SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Scientists
Discovered Two New Earth-like Planets
The Scientists at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics have discovered two Earth-like planets Kepler 438b and Kepler 442b. The findings of the discovery were published in The Astrophysical Journal on 5 January.The planets were spotted by Nasa’s Kepler space telescope which detects planets as they move across the faces of their stars. Kepler 438b is 475 light years away. It gets about 40 percent more heat from its red sun than Earth gets from the Sun.Kepler-442b is 1100 light-years away. It is 33 percent bigger than Earth and orbits its star once every 112 days. has a 60-percent chance of being rocky.
The Scientists at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics have discovered two Earth-like planets Kepler 438b and Kepler 442b. The findings of the discovery were published in The Astrophysical Journal on 5 January.The planets were spotted by Nasa’s Kepler space telescope which detects planets as they move across the faces of their stars. Kepler 438b is 475 light years away. It gets about 40 percent more heat from its red sun than Earth gets from the Sun.Kepler-442b is 1100 light-years away. It is 33 percent bigger than Earth and orbits its star once every 112 days. has a 60-percent chance of being rocky.
IAF gets
First Indigenously Built LCA Tejas
First indigenously-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar at ceremony held on 17 January at Bengaluru, Karanataka.It received its Initial Operational Clearance-I in January 2011, after being built by state-owned HAL. It is expected that the aircraft will receive its Final Operational Clearance by December 2015.
First indigenously-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar at ceremony held on 17 January at Bengaluru, Karanataka.It received its Initial Operational Clearance-I in January 2011, after being built by state-owned HAL. It is expected that the aircraft will receive its Final Operational Clearance by December 2015.
India
Successfully Test-Fired Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile Agni-V
India on 31 January successfully test-fired its indigenously developed, intercontinental surface-to-surface nuclear capable ballistic missile ( ICBM) ‘Agni-5′, which has a strike range of over 5000 kms and can carry a nuclear warhead of over one tonne, from Wheeler’s Island off Odisha coast. This was the third successful flight test of the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and the first canister trial. The first test was conducted on April 19, 2012 and the second test on 15 September, 2013 from the same base.
India on 31 January successfully test-fired its indigenously developed, intercontinental surface-to-surface nuclear capable ballistic missile ( ICBM) ‘Agni-5′, which has a strike range of over 5000 kms and can carry a nuclear warhead of over one tonne, from Wheeler’s Island off Odisha coast. This was the third successful flight test of the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and the first canister trial. The first test was conducted on April 19, 2012 and the second test on 15 September, 2013 from the same base.
NASA Launches
SMAP Satellite
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has on 2 February launched Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite to observe soil moisture.It was launched from the Delta 2 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SMAP satellite is three-year mission which will measure the amount of moisture in soil. It will produce high-resolution global maps from space and data collected from it will help scientists to monitor droughts and improve flood forecasts.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has on 2 February launched Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite to observe soil moisture.It was launched from the Delta 2 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SMAP satellite is three-year mission which will measure the amount of moisture in soil. It will produce high-resolution global maps from space and data collected from it will help scientists to monitor droughts and improve flood forecasts.
PERSONS IN NEWS
A)
APPOINTMENTS
Arvind
Panagariya Takes Charge As NITI Aayog Vice Chairman
Noted economist Arvind Panagariya on 13 January took charge as the first vice-chairman of the newly-created NITI Aayog. NITI Aayog has replaced the 65-year old Planning Commission. He is an Indian-American economist and Professor of Economics atColumbia
University
Noted economist Arvind Panagariya on 13 January took charge as the first vice-chairman of the newly-created NITI Aayog. NITI Aayog has replaced the 65-year old Planning Commission. He is an Indian-American economist and Professor of Economics at
A.S. Kiran
Kumar Took Over As The New Chairman Of ISRO
Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar (A.S. Kiran Kumar) took over as the new Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 14 January 2015.A.S. Kiran Kumar became the 8th Chairman of ISRO.
Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar (A.S. Kiran Kumar) took over as the new Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 14 January 2015.A.S. Kiran Kumar became the 8th Chairman of ISRO.
HS Brahma
Takes Charge As Chief Election Commissioner
Hari Shankar Brahma on 16 January assumed charge as the 19th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after he was elevated to the post on 14 January.He succeeded VS Sampath, whose tenure ended on 15 January 2015.
Hari Shankar Brahma on 16 January assumed charge as the 19th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after he was elevated to the post on 14 January.He succeeded VS Sampath, whose tenure ended on 15 January 2015.
B)RESIGNS
Leela Samson
Resigned As Chairperson of CBFC
Leela Samson on 16 January 2015 resigned as Chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification, (CBFC).She was appointed as the Chairperson of CBFC on 1 April 2011.
Leela Samson on 16 January 2015 resigned as Chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification, (CBFC).She was appointed as the Chairperson of CBFC on 1 April 2011.
C)DEATHS
Veteran
Scientist Vasant Gowarikar Died
Space veteran and eminent scientist Vasant Gowarikar was died on 2 January in Pune. He was the chief of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and also the scientific advisor to the Prime Minister of India in 1991-1993. Gowarikar made valuable contributions to the fields of space research, weather and population. Gowarikar was involved in space research in early career under Vikram Sarabhai when his office was in the building of the local St Mary Magdalene Church in Thumba in Kerala. He pioneered solid propelant development and later served as Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) between 1979 and 1985.Gowarikar was awarded Padma Shri in 1984 and Padma Bhushan in 2008. He also received the Fie Foundation Award.
Space veteran and eminent scientist Vasant Gowarikar was died on 2 January in Pune. He was the chief of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and also the scientific advisor to the Prime Minister of India in 1991-1993. Gowarikar made valuable contributions to the fields of space research, weather and population. Gowarikar was involved in space research in early career under Vikram Sarabhai when his office was in the building of the local St Mary Magdalene Church in Thumba in Kerala. He pioneered solid propelant development and later served as Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) between 1979 and 1985.Gowarikar was awarded Padma Shri in 1984 and Padma Bhushan in 2008. He also received the Fie Foundation Award.
D)VISITORS
U.S.
President Barack Obama Visited India
U.S. President Barack Obama visitedIndia India
and U.S signed several pacts during the official visit of the President of U.S
to India India US president to be chief guest at India U.S.
firms and India
U.S. President Barack Obama visited
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Miss Colombia Paulina Vega Crowned Miss Universe 2015
Miss Colombia Paulina Vega was crowned as Miss Universe 2015 at the final of the beauty pageant held inMiami Barranquilla , Colombia
was crowned by the 2014 pageant winner Venezuelan Gabriela Isler.With this,
Vega became the second beauty queen from Colombia
Miss Colombia Paulina Vega was crowned as Miss Universe 2015 at the final of the beauty pageant held in
PLACES IN NEWS
Qantas Named
World’s Safest Airline
Australia
ABBREVIATIONS
NRDC —- National Research and Development
Corporation
POTA —- Prevention of Terrorism Act
SAFTA — South Asian Free Trade Agreement
SAIL —- Steel Authority of India
UNDP —- United Nations Development Programme
VSSC — Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
BOOKS IN NEWS
Vice
President Released “The Indian Parliament – A Critical Appraisal”
The Vice President of India M.Hamid Ansari on 8 January released a book entitled “The Indian Parliament – A Critical Apprisal”. The book is authored by Prof. Sudha Pai and Avinash Kumar ofJawaharlal
Nehru University
The Vice President of India M.Hamid Ansari on 8 January released a book entitled “The Indian Parliament – A Critical Apprisal”. The book is authored by Prof. Sudha Pai and Avinash Kumar of
COMMITTEES
Subramanium
Committee Recommended Single Window System For Environment Projects
In the month of January 2015, High-level committee (HLC) headed by former Cabinet Secretary T S R Subramanium submitted its report to Union Government. In its recommendation, the committee suggested single window clearance mechanism for green nods.The committee has suggested an umbrella law to help set up new national and state-level regulators that would also take the powers of the existing pollution control boards. The law – Environmental Management Act – would do away with the need for separate Acts to regulate air and water pollution that empower states to give the consent to operate and establish industrial units.
In the month of January 2015, High-level committee (HLC) headed by former Cabinet Secretary T S R Subramanium submitted its report to Union Government. In its recommendation, the committee suggested single window clearance mechanism for green nods.The committee has suggested an umbrella law to help set up new national and state-level regulators that would also take the powers of the existing pollution control boards. The law – Environmental Management Act – would do away with the need for separate Acts to regulate air and water pollution that empower states to give the consent to operate and establish industrial units.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
National
Youth Day Observed Across India
on 12 January
National Youth Day was observed acrossIndia India
National Girl Child Day
Observed On 24 JanuaryNational Youth Day was observed across
National Girl Child Day is observed on 24 January 2015 across the nation. This celebration was started to offer more supports and new opportunities to the girls in the country. It is celebrated to increase the awareness among people about all the inequalities faced by the girl child in the society. This day is being observed every year on 24 January since 2008.
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