Chandrayaan-2 CME Observation

India’s Chandrayaan-2 CME observation has achieved a remarkable milestone by making the first-ever observation of the sun’s coronal mass ejection (CME) effects on the Moon.

This breakthrough, accomplished by the CHACE-2 payload onboard the Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbiter, has provided invaluable insights into lunar and space weather phenomena, making it a significant topic for SSC aspirants and space enthusiasts.

Observation of Coronal Mass Ejection

The Chandrayaan-2 CME observation was made during a rare celestial event on 10 May 2024, when a series of CMEs were emitted by the Sun. The CHACE-2 payload detected the impact of these solar storms on the Moon’s dayside exosphere, which is a very thin atmosphere composed of neutral atoms and molecules.

Data analysis revealed a significant increase in the total pressure of the lunar exosphere when the CME struck, with the total number density of particles increasing by more than an order of magnitude.

This confirmed earlier theoretical predictions and marked the first direct observation of a CME effect on the Moon, making the Chandrayaan-2 CME observation a major achievement for ISRO.

Rare Celestial Event

• The Chandrayaan-2 CME observation occurred during a rare sequence of solar eruptions, where multiple CMEs hit the Moon. These events led to the liberation of atoms from the lunar surface into the exosphere, thereby increasing pressure.

• This demonstrates the interaction between solar activity and the lunar environment, highlighting how solar storms affect the Moon’s thin atmosphere.

• This also provides insight into how solar activity can alter the Moon's exosphere, which is critical for planning future lunar missions and understanding space weather phenomena.

Implications for Lunar Exploration

• The Chandrayaan-2 CME observation has major implications for future lunar exploration.

• Understanding the effects of CMEs on the lunar environment is crucial for building safe scientific bases on the Moon and designing infrastructure to withstand extreme solar events.

• The data from the Chandrayaan-2 CME observation also guides sustainable human and robotic activities on the Moon, making it relevant for India’s long-term plans in space exploration.

Role of CHACE-2 Payload

• The CHACE-2 payload findings on the Moon during CME are a cornerstone of this research.

• The instrument measured variations in the lunar exosphere caused by solar storms, providing the first real-time evidence of how solar activity affects the Moon’s thin atmosphere.

• Through this study, India’s Chandrayaan-2 CME observation established the country’s capability in advanced space science research, emphasising ISRO’s global contribution to space knowledge.

About Chandrayaan-2 Mission

Launched on 22 July 2019 using the GSLV-MkIII-M1 rocket, Chandrayaan-2 was equipped with eight scientific payloads, including CHACE-2. Although the Vikram lander lost communication during its soft landing attempt, the orbiter continues to relay high-value scientific data.

The mission has already made multiple ISRO lunar mission discoveries, with the Chandrayaan-2 CME observation being the most recent and significant. It highlights India’s growing capabilities in space exploration, particularly in monitoring the Moon’s exosphere solar storm effects.

Exam-Oriented Insights

Key points to remember from the Chandrayaan-2 CME observation:

• First-ever direct observation of CME effects on the Moon

• CHACE-2 payload’s role in measuring lunar exosphere changes

• Impact of solar storms on lunar exosphere by Chandrayaan-2

• Implications for future lunar exploration and space infrastructure

• ISRO’s growing contribution to international space research

Final Thoughts

India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission has made a historic breakthrough by observing the effects of the sun’s coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on the Moon for the first time. Using the CHACE-2 payload, the mission recorded a significant increase in the lunar exosphere’s pressure when the solar storm struck, confirming theoretical predictions.

This rare celestial event on 10 May 2024 provided insights into how solar activity interacts with the Moon’s thin atmosphere, enhancing the understanding of space weather phenomena.

The findings have important implications for future lunar exploration, helping design safer infrastructure and enabling sustainable human and robotic activities. This milestone highlights ISRO’s growing capabilities in space research.