Recently discovered nova investigated by astronomers

Nova

• Nova is any of a class of exploding stars whose luminosity temporarily increases from several thousand to as much as 100,000 times its normal level.
• A nova reaches maximum luminosity within hours after its outburst and may shine intensely for several days or occasionally for a few weeks, after which it slowly returns to its former level of luminosity.
• Stars that become novas are nearly always too faint before the eruption to be seen with the unaided eye.
• Their sudden increase in luminosity, however, is sometimes great enough to make them readily visible in the nighttime sky.
• To observers, such objects may appear to be new stars; hence the name nova, from the Latin word for “new.”
• Studying novae is crucial to advancing our knowledge about fundamental astrophysical processes, including stellar evolution.
• How do Novas occur?
  • Commonly, novas start as white dwarf stars that are part of a binary star system.
  • Binary stars are two stars that are close together in the distance and revolve around each other.
  • The white dwarf is small and dense, and it is essentially the insides of a star that lost its outer layers. These are older stars that have lost their shine and fuel.
  • The white dwarf is most likely paired with a red giant.
  • The white dwarf begins to pull on its companion, the red giant, with gravitational forces.
  • The white dwarf takes fuel and matter, especially hydrogen, from its companion and pulls it towards itself. The matter is quickly hurled towards the surface of the white dwarf.
  • Layers of material from the red giant gather on the surface of the white dwarf. As the layers are created, the material begins to grow hotter.
  • When the layers become compressed and hot enough, the material begins to combust and explodes through thermonuclear reactions.
  • The hydrogen material begins to react specifically with helium. The explosion of the materials causes the white dwarf to suddenly become bright as it throws off some of the material.

Scientists discover new species of ''music frog'' in Arunachal

New Frog Species

• It is a new species of ''music frog'' which is named Nidirana noadihing.
• The new frog of the genus Nidirana is phenotypically distinct from its congeners by a combination of morphological characters
• It is confirmed for the first time that the Nidirana genus has been found in India.
• The Nidirana species is known in Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
• Nidirana are known to inhabit swamps, ponds, and paddy fields, and they often construct nests to lay their eggs.
• The new species was named after the Noa-Dihing River, which is near where the specimens were discovered and collected.
• Appearance: The amphibians have "irregularly shaped and sized spots" on their eyelids and they have dark stripes around their moderately large eyes. Their pupils are gold-rimmed. Their irises are dark brown and have a golden spackle.

Indian Army contingent departs for Australia for joint military exercise

Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23

• It was instituted in 2022, and the first edition was conducted in Mahajan, Rajasthan.
• It is planned to be an annual training event to be conducted alternatively in India and Australia.
• The aim of the exercise is to foster collaborative partnerships and share best practises between the two sides.
• This year, the exercise will be conducted in Perth, Australia, from November 22nd to December 6th, 2023.
• The Indian Army contingent, comprising 60 personnel from a battalion of the Gorkha Rifles will take part in this exercise.
• The exercise will also promote inter-operability while undertaking multi-domain operations in urban and Semi-Urban terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations on peacekeeping operations.
• The joint exercise will promote the exchange of ideas and jointly rehearse tactics, techniques and procedures for conducting tactical operations.
• The exercise will also help in promoting understanding between the two militaries and further strengthening defence cooperation between the two friendly nations.

Atal Innovation Mission under NITI Aayog launches Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion

Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE)

• The India Australia RISE Accelerator is delivered in partnership between CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), the Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
• This initiative focuses on startups and small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India and Australia working on circular economy technologies and solutions.
• Focus Themes: With a focus on Environment and Climate Technology, the program will be tailored to accelerate start-ups working on a range of areas:
  • Climate Smart Agriculture
  • Clean Energy
  • Circular Economy and Waste Management
  • Climate Smart Mobility
• Over the nine months, the RISE Accelerator program will help startups navigate early steps in a new region, fast-track connections to the right partners, customers, and talent, and build credibility to succeed in international markets.
• The accelerator, in its first round, will focus on supporting startups and SMEs working on technologies and solutions for the waste and circular economy
• Participating startups may also be eligible for up to INR 40,00,000 in non-equity grants.
• The future rounds of the accelerator will focus on climate-smart agriculture, clean energy and climate smart mobility.

Circular economy

• A circular economy means products are designed in such a way that they can be used again, or even multiple times, to maximise their value

INCOIS ‘SAM’ study to understand fair weather patterns on seas for maritime activities

Southern Annular Mode

• It is the north-south movement of Southern Westerly Winds over timescales of 10s to 100s of years.
• It is also known as the Antarctic Oscillation.
• They blow almost continuously in the mid- to high-latitudes of the southern hemisphere.
• It is usually defined as the difference in the zonal mean sea level pressure at 40°S (mid-latitudes) and 65°S (Antarctica).
• Positive Southern Annular Mode
  • In this mode, there is lower anomalous air pressure over Antarctica and higher anomalous air pressure over the mid-latitudes.
  • The belt of strong westerly winds strengthens and contracts towards Antarctica.
• Negative Southern Annular Mode
  • In this mode, the belt of strong Southern Westerly Winds expands northwards towards the equator, bringing cold, wet weather to Patagonia, glacier advance, and decreased Circumpolar Deep Water upwelling on the Antarctic Continental Shelf.
• Significance
  • The study contributes to advancing the accuracy of wave predictions and can help identify fair-weather windows.
  • It will benefit the fishing community and blue economy stakeholders such as shipping, maritime boards and the oil industry for their multi-million dollar operations at sea.

International Tropical Timber Council concludes with major decisions, including its extension

International Tropical Timber Council

• It is the governing body of the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO).
• It meets at least once a year to discuss a wide-ranging agenda aimed at promoting sustainable tropical forest management and the trade of sustainably produced tropical timber.

59th ITTC

• The countries agreed to endorse eight projects related to sustainable forest management and related objectives.
• The session also approved and adopted a budget of $7.1 million for the coming financial year 2024-25.
• The council also approved a trial measure that will allow ineligible members to submit project proposals and concept notes.
• Members who have fallen behind on their financial contributions and are thus ineligible will be allowed to submit one project and concept note for every two years of arrears paid.

International Tropical Timber Organisation

• It is an intergovernmental organisation promoting the sustainable management and conservation of tropical forests and the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber from sustainably managed and legally harvested forests.
• It was established under the International Tropical Timber Agreement 1983 (ITTA 1983), negotiated under the auspices of the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
• It facilitates funding for forestry projects in tropical timber-producing countries.
• All projects are funded by voluntary contributions from governments.
• Members: 75 countries (including India)
• Its members manage about 80 percent of the world''s tropical forests and are responsible for 90 percent of the global tropical timber trade.
• Headquarters: Yokohama, Japan

IIT Guwahati to study Brahmani for rejuvenation

Brahmani River

• It is a major inter-state east-flowing river amongst the peninsular rivers in India.
• The river is known as Dhamra in its lower reaches.
• Origin:
  • It is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel riversnear the major industrial town of Rourkela in Odisha.
  • Both the sources of the Brahmani River are on the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
  • The Sankh River has its origins near the Jharkhand- Chhattisgarh border, along with the South Koel River, which also rises in Jharkhand.
• The Brahmani River basin is bounded in the north by the Chhotanagpur plateau, in the west and south by the Mahanadi basin, and in the east by the Bay of Bengal.
• It is one of the few rivers that cut across the Eastern Ghats and has formed a minor gorge at Rengali in Odisha, where a dam has been built.
• Course:
  • The basin flows through Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Orissa States, draining a total area of 39,033 sq. before it outfalls into the Bay of Bengal.
  • It winds generally south-southeast past Bonaigarh and Talcher in Odisha and then turns east to join the northern branches of the Mahanadi River, which then empties into the Bay of Bengal at Palmyras Point.
  • The Brahmani delta that is formed at this point is the site of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, famous for its estuarine crocodiles.
• Length: The total length of its run is about 799 km, of which 541 km are in Odisha itself.
• Tributaries: The principal tributaries of this river are Sankh, Tikra, and Karo.

Supreme Court Sets Aside Decree Passed in a Civil Suit for Specific Performance filed in 1999 for the Enforcement of an Agreement to Sell Executed in 1986

Suit for Specific Performance

• Specific performance is a remedy developed by the principle of equity.
• It is dealt with under Specific Relief Act, 1963.
• Parties to an agreement may insert a specific performance clause into the contract to protect their interests in the event of a breach of contractby either party, especially when the awarding of a monetary award may be deemed inadequate.
• A party to a contract who is damaged because the contract is breached by another party has the option to file a suit for specific performance, compelling him to perform his part of the contract.
• Before an equity court will compel specific performance, however, the contract must be one that can be specifically performed.
• Section 16(c) of the Act envisages that the plaintiff must plead and prove that he has performed or has always been ready and willing to perform the essential terms of the contract that are to be performed by him, other than those terms whose performance of which has been prevented or waived by the defendant.
• As the law of specific performance is basically founded on equity, considerations such as the conduct of the plaintiff, the element of hardship that may be caused to one of the parties, the availability of adequate alternative relief, and such other matters are taken into consideration.
• It is a discretionary relief. It is typically enforced by a court when money cannot adequately compensate the injured party and when the contractual obligation is unique or difficult to value.
• In our country, most of the specific performance suits relate to sales of immovable properties and, to some extent, the transfer of shares.
• For example, a contract for the sale of a specific piece of property, from which the owner pulls out, may result in a specific performance order requiring the seller to complete the sale to put the buyer in the position they would have enjoyed if the contract had been honoured in the first place.

Inter command ocean sailing race flagged off at kochi

Inter Command Ocean Sailing Race 2023:

• The race features four 40-footer sailboats, INSV Bulbul, INSV Neelkanth, INS Kadalpur, and INSV Hariyal, promising an adventurous journey in the Arabian Sea.
• Each sailboat has a crew of eight personnel from three naval commands and a combined team from Andaman and Nicobar Command, including Delhi area.
• The race will cover an approximate distance of 667km between the start point at Naval Base, Kochi, and Goa in about five days.
• The boats are expected to skillfully leverage the winds and proceed to Goa without the use of engines.
• The race is special from its previous edition as it includes a mixed crew comprising both men and women officers and sailors, symbolising gender neutrality and providing equal opportunity to all.
• As many as 32 participants would endure the challenges at sea, each one vying for the coveted title, as their vessels navigate through the dynamic currents and strong winds of the Arabian Sea.
• The race is being organised by Southern Naval Command under the aegis of the Indian Naval Sailing Association, based at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi.
• The event is coordinated by the Indian Navy’s Offshore Sailing Club based at ASW School, Kochi, and the Ocean Sailing Node based at INS Mandovi, Goa.
• The Navy uses the race to enhance risk-management abilities and technical skills, as well as instil a spirit of adventure among its crew.

NTCA recommends declaring Nugu as a core critical area of Bandipur

Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is situated north of Bandipur National Park in Mysore District, Karnataka.
• It covers about 30 sq km, and the northern part of the sanctuary is occupied by the Nugu Reservoir. It is built across the Nugu River, a tributary of the Cauvery.
• In 1974, Nugu was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary, and later, in year 2003-2004, the area of Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary was added to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• Rainfall: The area receives rainfall from both southwest and northeast monsoons. The average amount of rainfall received in this area is 1000 mm.
• Vegetation: Most of the vegetation in the forests is dry, deciduous and interspersed with patches of plantations.
• Flora:
  • Common species of trees found in this sanctuary are Anogeissus latifolia, Tectonia grandis, and Terminalia tomentosa.
  • Other species of trees that are dominant in this forest canopy include medicinal and commercially important tree species like Emblica officinalis, Santalum album, Albizia spp., and Dendrocalamus strictus.
• Fauna: The wildlife population includes elephant, leopard, jungle cat, wild pig, spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer, mouse deer, jackal, hare, common mongoose, common otter, small Indian civet, common palm civet, and porcupine.