December 2024 - Page 8 of 9

Dec62024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

ISRO Successfully Launches PROBA-3 Satellite for European Space Agency

In a significant achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the European Space Agency’s (ESA) PROBA-3 satellite aboard its trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C59) on its 61st commercial mission. The launch signifies another milestone in India’s growing prominence in the global space sector and highlights international collaboration in cutting-edge space exploration. PROBA-3, short for Project for Onboard Anatomy, is a groundbreaking solar mission by the ESA. The mission is specifically designed to study the Sun's corona, the outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere, with unprecedented precision. The mission consists of two spacecraft, each designed to perform a unique and interdependent role. The Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC), weighing 31...

Dec52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Could a Rogue Planet Join Our Solar System? Scientists Explore the Possibility

Breaking News, Space

In 2017, the first confirmed interstellar visitor, Oumuamua, zipped through our Solar System, followed by Comet 2I/Borisov in 2019. These fleeting guests sparked curiosity about interstellar objects (ISOs) and rogue planets uncharted wanderers that could traverse space and potentially interact with our Sun. New research explores the tantalizing idea that the Solar System could permanently capture one of these cosmic drifters, and what such an event might mean. The study, published in Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy by Edward Belbruno and James Green, delves into the dynamics of phase space an intricate mathematical framework used to describe the possible states of a system like our Solar System. Phase space reveals pathways where an interstellar object could become gravitati...

Dec52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Jupiter to Light Up the Night Sky in a Rare Celestial Event on December 7

Breaking News, Space

A spectacular astronomical event is set to captivate stargazers on December 7 as Earth aligns directly between the Sun and Jupiter. This rare occurrence, known as Jupiter’s Opposition, will illuminate the largest planet in our solar system like never before. Throughout the night, Jupiter will dominate the skies, its brilliance unmatched and its details visible to anyone with even a basic telescope or binoculars. During this phenomenon, Jupiter’s sunlit side will face Earth in its entirety, creating a breathtaking view that resembles the full moon in its glory. As Earth’s faster orbit brings it into perfect alignment with the gas giant, the planet will appear larger and brighter than at almost any other time. The result is a celestial show that will keep skywatchers enchanted from dusk t...

Dec52024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Delhi Air Quality Improves to Moderate After 50 Days but ‘Poor’ Forecast Looms

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

New Delhi: After enduring over 50 days of high pollution Delhi experienced a significant improvement in air quality on Wednesday with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 178, categorised as 'moderate.' However the Air Quality Early Warning System predicts a decline to the 'poor' category by Friday. Strong surface winds helped disperse pollutants, offering much-needed relief. Visibility improved and the city's skies appeared clearer, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Out of 38 air quality monitoring stations, most recorded 'moderate' air quality, while eight registered 'poor' and Sri Aurobindo Marg reported 'very poor.' Current Weather Conditions: AQI: 178 ('moderate') on Wednesday, down from 268 on Tuesday. Temperature: Maximum of 28°C (3°C above ...

Dec42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Telangana: Residents Mistake Tremors for Monkey Mischief

Breaking News, Disasters

Mulugu, Telangana: Early Monday morning, residents of Mulugu in Telangana were startled by what they initially thought was the work of mischievous monkeys. However, as walls began to shake and utensils clattered, it became clear that the region was experiencing a 5.3 magnitude earthquake. The quake, one of the strongest recorded in the area in 55 years, caused tremors that rippled across parts of central and northern India. Residents Share Their Experiences Mangamma, an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife from SS Tadvai, recalled, “I was sorting things at home when the vessels and cot started shaking. At first, I blamed the monkeys, but when the walls trembled too, I froze in confusion. It lasted about a minute.” Similarly, A. Trishul, lying on his bed during the quake, mistook the monke...

Dec42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Greenland Accelerating Ice Melt Could Raise Sea Levels by One Meter by 2100

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

The melting of Greenland’s ice sheet is accelerating at an alarming pace, with the potential to lose between 964 and 1,735 gigatons of ice annually by 2100 under high greenhouse gas emissions (SSP585), according to new research led by the University of Liège. This massive ice loss could lead to a rise in global sea levels by up to one meter, putting millions in coastal regions at risk. The Scale of the Crisis Recent studies, including one published in Geophysical Research Letters, reveal that Greenland currently contributes 25% to global sea-level rise, adding 0.6 millimeters per year. If melting continues unabated, this contribution could surge dramatically by the end of the century. Three regional climate models RACMO, MAR, and HIRHAM offer slightly varying predictions due to di...

Dec42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Jolts Telangana, Tremors Felt Across Central and Northern India

Breaking News, Disasters

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck the Eturnagaram forest area in Telangana on Tuesday morning, sending tremors across central and northern India. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the quake occurred at 7:27 a.m., originating 40 kilometers below the surface. The epicenter was located 185 kilometers north-northeast of Nalgonda and 219 kilometers east-northeast of Hyderabad. Residents in Warangal, Bhadrachalam, Godavarkhani, Khammam, Vijayawada, Bhupalpally, Chandanagar, and Nallagandla were among those who reported feeling the tremors. Many described the sensation as brief but noticeable, lasting only a few seconds. Although there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the earthquake caused mild panic in some areas, with residents rushing out of their hom...

Dec42024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Gravitational Wave Hot Spot Detected in Southern Hemisphere, Raising Questions About Cosmic Activity

Breaking News, Idea & Innovations, Learning & Developments, Space

Astronomers using the MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array in South Africa have unveiled groundbreaking insights into the universe’s gravitational wave background, including the discovery of a curious "hot spot" in the Southern Hemisphere. The findings, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, suggest a more active universe than previously believed, potentially altering our understanding of supermassive black holes and their role in cosmic evolution. The Gravitational Wave Background Gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of space-time, are created by massive objects like black holes and neutron stars as they orbit or collide. These waves, first detected in 2015, exist across a spectrum, with the slowest and most powerful waves stemming from supermassive black h...

Dec32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Thailand Flooding Death Toll Rises to 25, Heavy Rain Expected to Continue

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

The death toll from devastating floods in southern Thailand has climbed to 25, with more than 660,000 homes affected since the deluge began on November 22, according to the country’s disaster management agency. Officials warned of days of continued heavy rain as the Thai weather agency forecast downpours to persist until December 5. The flooding, which has wreaked havoc across Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Yala provinces, has displaced over 22,000 residents. The Thai government’s public relations department confirmed the scale of the disaster, which has overwhelmed local communities and left many struggling to rebuild. Among those severely impacted is Suwas Bin-Uma, a chicken farmer from Songkhla, who lost his entire flock of more than 10,000 birds. “I’ve lost at least 3 million...

Dec32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Scientists Reveal Impact of Shifting Daily Routine by 5 Hours

Breaking News, Learning & Developments

A groundbreaking study has shed light on how our bodies respond to disruptions in daily schedules revealing a stark contrast in how quickly metabolism and sleep-wake cycles recover. The findings have significant implications for shift workers and frequent travelers who routinely face circadian desynchrony, a misalignment between internal body clocks and external environmental cues. The study, led by researchers investigating human circadian rhythms, explored the effects of delaying bedtime by five hours. It focused on how this modest disruption influenced sleep, alertness, and metabolic processes. Participants, aged around 45 and classified as overweight but otherwise healthy, experienced notable changes, particularly in their energy expenditure and blood sugar regulation. Circadian ...