A first outside our solar system, an exoplanet named GJ 1132 b has gained a second atmosphere through volcanic activity after losing its original atmosphere.
The Earth-sized rocky exoplanet located 41 light-years away from our Earth orbits a dwarf star and was believed to have hydrogen and helium gases in its atmosphere before losing it to the intense radiation of the young hot star it orbits.
The evidence of a new atmosphere was found using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Hubble telescope.
Astronomers were surprised by the new findings as the new atmosphere contains a toxic mix of hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen cyanide. In addition, it also contains an aerosol haze similar to Earth which is a result of photochemically produced hydrocarbons.
Mar 15, 2021
China Wants Astronauts to Stay on Moon for Long Periods
Once China establishes a lunar research station, its astronauts will stay on the moon for long periods of time as they conduct scientific studies, citing the architect of China's lunar programme.
China has mapped out a series of uncrewed missions this decade, including the setting up of a robotic base to explore the moon's south polar region, ahead of manned landings.
"If the lunar research station project is successfully implemented, China will not be far away from achieving manned landings."
Scientists Unlock Mysteries of World's Oldest Computer
A 2,000-year-old device often referred to as the world's oldest "computer" has been recreated by scientists trying to understand how it worked.
The Antikythera Mechanism has baffled experts since it was found on a Roman-era shipwreck in Greece in 1901.
The hand-powered Ancient Greek device is thought to have been used to predict eclipses and other astronomical events.
But only a third of the device survived, leaving researchers pondering how it worked and what it looked like.
The back of the mechanism was solved by earlier studies, but the nature of its complex gearing system at the front has remained a mystery.
Scientists from University College London (UCL) believe they have finally cracked the puzzle using 3D computer modelling. They have recreated the entire front panel, and now hope to build a full-scale replica of the Antikythera using modern materials.
World's Most Powerful Supercomputer Fugaku is Ready for Use
The Japanese scientific research institute called RIKEN and Fujitsu started developing the "Fugaku" six years ago. It is the world's most powerful supercomputers. Fugaku has been named after an alternative name for Mount Fuji. Now, this supercomputer is fully ready and developed in Japan and is now available for research use. This supercomputer has been developed with the aim of making the device core of the computing infrastructure of Japan.
The supercomputer was tested for the particular projects in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020.
Now the Fugaku is fully open and available for shared use. The Research Organization for the Information Science and Technology (RIST) of Japan has selected some 74 projects which will use this supercomputer in the financial year 2021.
RIST has also proposed for the development of the new projects in several categories and has invited the researchers who are interested to apply for the same.
ISRO Launches Rocket to Study Attitudinal Variations
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched a sounding rocket to study attitudinal variations in the neutral winds and plasma dynamics from Sriharikota spaceport.
ISRO has developed a series of sounding rockets called Rohini series, important among them being RH-200, RH-300 and RH-560, number in the name indicating the diameter of the rocket in mm, according to the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency.
Sounding rockets are one or two stage solid propellant rockets used for probing the upper atmospheric regions and for space research.
Mar 14, 2021
ISRO's NISAR to be First Satellite to Enable Earth Observation in 2 Frequencies
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sent its s-band synthetic aperture radar to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for integration with their l-band radar last week. Coupled together, the Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) will become the first satellite to enable earth observation in two frequencies.
After integration, the payload will be sent back to India for launch from the country's only spaceport at Sriharikota sometime in April or May next year.
According to NASA, the satellite will provide an "unprecedented view of the Earth" at less than one centimetre across.
Mar 13, 2021
ISRO and JAXA Decide to Monitor Air Quality
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have decided to join hands to take up activities on rice crop area and air quality monitoring using satellite data.
A bilateral meeting between ISRO and JAXA was held on virtual mode. Dr. K. Sivan, Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary, Department of Space and Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa, President, JAXA led their respective delegations.
Apart from reviewing on-going cooperation in earth observation, lunar cooperation and satellite navigation, both sides have agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in space situational awareness and professional exchange programme.
Both agencies signed an implementing arrangement for collaborative activities on rice crop area and air quality monitoring using satellite data.
Mar 12, 2021
Turkey's Salda Laked Called Mars on Earth
The scientists are looking for the signs of ancient life on the Red Planet with the help of data gathered by the NASA's rover Perseverance which is exploring the surface of Mars. Scientists find that the data collected on the mission is much closer to home at the Salda Lake located in southwest Turkey.
The American space agency, NASA, stated that the minerals and rock deposits at Salda Lake are the nearest match on earth with the deposits on the Jezero Crater where the spacecraft landed. The Jezero Crater is believed to be once flooded with water. The Information which was gathered from Lake Salda would help the scientists to search for the fossilised traces of microbial life which is preserved in the sediment which were deposited around the delta and the long-vanished lake. Scientists are of the view that, these sediments around the lake were eroded from large mounds which are formed with the help of microbes and are called as microbialites.
Salda Lake is a mid-size crater lake which is located in southwestern Turkey. It lies within the boundaries of Yeşilova district in Burdur Province. The lake is located at the distance of about fifty kilometres in the west from Burdur. The lake is included in Turkish Lakes Region which is extended across the inner western to southern Anatolia. It has the area of 4,370 hectares and a depth of 196 metres.
India's Largest Floating Solar Power Plant to be Commissioned by NTPC
According to NTPC southern region executive director CV Anand, India's largest floating solar power plant of 100 MW capacity, belonging to the National Thermal Power Corporation, is expected to be commissioned at Ramagundam in May this year.
The floating solar photo-voltaic project would be spread over 450 acres on the water surface of Sri Ram Sagar Project reservoir. This will be the largest floating solar plant in the country in a single location as of now. The total cost of the project would be Rs. 423 crore, including GST.
The NTPC southern region has taken setting up of solar power plants of the total capacity of 450 MW. Of this, 217 MW plants would be floating on water bodies. Apart from the 100 MW plant at Ramagundam, the corporation is setting up 92 MW floating unit at Kayamkulam gas plant in Kerala and a 25 MW unit at Simhadri power plant in Visakhapatnam.
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