Strongest solar storm in two decades; Aditya-L1

1. Question 1Answer C

   What class of solar flare launched a fast CME on 18-19 January 2026?

   • AM5.2
   • BC7.4
   • CCorrect answer: X1.9
   • DX9.0

   Core Trigger: On 18-19 January 2026 an X1.9 solar flare launched a fast coronal mass ejection and an S4 solar radiation storm.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 264, point 1

2. Question 2Answer D

   What rating did NOAA give the January 2026 solar radiation storm?

   • AS5 (Extreme)
   • BG4 (Severe)
   • CR4 (Severe)
   • DCorrect answer: S4 (Severe)

   Rating: NOAA ranked it S4 'Severe', four out of five on its solar radiation scale.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 264, point 2

3. Question 3Answer A

   Which NOAA centre rates and forecasts space weather events?

   • ACorrect answer: Space Weather Prediction Center
   • BNational Hurricane Center
   • CStorm Prediction Center
   • DClimate Prediction Center

   Rating Body: NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center rates and forecasts such events.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 264, point 3

4. Question 4Answer B

   Auroras were seen as far south as Arizona and which European country?

   • AItaly
   • BCorrect answer: Spain
   • CGreece
   • DTurkey

   Visible Sign: Auroras appeared far outside the polar belt, as far south as Spain and Arizona.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 264, point 4

5. Question 5Answer C

   The January 2026 proton flux peak ranked third-highest after peaks in which years?

   • A1972 and 1989
   • B2003 and 2005
   • CCorrect answer: 1989 and 1991
   • D1859 and 1991

   Data Point: Proton flux peaked at 36,976 pfu on 19 January 2026, third-highest on record after 1991 (43,000) and 1989 (40,000).From Book 1 RATNA, topic 264, point 5

6. Question 6Answer D

   From which point does ISRO's Aditya-L1 observe the Sun?

   • ASun-Earth L2 point
   • BEarth-Moon L1 point
   • CSun-Earth L4 point
   • DCorrect answer: Sun-Earth L1 point

   India Link: ISRO's Aditya-L1 observes the Sun from the Sun-Earth L1 point.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 264, point 7

7. Question 7Answer A

   Forecasters warned of risks to satellites, HF radio, power grids, high-latitude flights and whom?

   • ACorrect answer: Astronauts
   • BDeep-sea divers
   • CUnderground miners
   • DShip passengers

   Risks: Forecasters warned of risks to satellites, HF radio, power grids, astronauts and high-latitude flights.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 264, point 8

8. Question 8Answer C

   Which is/are correct? (1) Flares are classed A, B, C, M and X by peak soft X-ray flux. (2) X-class is ten times M-class.

   • AOnly 1
   • BOnly 2
   • CCorrect answer: Both 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2

   Flare Classes: Flares are classed A, B, C, M and X by peak soft X-ray flux; X-class is ten times M-class.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 264, point 9

9. Question 9Answer B

   The 1859 Carrington Event is named after which British astronomer?

   • AEdmond Halley
   • BCorrect answer: Richard Carrington
   • CWilliam Herschel
   • DNorman Lockyer

   Landmark: The Carrington Event of 1859 is named after British astronomer Richard Carrington, who observed that flare.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 264, point 10

10. Question 10Answer B

    Which is/are correct? (1) Auroras arise when charged particles excite hydrogen and helium atoms. (2) A CME is a plasma cloud from the corona reaching Earth in hours to days.

    • AOnly 1
    • BCorrect answer: Only 2
    • CBoth 1 and 2
    • DNeither 1 nor 2

    Definition: A coronal mass ejection is a plasma cloud from the corona reaching Earth in hours to days; S4 endangers spacewalking astronauts.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 264, point 12

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