From student to leader: Tech prodigy Sapkota's space weather innovations

Kathmandu, September 10 — Nirakar Sapkota, who graduated from Princeton University, is undertaking researches in space weather with passion and dedication. He has achieved remarkable success in predicting the impacts of solar storms in various technologies on earth. He has also provided solutions for the mitigating measures of those impacts. Sapkota's research has proven to be a milestone in redefining the precautions and response to celestial meteorological events which could hinder our day-to-day lives. 

According to NASA, the outer solar atmosphere, the corona, is structured by strong magnetic fields. Where these fields are closed, often above sunspot groups, the confined solar atmosphere can suddenly and violently release bubbles of gas and magnetic fields called coronal mass ejections. A large CME can contain a billion tons of matter that can be accelerated to several million miles per hour in a spectacular explosion. Solar material streams out through the interplanetary medium, impacting any planet or spacecraft in its path. CMEs are sometimes associated with flares but can occur independently. They can disrupt communications, damage satellites, and even cause power outages.

Sapkota's research tries to address these problems on technology with outstanding precision. Conventional methods lack precision and they just provide unspecified warnings about solar storms, whereas Sapkota's work is detailed as well as precise when it comes to solar storms forecasts. His model of forecast can tell exactly when and where these phenomena occurs and the magnitude of their impacts. This helps power companies and other agencies to take precautionary measures to protect their infrastructures. It helps in stopping power outages, fires, and communication dysfunction.

Sapkota has done extensive research on how to protect satellites from the effects of solar storms. Solar particles released during these storms can damage satellite electronics, leading to costly repairs and disruptions in service. Sapkota's research predicts these particle 'rush hours', allowing satellite operators to schedule maintenance during quieter periods or adjust satellite positions to mitigate damage.

Looking ahead, Sapkota envisions integrating smart systems that can automatically respond to solar storms. Such advancements could include power grids that dynamically reroute electricity to prevent overloads or satellites that adjust their operations in real-time to weather cosmic disturbances.

Sapkota, who finished his high school at the top of his class in Grade 12 science from St. Xavier's College in 2017, has been passionate about scientific research since his high school years. Known for his curiosity, open-mindedness, and inquisitive nature, his groundbreaking research is now being utilized on both sides of the Atlantic.

Sapkota's groundbreaking research is already having a global impact. His techniques are used by researchers and institutions worldwide to improve space weather models and protect critical technologies. His work underscores the importance of understanding and preparing for space weather to safeguard the technological systems we depend on every day.

For more information about Sapkota’s published research and its global recognition, visit:

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jR0SRvsAAAAJ&hl=en

https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/12711

https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2024/04/aa48703-23/aa48703-23.html

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-64497-0

 https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2021JA029348

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9794666

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273117722001211