China's first comprehensive solar probe, the Kuafu-1, has made an exciting discovery by detecting over 120 white-light flares since its launch in October 2022, according to the Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
White-light flares are high-energy solar events that can impact space weather, potentially causing communication failures on Earth and interfering with spacecraft operations. These flares emit enhanced radiation in the visible spectrum, making them significant for both scientific research and practical applications.
As of December 2023, the Kuafu-1's White-light Solar Telescope has observed more than 120 white-light flares, providing valuable data for scientists. Gan Weiqun, the chief scientist of Kuafu-1 at PMO, noted, \"The observations of Kuafu-1 suggest that white-light flares are not as rare as previously realized.\" The team plans to collaborate with other satellites to continue studying these flares and improve space weather forecasting for China.
Launched in October 2022, Kuafu-1 is the world's first near-Earth satellite telescope capable of simultaneously monitoring solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and the sun's magnetic field. Since its launch, Kuafu-1 has recorded approximately 600 terabytes of raw solar data, which will be invaluable for ongoing and future research.
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