Q1. Where is Prabhas Patan located?
- In Patan district, North Gujarat
- On the banks of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad
- Near Dwarka in Devbhumi Dwarka district
- In Gir Somnath district, near Veraval on the Arabian Sea coast
Correct Option: 4. In Gir Somnath district, near Veraval on the Arabian Sea coast
Explanation:
Prabhas Patan is situated in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat, on the western coast of India along the Arabian Sea. It is historically associated with Somnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and today forms part of the Somnath–Veraval region. The other options refer to different geographical locations in Gujarat and are incorrect.
Q2. According to the Bhadrakali inscription, who constructed the stone Somnath Temple in the Kali Yuga?
- Maharajadhiraj Kumarapala
- Siddharaj Jaysinh
- King Bhimdev Solanki
- Acharya Bhavabrihaspati
Correct Option: 3. King Bhimdev Solanki
Explanation:
The Prabhas Patan inscription records the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple across the four yugas. It states that in the Kali Yuga, the temple was constructed in stone by King Bhimdev Solanki. Kumarapala later built another temple at the same site, Siddharaj Jaysinh was known for justice and governance, and Acharya Bhavabrihaspati was a spiritual preceptor—not a temple builder.
Q3. According to ISRO’s Aditya-L1 observations, which phase of the solar storm caused the most severe impact on Earth’s magnetic field?
- Initial solar flare phase
- Calm interplanetary phase
- Turbulent region of the solar storm
- Declining phase of the storm
Correct Option: 3. Turbulent region of the solar storm
Explanation:
ISRO stated that the most severe effects on Earth’s magnetic field occurred during the turbulent region of the solar storm. During this phase, the solar plasma was highly chaotic and energetic, leading to a strong compression of Earth’s magnetosphere. This compression pushed the magnetic field unusually close to Earth, an effect observed only during extreme space weather events. The other phases do not produce such intense geomagnetic impacts.
Q4. What was one of the major consequences of the turbulent solar storm phase observed by Aditya-L1?
- Permanent damage to Earth’s magnetic shield
- Weakening of auroral currents and cooling of the atmosphere
- Expansion of Earth’s magnetic field beyond geostationary orbit
- Super-intensification of auroral currents leading to atmospheric heating
Correct Option: 4. Super-intensification of auroral currents leading to atmospheric heating
Explanation:
The study revealed that during the turbulent phase of the solar storm, auroral region currents (at high latitudes) became super-intensified. This intensification can heat the upper atmosphere, potentially causing enhanced atmospheric escape. This phenomenon has serious implications for satellite safety and atmospheric dynamics. The other options are incorrect because the magnetic field was compressed (not expanded), and there was no permanent damage reported.