Current Affairs – 25 May 2024
Gliese 12b
Using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and many other telescopes, two teams of astronomers have discovered a temperate, Earth-sized exoplanet named Gliese 12b.
About Gliese 12b:
- Newly discovered temperate, Earth-sized exoplanet.
- Orbits a cool red dwarf called Gliese 12 in the constellation Pisces.
- Red dwarfs have lower luminosity, leading to closer habitable zones.
- Gliese 12:
- About 27% the size of our Sun.
- 60% of the Sun’s temperature.
- Located 40 light-years away, relatively close in astronomical terms.
- Falls within the habitable zone despite a 12.8-day orbital period due to the star’s smaller size.
- Size: Roughly the same as Earth or slightly smaller, comparable to Venus.
- Mass: Approximately 3.87 times that of Earth.
- Receives 1.6 times more energy from its star than Earth does from the Sun.
- Receives about 85% of the energy Venus experiences.
- Estimated surface temperature: 107°F (42°C), assuming no atmosphere.
- Excellent subject for studying rocky planets due to its size and characteristics.
About Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS):
- NASA mission to discover exoplanets around nearby bright stars.
- Launch: April 18, 2018, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral.
- Orbit: Unique high Earth orbit of 12 to 15 days, inclined to avoid obstructions from Earth and the Moon.
- Mission:
- Prime mission ended on July 4, 2020; currently on an extended mission.
- Finds planets ranging from small, rocky worlds to giant planets.
- Showcases the diversity of planets in the galaxy.
- Detection Method:
- Uses the transit method to detect planets.
- Looks for periodic dips in stars’ brightness as planets transit in front of them.
- Larger planets cause a greater drop in brightness during transit.
- The duration of the transit reveals the planet’s orbit shape.
- This method determines the planet’s diameter and orbit size.
- Identifies orbits within the “habitable zone” where liquid water could exist on Earth-like worlds.
AstroSat Mission
A team of Indian astrophysicists has used observations from AstroSat to discover the aperiodic modulation of high-energy X-ray photons in Swift J1727.8-1613, a black hole binary source.
About AstroSat Mission:
- First dedicated Indian astronomy mission.
- Aims to study celestial sources in X-ray, optical, and UV spectral bands simultaneously.
- Launch Details:
- Lift-off mass: 1515 kg.
- Launched on September 28, 2015.
- Launched into a 650 km orbit by PSLV-C30 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
- Scientific Payloads:
- Carries five scientific payloads.
- Enables imaging and studying the temporal and spectral properties of galactic and extra-galactic cosmic sources.
- Covers a wide range of wavelengths on a common platform.
- Unique Feature:
- Enables simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of various astronomical objects with a single satellite.
- Management:
- Spacecraft control centre at Mission Operations Complex (MOX) of ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Bengaluru, manages the satellite during its entire mission life.
- Main Scientific Objectives:
- Understand high energy processes in interacting binary systems with a compact object accreting matter from a companion star.
- Study star birth regions and high-energy processes in star systems beyond our galaxy.
- Detect new transient X-ray sources in the sky.
- Perform a limited deep-field survey of the Universe in the Ultraviolet region.
What is the Black Hole X-ray Binary?
- Interaction:
- Between a black hole and a normal star, similar to our Sun.
- Orbital Dynamics:
- Both are locked in a gravitational embrace, orbiting each other.
- The black hole, being heavier, exerts a powerful pull on the normal star.
- Accretion Process:
- The black hole pulls matter from the normal star.
- Stolen matter forms a swirling disk around the black hole instead of falling straight in.
- Disk Characteristics:
- Disk spins faster and gets incredibly hot, reaching millions of degrees.
- This intense heat causes the matter to glow brightly.
- Emits powerful X-rays detectable from Earth.
- Significance:
- X-ray binaries demonstrate that black holes, though dark and mysterious, can create spectacular displays of light and energy.
- Reveal the presence of black holes across vast distances.
Food Irradiation
The Union government is planning to significantly scale up the irradiation of onions this financial year to increase the shelf life of its buffer stock.
About Food Irradiation:
- Technology Purpose:
- Improves the safety and extends the shelf life of foods.
- Reduces or eliminates microorganisms and insects.
- Sources Used for Irradiation:
- Gamma rays.
- X-rays.
- Electron beam.
- Purposes of Irradiation:
- Prevention of Foodborne Illness:
- Eliminates organisms that cause foodborne illness (e.g., Salmonella, Escherichia coli).
- Prevents millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations each year.
- Preservation:
- Destroys germs that cause spoilage and decomposition.
- Extends the shelf life of foods.
- Control of Insects:
- Destroys insects in or on tropical fruits imported into the United States.
- Reduces the need for other pest-control practices that may harm the fruit.
- Delay of Sprouting and Ripening:
- Inhibits sprouting (e.g., potatoes).
- Delays ripening of fruit to increase longevity.
- Sterilization:
- Sterilizes foods, allowing them to be stored for years without refrigeration.
- Useful in hospitals for patients with severely impaired immune systems.
- Prevention of Foodborne Illness:
World Health Assembly
Recently, the World Health Organisation’s member states agreed to share outcomes of historic International Health Regulations (IHR), pandemic agreement processes to World Health Assembly.
About World Health Assembly:
- Decision-Making Body:
- The main decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Attendance:
- Attended by delegations from all WHO Member States.
- Focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.
- Functions:
- Determines the policies of the WHO.
- Appoints the Director-General.
- Supervises financial policies.
- Reviews and approves the proposed programme budget.
- Meeting Schedule:
- Held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.
Key Facts about International Health Regulations (IHR):
- Adoption and Revision:
- First adopted by the WHA in 1969.
- Last revised in 2005.
- Purpose:
- Maximise collective efforts to manage public health events.
- Minimise disruption to travel and trade.
- State Parties:
- 196 State Parties, including all 194 WHO Member States, Liechtenstein, and the Holy See.
- Legal Framework:
- Defines countries’ rights and obligations in handling public health events and emergencies that may cross borders.
- Provides safeguards to protect travellers’ and other persons’ rights regarding personal data, informed consent, and non-discrimination in health measures.
- Legally Binding:
- An instrument of international law that is legally binding on 196 countries.
Cyclone Remal: IMD Predictions and Impact
A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is set to intensify into Cyclone Remal, reaching Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts as a severe cyclonic storm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts the cyclone’s progression, predicting it to become a severe cyclonic storm by May 25 morning and make landfall between Sagar island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh by May 26 evening.
Cyclone Remal:
- Naming and Meaning:
- Named “Remal,” which signifies “sand” in Arabic.
- Follows the naming conventions for cyclones in the Indian Ocean region.
States Affected:
- West Bengal:
- Coastal districts affected: Kolkata, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, and Howrah.
- Expected weather: Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on May 26 and 27.
- Odisha:
- Expected weather: Light to moderate rain and thundershowers in north and south regions.
Wind Speed and Impact:
- South 24 Parganas:
- Gusty winds reaching up to 100 kmph.
- Purba Medinipur:
- Gusty winds reaching up to 80 kmph.
- Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, and Howrah:
- Gusty winds reaching up to 60 kmph.
- Impact:
- Risk of significant damage to affected areas due to high wind speeds.
Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index: Delhi Leads Indian Rankings
In the latest Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index, Delhi emerges as the highest-ranked Indian city, securing the 350th position among the world’s 1000 largest cities. However, no Indian city managed to break into the top 300. The index, encompassing cities from 163 countries, evaluates cities across five key categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment, and Governance. New York clinches the top spot, with London, San Jose, Tokyo, and Paris following suit.
Indian Cities Rankings:
- Top Indian Cities:
- Delhi leads.
- Bengaluru at 411th position.
- Mumbai at 427th position.
- Chennai at 472nd position.
- South Indian Cities:
- Generally fare better in the rankings.
Insights into City Rankings:
- Holistic Assessment:
- Rankings based on economic, social, and environmental standings.
- Factors include human capital, governance, and quality of life.
- Provides a comprehensive view of each city’s strengths and weaknesses.
Oxford Economics:
- Leading Economic Research Firm:
- Renowned as the world’s foremost independent economic advisory firm.
- Uses extensive datasets to create the Global Cities Index.
- Presence in over 200 countries.
- Expertise across various sectors.
- Offers invaluable insights into global economic landscapes.
Regional Comparisons: South Asia’s Performance:
- Pakistan Cities:
- Islamabad and Rawalpindi lead for Pakistan, securing the 578th spot.
- Comparison:
- Highlights the relative standings of cities within the South Asian region.
10th World Water Forum Opens in Bali, Indonesia
The 10th World Water Forum, themed “Water for Shared Prosperity,” officially commenced on May 21 in Bali, Indonesia. Attendees included numerous country leaders and United Nations representatives. The forum focused on four critical topics: water conservation, clean water and sanitation, food and energy security, and mitigation of natural disasters.
Presidential Address:
- Speaker: Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
- Highlight:
- Vulnerability of 500 million small farmers to drought by 2050.
- Small farmers contribute 80% of the world’s food.
- Emphasis: Importance of global collaboration in tackling water-related challenges.
World Water Council Insights:
- Speaker: World Water Council President Loic Fauchon.
- Focus:
- Need for global efforts to repair environmental damage.
- Providing hope for future generations.
- Unifying power of water.
Boost to Indonesian Tourism:
- Forum Impact:
- Attracted over 50,000 participants.
- Significantly enlivened Bali.
- Activities:
- Nearly 200 meetings and side events.
- Numerous cultural activities provided enriching experiences.
- Speaker: Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Uno Sandiaga.
- Impact:
- Bolstered Indonesia’s reputation as a world-class MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) destination.
Tourism and Economic Impact:
- Minister’s Remarks:
- Surge in international tourists attributed to favorable local policies.
- Enhanced global profile of Indonesian tourism.
- Strategy:
- Leveraging international events to promote tourism and attract investment.