Central idea

Scientists working at the Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri, have identified and probed Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves to study their characteristics.
The study aims to understand the impact of energetic particles in the radiation belts on low orbiting satellites.

About Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri

	Description
Name	Maitri Antarctic Station (Friendship Research Centre)
Establishment	1984
Location	Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica
Distance from other stations	5 km away from Novolazarevskaya Station
Purpose	Conducting scientific research as part of the Indian Antarctic Programme
Features	Second permanent research station of India in Antarctica
Named by	Then-PM Indira Gandhi
First camp commander	Squadron Leader D.P. Joshi
First huts	Completed in 1989 by the IV Antarctica Expedition

Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves are a type of plasma wave that occurs in the Earth’s magnetosphere.
They are caused by the interaction of energetic particles in the radiation belts with the Earth’s magnetic field.
These waves have frequencies in the range of a few hundred hertz to a few kilohertz and are known to play an important role in the acceleration and loss of energetic particles in the Earth’s magnetosphere.
The study of EMIC waves is important for understanding the effects of space weather on satellite communication and navigation systems.

A team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) analysed data collected between 2011 and 2017 by the Induction Coil Magnetometer.
The device was installed at the Indian Antarctic station Maitri to bring out several aspects of the ground observation of the EMIC waves.

This study is important to improve our understanding of EMIC wave modulation and how they interact with energetic particles that impact satellites and their communication.
It could help understand the impact of energetic particles in the radiation belts on low orbiting satellites and lead to improved satellite communication systems.

It is a scientific program run by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
It was launched in 1981 and since then India has been operating research stations in Antarctica.
It gained global acceptance with India’s signing of the Antarctic Treaty and subsequent construction of the Dakshin Gangotri Antarctic research base in 1983, superseded by the Maitri base from 1989.
The program conducts research in areas such as geology, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and earth sciences.
India currently operates two permanent research stations in Antarctica – Maitri and Bharati.
The program also has plans to set up a third research station called ‘Siddhanta’ in the coming years.
Apart from conducting research, the program also engages in logistics support, environmental monitoring, and outreach activities.