Explanation –

Statements 1, 3 and 5 are correct. Aurorae (northern and southern lights) occur when charged particles from the Sun interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, and the resulting energy is released as light. The Center of Excellence in Space Sciences India (CESSI) is the primary and the only institute in the country that offers up-to-date information on space weather, including solar activity and its impact on Earth. Aditya-L1 is India’s first solar mission, designed to observe the Sun’s corona, solar wind, and other solar phenomena from a point in space known as the L1. The mission aims to provide continuous and uninterrupted observations of the Sun’s behavior, which will enhance our understanding of space weather and its impacts on Earth.

Statements 2 and 4 are incorrect. The formation of aurorae is not enhanced by an increase in Earth’s atmospheric pressure. When solar eruptions release charged particles, they can get trapped in Earth’s magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms. These storms interact with atoms in the upper atmosphere, resulting in the creation of aurorae. Sunspots are areas on the Sun’s surface that appear dark because they are cooler than the surrounding areas, not hotter. These regions have intense magnetic activity, which inhibits convection and results in a lower temperature compared to their surroundings. Sunspots are associated with magnetic activity, which can influence solar emissions and lead to irregularities such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Sunspots can last for several weeks to a few months, depending on their size and the intensity of the magnetic activity around them. Sunspots are most prevalent during the solar maximum.

Source: The Hindu