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Earth May Have At Least Six "Minimoons" At Any Given Time: Study

Earth May Have At Least Six "Minimoons" At Any Given Time: Study

NDTV4 days ago
Scientists estimate that Earth may have at least six "minimoons" at any given time. Notably, this number is uncertain, and the researchers have called for further observations to confirm. As per the study published in the journal Icarus, the minimoon is a colloquial term for natural objects that complete an orbit around the Earth within a geocentric distance of three Earth Hill radii while being temporarily bound in the Earth-Moon system (EMS).
Scientists said minimoons are small, rocky fragments that temporarily orbit Earth before eventually moving on to circle the sun. They're usually less than 6.5 feet (2 metres) in size and can originate from various areas in the solar system, the study revealed.
Robert Jedicke, a researcher at the University of Hawaii and lead author of the study, told Space.com that it's "kind of like a square dance, where partners change regularly and sometimes leave the dance floor for a while."
The research suggests that minimoons may come from the Moon rather than the asteroid belt, as previously thought. This theory is supported by the discovery of minimoons with lunar-like compositions, such as 2024 PT5.
It's difficult to detect minimoons because of their small size and high speeds. As per the research, they can complete one rotation in under an hour and may showcase unique orbital patterns.
"Detecting objects in that size range means they have to be close so they are bright, but if they are close, it means they also appear to be moving quickly across the sky," Jedicke said. "It is incredible that modern telescopic surveys have the ability to detect such small objects up to millions of kilometres away."
Studying minimoons can provide insights into the Moon's history and crater formation process. They could also have commercial applications, such as resource extraction. Minimoons "may help reveal how the solar system formed and continues to evolve," Jedicke said
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India Selected to Host International Space Leaders for Karman Week 2025
India Selected to Host International Space Leaders for Karman Week 2025

Business Standard

time4 hours ago

  • Business Standard

India Selected to Host International Space Leaders for Karman Week 2025

PRNewswire Berlin [Germany] / Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], July 24: The Karman Project, a global foundation advancing peace and cooperation in space, has announced that its flagship event 'Karman Week 2025' will take place in Bangalore, India, hosted by one of the world's leading Earth Intelligence companies, SatSure. The coveted annual gathering will convene 15 high-impact global leaders in space - including astronauts, agency heads, and industry executives - for a week in October of strategic dialogue, cultural exchange, and innovation showcases. This year's selected delegation includes Fellows from such organisations as Axiom Space, Airbus, the Saudi Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and the Kenya Space Agency, among others. The Karman Project and SatSure share a long-standing relationship, with SatSure's Founder and CEO, Prateep Basu, selected as a Karman Fellow in 2020. As part of his Fellowship Commitment, Basu launched the SatSure Sparta platform - an internal initiative for making Earth observation data easy to consume and model for enabling financial inclusion of smallholder Indian farmers. The partnership reflects a shared mission to drive meaningful, cross-sectoral action in space, with Karman Week 2025 marking yet another milestone. "India is not only a leader in space exploration, but also a pioneer in using space technologies to address real-world challenges - be it agriculture, climate resilience, or disaster response," said Hannah Ashford, Managing Director of The Karman Project."Bringing our Fellowship to Bangalore allows us to engage directly with this spirit of purpose-driven innovation, and to connect our global leaders with one of the most dynamic and mission-oriented space ecosystems in the world." Bangalore is India's leading space and technology city, home to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and a flourishing startup and venture capital ecosystem. Karman Week 2025 will highlight India's leadership in public-private partnerships, climate-focused space applications, and international cooperation. The program will include direct engagements with the Indian space sector, alongside curated cultural activities and a nature-based leadership retreat. These immersive experiences aim to build trust and foster collaboration across borders and sectors. "Karman Week 2025 marks a significant moment for India's space ecosystem, and it's an honor for us to host it in Bangalore. It's an opportunity to highlight innovations emerging from India--particularly in space data and artificial intelligence--that are addressing global challenges in agriculture, climate, and sustainable development at scale," said Prateep Basu, Founder and CEO of SatSure. "As a Karman Fellow, I've seen the value of cross-border collaboration firsthand. We're excited to share India's journey and amplify conversations that turn vision into impact." Karman Week constitutes yet another landmark for India's monumental 2025 in outer space affairs. Demonstrating the country's strengths in both technical capability and international cooperation, this year has seen the 100th launch from India's primary spaceport, the Global Conference on Space Exploration in New Delhi, a docking maneuver between two satellites in orbit (a feat only three other nations have achieved), and ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's groundbreaking mission as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. With the Karman-SatSure partnership coming to fruition, the Indian private space sector makes a bold new statement about its commitment to facilitating international cooperation and building on ISRO's legacy of peaceful use of outer space. Now in its sixth edition, Karman Week has previously been held in countries including the United Arab Emirates, France, Maldives, and Bulgaria. The event is closed to the public and invitation-only, focused on deepening cooperation among the world's most responsible and influential space actors. Further program details will be released later in the year. For more information on the event or media inquiries, please contact: fellowship@ About The Karman Project The Karman Project is a global non-profit foundation promoting peace and security in space through international cooperation. The foundation's unique convening power enables it to bring together public and private sector decision-makers to build common understandings and impactful projects that advance sustainability, education, science, security, and capacity building efforts. 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Together, SatSure and KaleidEO offer a full-stack EO value chain, built in India for the world, empowering emerging nations by equipping stakeholders with decision intelligence for faster, smarter, and more informed action.

Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on Europa moon, chromosphere, NISAR mission and more (Week 120)
Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on Europa moon, chromosphere, NISAR mission and more (Week 120)

Indian Express

time19 hours ago

  • Indian Express

Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on Europa moon, chromosphere, NISAR mission and more (Week 120)

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on Science and Technology to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at With reference to the NISAR mission, consider the following statements: 1. It is an Earth observation satellite jointly developed by NASA and ISRO. 2. The satellite will be launched on the PSLV-C61 and put in a sun-synchronous orbit. 3. The satellite will scan the entire globe every 30 days, providing a series of very detailed images of the Earth's surface. 4. It will be the first satellite ever to observe the Earth in two frequencies. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four Explanation — The much-awaited launch of NISAR — an earth observation satellite jointly developed by NASA and ISRO — is set to take place on July 30 at 5:40 pm from the country's only spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — The satellite will be launched on the GSLV-F16 and be put in a 734 km sun synchronous orbit — an orbit in which the satellite reaches over a place at the same time each day. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — The satellite will scan the entire globe every 12 days, providing a series of very detailed images of the Earth's surface. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. — NISAR, which stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, will provide an unprecedented view of the planet. Weighing 2,392 kg it will be the first satellite ever to observe the Earth in two frequencies — NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band. 'Each system's signal is sensitive to different sizes of features on Earth's surface, and each specializes in measuring different attributes, such as moisture content, surface roughness, and motion,' according to NASA. Hence, statement 4 is correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. With reference to the chromosphere, consider the following statements: 1. It is a region sandwiched between the sun's atmosphere (the million-degree corona) and the photosphere (the sun's visible surface). 2. It is in the chromosphere where the solar flares, hot plasma jets, and powerful energy fluxes originate. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — Solar physicists will make a new attempt to observe the chromosphere of the sun, which is the most dynamic region. NASA, along with a team of international solar physicists, will launch a sounding rocket experiment on July 18 from New Mexico. — Reddish in colour, the chromosphere is a region sandwiched between the sun's atmosphere (the million-degree corona) and the photosphere (the sun's visible surface). It is in the chromosphere where the solar flares, hot plasma jets, and powerful energy fluxes originate. The temperature variations recorded along this region can vary between 6000 degrees Celsius and over a million degrees Celsius. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct. — The suborbital sounding rocket experiment will last under ten minutes. On board will be the Solar EruptioN Integral Field Spectrograph (SNIFS) – a solar-gazing spectrograph solar gazing spectrograph. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. Consider the following statements about MiG-21 fighter jets: 1. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to retire the remaining Russian-origin MiG-21 fleet in a ceremonial decommissioning on September 19 at the Chandigarh airbase. 2. There are five squadrons of the MiG-21 Bisons currently active. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — After protecting the Indian skies through all major conflicts over more than six decades, the legendary MiG-21 fighter jets are set to retire in September. — The Indian Air Force (IAF) will ceremonially decommission the last Russian-origin MiG-21 fleet on September 19 at the Chandigarh airport. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — Two squadrons of MiG-21 Bisons are currently operational. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — Since the aircraft's introduction into the IAF in 1963, India has purchased around 700 MiG-21s in various variants, including the Type-77, Type-96, BIS, and Bison. — The retirement of the ageing MiG-21 fleet was originally scheduled for 2022, but was postponed due to a delay in the planned induction of additional fighter jets, including the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, which will replace the MiG-21 squadrons. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. Which of the following viruses is also known as the 'bleeding eye' virus? (a) Marburg virus (b) Avian influenza (c) Hepatitis B virus (d) Hepatitis E virus Explanation — MVD, sometimes known as the 'bleeding eye virus,' is one of the worst diseases capable of infecting humans. Case mortality rates in previous outbreaks ranged from 24% to 88%, depending on the virus type and case care. The first incidence in Rwanda this year was recorded in September. — Marburg is a filovirus, just like Ebola. Both infections are clinically identical and, while rare, can generate high-fatality epidemics. — The first recognised MVD outbreak occurred in Marburg, Germany, in 1967. Following that, successive outbreaks have largely been recorded throughout Africa, most recently in Tanzania, Ghana, and now Rwanda. — The World Health Organisation has listed MVD as one of the infections that pose the greatest hazard to public health and for which no suitable treatments or vaccinations exist. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. Consider the following: 1. Sulphur compounds 2. Helium gas 3. Argon gas 4. Pyroclastic debris How many of the following are products of volcanic eruptions? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four Explanation — Volcanoes can be on land and in the ocean. They are formed when material significantly hotter than its surroundings is erupted onto the surface of the Earth. The material could be liquid rock (known as 'magma', when it's underground and 'lava' when it breaks through the surface), ash, and/or gases. — Magma refers to the material found in the upper mantle. When it begins to move towards the crust or reaches the surface, it is known as 'lava.' — Lava flows, pyroclastic debris, volcanic bombs, ash and dust, as well as gases such as nitrogen compounds, sulphur compounds, and trace amounts of chlorine, hydrogen, and argon, all make their way to the ground. — Helium is not a product of volcanic eruptions. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. Consider the following statements regarding Europa (one of the moon of Jupiter) Statement I : Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, is considered a strong candidate in the search for extraterrestrial life. Statement II : The James Webb Space Telescope has detected carbon dioxide and crystalline water ice on Europa's surface, indicating recent exposure of subsurface ocean material. Which one of the following is correct? (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct Explanation — Europa is widely regarded as one of the most promising places in our solar system to search for signs of life due to its subsurface ocean and signs of active geology. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — James Webb Space Telescope observations confirmed the presence of crystalline water ice, carbon dioxide, and sodium chloride on Europa's surface—especially in areas like Tara Regio—suggesting that material from the subsurface ocean is reaching the surface. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — These findings support the idea that Europa may have the chemical and physical conditions necessary for life, making the Statement II a correct explanation for the Statement I. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. CoinDCX, recently in the news, is related to: (a) A government digital payment initiative (b) A space-tech startup collaborating with ISRO (c) A cryptocurrency exchange that suffered a major hack (d) A fintech app launched by RBI for rural banking Explanation — CoinDCX, Mumbai‑based crypto exchange, lost US $44.2 million from an internal operational wallet hack on July 19, 2025, discovered 17 hours later by blockchain investigator ZachXBT. — It marks India's second major crypto hack in one year, reinforcing the urgency for stronger cybersecurity protocols and regulatory standards in the digital asset domain. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. With reference to the NASA's sounding-rocket mission, consider the following statements: 1. The instrument SNIFS is designed to study the Sun's chromosphere, which lies between the photosphere and the corona. 2. SNIFS will capture 3D spectroscopic data, obtaining a full spectrum for each pixel in view. 3. The mission will measure the hydrogen Lyman‑α spectral line, a key diagnostic tool for chromospheric conditions. 4. SNIFS is an orbital satellite mission scheduled to operate for several years. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2 and 3 only (c) 2, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Explanation — SNIFS (Solar EruptioN Integral Field Spectrograph) will study the chromosphere, the dynamic layer sandwiched between the Sun's visible surface (photosphere) and the outer corona. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — It is the first ultraviolet integral field spectrograph to fly for solar study, providing 3D data sets where each pixel carries its own spectrum. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — SNIFS targets the Lyman-α spectral line of hydrogen, the brightest line in the solar ultraviolet spectrum, crucial for diagnosing chromospheric temperature, velocity, and density. Hence, statement 3 is correct. — SNIFS is a suborbital sounding‑rocket experiment, not a satellite mission; it will operate for under 10 minutes, not years. Hence, statement 4 is not correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 118) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 120) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 119) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 119) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 119) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 119) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than five years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'LIVE with Manas'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More

Solar eclipse September 2025: Date, timings, details of the 5 upcoming celestial events
Solar eclipse September 2025: Date, timings, details of the 5 upcoming celestial events

Indian Express

time21 hours ago

  • Indian Express

Solar eclipse September 2025: Date, timings, details of the 5 upcoming celestial events

Solar eclipses are one of the most important celestial events. It is culturally and scientifically important. While researchers get the chance to study the Sun's corona and test relativity theories, various cultures see it as a symbol of change and a powerful omen. This year, the first one, which was a partial solar eclipse, took place on 29 March; the second is slated to occur on September 21. But before you get ready for the next solar eclipse, here's everything you need to know about this phenomenon. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon aligns between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow that partially or completely blocks the Sun's light. This rare event happens at least twice a year, when the celestial bodies are in alignment. To safely view a solar eclipse, observers must always use eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector. The only exception is during the brief period of totality of a total solar eclipse. It is advised to never look directly at the Sun without proper protection, including during partial or annular eclipses, or before/after totality. There are different types of solar eclipses; here are some that are going to appear in the upcoming eclipse. When the Moon moves between the Sun and Earth but they are not exactly in line, this is known as a partial solar eclipse. The Sun will have a crescent shape because only a portion of it will be covered. People who are not in the region where the Moon's inner shadow is visible witness a partial solar eclipse during a complete or annular eclipse. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon totally blocks the Sun's face as it moves between the Earth and the Sun. A total eclipse will occur for those who are in the middle of the Moon's shadow when it strikes Earth. As if it were dawn or sunset, the sky will grow darker. People who are in the path of a total solar eclipse, if the weather permits, the observer can see the Sun's corona, or outer atmosphere. Only during a total solar eclipse can spectators temporarily take off their eclipse glasses, which are different from ordinary sunglasses, for the brief instant when the Moon totally obscures the Sun. When the Moon is at or close to its furthest point from Earth, it can pass between the Sun and Earth in an annular solar eclipse. The Moon appears smaller than the Sun and does not entirely cover it because of its greater distance from Earth. Because of this, the Moon appears as a black disc on top of a brighter disc, giving the appearance of a ring surrounding the Moon. Here is a list of upcoming solar eclipses to mark your calendar, followed by a quick explainer on the phenomenon. On September 21 this year, a partial solar eclipse will take place. It will be visible from New Zealand, eastern Australia, the Pacific Islands, and Antarctica. The eclipse will begin at 17:29 UTC (10:59 PM IST), reach its peak at 19:41 UTC (1:11 AM IST on September 22), and end by 21:53 UTC (3:23 AM IST). The entire eclipse will be about 4 hours and 24 minutes. This event will not be visible from India, as it occurs overnight in the region. Another annular solar eclipse will happen on February 17, 2026. It will be the first solar eclipse of the year. It will be visible from parts of Africa, South America, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Indian Ocean, and Antarctica. The partial eclipse will start at 09:56 UTC (3:26 PM IST), and the annular phase (when the Sun appears as a 'ring of fire') will start at 11:42 UTC (5:12 PM IST). The peak eclipse occurs at 12:12 UTC (5:42 PM IST). The annular phase ends at 12:41 UTC (6:11 PM IST), and the partial eclipse ends by 14:27 UTC (7:57 PM IST). Similarly, another solar eclipse will take place on August 12, 2026. It would be the first total eclipse to be visible from mainland Europe since 1999. The eclipse will be visible from parts of Greenland, Iceland, Russia, Portugal, and Spain. The partial eclipse will start at 15:34 UTC (9:04 PM IST), while the total eclipse starts at 16:58 UTC (10:28 PM IST). The eclipse reaches its maximum at 17:46 UTC (11:16 PM IST) and ends at 18:34 UTC (12:04 AM IST, August 13). The final partial phase ends by 19:57 UTC (1:27 AM IST). This annular solar eclipse will take place on February 6, 2027, from parts of Africa, South America, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and Antarctica. The partial eclipse will start at 12:57 UTC (6:27 PM IST), while the annular (ring-shaped) eclipse will begin at 14:03 UTC (7:33 PM IST). The eclipse will likely reach its maximum at 15:59 UTC (9:29 PM IST). Meanwhile, the final phase of the annular eclipse will end at 17:55 UTC (11:25 PM IST), and the partial eclipse will end entirely by 19:01 UTC (12:31 AM IST on February 7). This total solar eclipse will take place on August 2, 2027. It will be the only eclipse to be visible in India. It will also be visible from parts of Europe, South and West Asia, Africa, eastern North America, and over the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The partial eclipse will begin at 07:30 UTC (1:00 PM IST), and the total eclipse at 08:23 UTC (1:53 PM IST). The eclipse reaches its maximum at 10:06 UTC (3:36 PM IST). The total eclipse ends at 11:49 UTC (5:19 PM IST), and the partial eclipse ends by 12:43 UTC (6:13 PM IST).

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