GHz, which falls within the radio astronomy band of the electromagnetic spectrum. According to the researchers, this groundbreaking effort enables regular measurements of the Sun’s magnetic field from its surface to the outer layers of its atmosphere.
“Measuring the magnetic field in the solar chromosphere is crucial for understanding the connection between the Sun’s surface and its corona, where space weather disturbances originate. We are pleased to have established a cost-effective facility at our Radio Astronomy Field Station in Gauribidanur for this purpose,” said R. Ramesh, a senior professor at IIA and the head of the Gauribidanur station, in an interview with The Hindu.
Encouraging Further Research
Prof. Ramesh noted that this affordable setup could inspire educational institutions across the country to create similar facilities on their campuses. This initiative could lead to accessible astronomy that generates valuable scientific data while also serving as a platform for developing new technologies in India.
Students from BMS College of Engineering and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetam in Bengaluru participated in the Gauribidanur setup as part of their academic projects.
He mentioned that the total cost of the setup is ₹20 lakh, which is minimal compared to the budget needed for traditional optical astronomy methods to measure the Sun’s magnetic field, whether from the ground or space.