AstroSat
Recently, researchers have discovered a vampire star in the M67 star cluster (Cancer constellation) that rejuvenates by siphoning material from a companion star using AstroSat.
Vampire stars, more formally known as blue stragglers, are a fascinating and unusual type of star found in star clusters.
- AstroSat is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, designed to study celestial sources across various spectral bands, including X-rays, optical, and ultraviolet light.
- AstroSat operates in a 650-km orbit with a 6° inclination, making it an important instrument in India's space research.
- Launched in- 2015.
- Launched Vehicle- PSLV-C30.
- Mass- 1515 kg.
- Managed by - The spacecraft control center at Mission Operations Complex (MOX) of ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Bengaluru.
- Objectives- To observe astronomical objects in multiple wavelengths simultaneously, enhancing understanding of the universe.
- To investigate the emission processes, characteristics, and time variability of celestial sources.
- Payloads
- Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT)- Observes near-ultraviolet, far-ultraviolet, and visible regions.
- Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC)- Observes in the hard X-ray band.
- Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT)- Observes in the soft X-ray band.
- Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager (CZTI)- Observes in the hard X-ray band.
- Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM)- Monitors the sky for transient X-ray sources.
- Scientific focus- ASTROSAT will operate as a proposal-driven general-purpose observatory, with a main scientific focus on
- Simultaneous multi-wavelength monitoring of intensity variations in a broad range of cosmic sources.
- Monitoring the X-ray sky for new transients.
- Sky surveys in the hard X-ray and UV bands.
- Broadband spectroscopic studies of X-ray binaries, AGN, SNRs, clusters of galaxies, and stellar coronae.
- Studies of periodic and non-periodic variability of X-ray sources.
References
- PIB | AstroSat
- Astrosat | ASTROSAT
Sturgeon
Sturgeon fish species is being heavily poached & trafficked in the Lower Danube, said World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
- Sturgeon is the common name for the 28 species of fish belonging to the family Acipenseridae.
- Sturgeons are the world’s most endangered fish.
- Habitat - Native to temperate waters of the Northern Hemisphere mainly Danube river.
- Most species live in the ocean while a few others are confined to fresh water.
- Danube Sturgeons – There were 6 sturgeon species formerly native to the Danube river.
- IUCN Red List category
- European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) - Locally extinct.
- The ship sturgeon (A. nudiventris) - Locally extinct.
- The remaining 4 sturgeon species in the Danube Basin are threatened.
- Stellate sturgeon (A. Stellatus) - Critically Endangered.
- The Russian sturgeon (A. Gueldenstaedtii) - Critically Endangered.
- Beluga (Huso huso) - Critically Endangered.
- Sterlet (A. Ruthenus) – Endangered.
- CITES Regulation - Since 1998, international trade in all species of sturgeons has been regulated under CITES.
- All sturgeons and parts or derivatives thereof (e.g. caviar, meat, skin, etc.) that enter international trade require the issuance of CITES permits or certificates.
- Threats - Poaching and trafficking .
- Heavily exploited globally for their roe/eggs (caviar) and meat.
References
Down To Earth | Sturgeon
Green National Highway Corridor Project
The Government of India and the World Bank have recently signed an agreement for the construction of Green National Highway Corridors Project (GNHCP).
- It is a safe, green, Climate resilient road that is built using green technologies in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
- Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance) Policy was launched in 2015.
- Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- Aim - To provide smooth and motorable roads with all-weather connectivity of the nearby areas.
- Socio-economic development as well as enhanced trade and connectivity within the region.
- Enhance the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in mainstreaming safety and green technologies.
- Project Period – 2020 to 2026.
- World Bank Fund - $500 Million.
- Features of Green highways corridor
- Conservation of natural resources using cement treated sub base/reclaimed asphalt pavement.
- Promote use of local/ marginal material such as lime, fly ash, waste plastic.
- Use of bio-engineering measures for slope protection like coco fibre/Jute.
- Erosion control blanket with shrub/grass plantation and hydroseeding.
- Hydroseeding - Mixture of seed, mulch, fertilizer, and water is sprayed onto the soil surface using specialized equipment.
- It is used for controlling erosion and promoting vegetation growth on bare or disturbed soil surfaces.
- Shotcrete crib wall with vegetation, Bamboo Plantation, Hedge Brush Layer.
- Hedge Brush layering is a revegetation technique, which combines layers of dormant or rooted cuttings with soil to revegetate and stabilize both streambanks and slopes.
- Use of chain mesh with grass strips, Geocell with hydroseeding etc. for slope protection.
- Geocell is a 3- dimensional honeycomblike cellular structure.
- Benefits - Green technologies and bio engineering solutions reduce carbon emissions.
- Conservation of natural resources during the life cycle (construction and operation period) of the project.
References
PIB | Implementation of Green National Highway Corridor Project
New Blue Revolution Initiatives
The Union Minister for the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying recently discussed the government initiatives on the New Blue Revolution in the Lok Sabha session.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
- Launched- September 2020.
- Duration- FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.
- Aim- It aims to bring about the Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India.
- Objective- The scheme targets activities that have the potential to create employment opportunities, including seaweed and ornamental fish cultivation.
- It also emphasizes advancements in breeding techniques to ensure high-quality brood, seed, and feed, as well as the diversification of species.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
- Objectives- Creation and modernization of capture & culture fisheries infrastructure
- Creation of Marine Aquaculture Infrastructure
- Creation and modernization of Inland Fisheries Infrastructure,
- Reduce post-harvest losses and improve domestic marketing facilities through infrastructure support
- To bridge the resource gap and facilitate completion of ongoing infrastructure projects.
- Support- Concessional finance and interest subvention up to 3% per annum for a repayment period of 12 years.
- It creates employment opportunities to over 9.40 lakhs fishers’/fishermen/ fisher folks and other entrepreneurs in fishing and allied activities.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PMMKSSY)
- Launched- 2024.
- Objectives
- Formalize Sector- Register fishers, farmers, and workers on a National Fisheries Digital Platform for better service delivery.
- Access to Finance- Facilitate institutional financing for small fisheries enterprises.
- Insurance Incentive- Provide a one-time incentive for purchasing aquaculture insurance.
- Performance Grants Reward microenterprises for enhancing fisheries value chains and creating jobs.
- Safety and Quality- Support micro and small enterprises in adopting fish safety and quality systems with performance grants.
Reference
PIB | New Blue Revolution
Miombo forest
The FAO and AICS have signed two agreements to protect the miombo forest and boost trade in the Mozambique-Zimbabwe border region.
- About- It is named after the Swahili word for the dominant Brachystegia tree species.
- Location- Primarily in Central Africa.
- Area- Approximately 2.7 million square kilometers.
- Dominant trees- Brachystegia and Julbernardia species
- Bordering countries- Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
- Climate- Ranges from humid to semi-arid, and tropical to subtropical or even temperate.
- Soils- Soils of the Miombo woodlands are generally nutrient-poor.
- Flora - It is home to over 8,500 plant species, with 54% being endemic.
- Fauna- It also provides habitat for a diverse range of wildlife including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, antelopes, lions, and over 1,000 bird species.
- Importance-
- Provides essential resources, supports biodiversity, and maintains the Greater Zambezi River basin.
- Providing 70-90% of all energy consumed in southern Africa as fuelwood or charcoal.
- Supplying about 90% of all energy consumed in Tanzania.
- Threats-
- Trees are being cut for charcoal, firewood, tobacco curing, and farmland expansion.
- Wildfires lead to deforestation and degradation.
- Illegal hunting, especially for rhino horn and elephant ivory, is a major threat.
References
- Down to Earth | Miombo woodland
- WWF | Miombo woodlands
