Current Affairs 27th Aug 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

StudyIQ offers Daily Current Affairs and Important News for the UPSC Exam 2024. Check here for Current Affairs of 27th Aug 2024 for the UPSC Exam and State PSC Exam.

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Nangarni Spardha

It is a centuries-old traditional Oxen race.
Location: Ratnagiri (Maharashtra)
It is held during the rainy season

Ocean of Magma on Moon’s Surface

Context

A recent study revealed that a type of rock known as ferroan anorthosite was found in moon soil. This discovery was confirmed using the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) on the Pragyaan rover.

Major Findings of Pragyaan Rover

Discovery of Sulphur & Other Elements:
- It identified the presence of sulphur on the lunar surface which was not detected in this region by previous missions.
- Some other elements like aluminium, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese, silicon, and oxygen were also detected.
- These elements provide insights into the moon’s geological history.
Presence of ferroan anorthosite:
- It reported the presence of a rock type called ferroan anorthosite in the lunar soil.
- Scientists believe that these anorthosite rocks could be the remains of an ancient ocean of magma that blanketed the moon’s surface around four billion years ago.
- Ferroan anorthosite is a type of igneous rock that is composed primarily of plagioclase feldspar with a higher iron content.

Theories related to Moon’s origin

According to Scientists, the moon was born from the remains of a headlong collision between the early earth and some rogue planetary body years ago.
Its rocky surface was initially molten.
The minerals in there slowly crystallised as the lava cooled to form rocks of various kinds, including ferroan anorthosite.

Key facts about the Chandrayaan-3 Mission

It is ISRO’s lunar exploration mission which successfully demonstrated its ability to safely land and operate a rover on the Moon’s surface.
It consists of a propulsion module, a Lander (Vikram), and a Rover (Pragyan).
Launch: July 14, 2023 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre
Landing on Moon: August 23, 2023 at Shiv Shakti Point

Advanced instruments in Chandrayaan-3

Lander payloads:

Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE): To measure thermal conductivity and temperature on the surface.
Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA): To detect Moonquakes.
Laser Retroreflector Array (from NASA): To measure distances using laser ranging to understand the dynamics of the Moon system.

Rover payloads:

Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS): To analyse the elemental composition of the lunar soil and rocks.
Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS): To examine the chemical and elemental composition of the lunar surface.

National Monsoon Mission

Context

The Indian government is planning to launch a new mission, with a budget of around Rs 10,000 crore, to make weather forecasts more accurate. It is likely to be several times bigger than the Monsoon Mission.

About National Monsoon Mission (NMM)

It was launched to improve monsoon rainfall prediction models.
Launch year: 2012
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES)
Implementing Agency: Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
Objectives:
- To improve Seasonal and Intra-seasonal Monsoon Forecast
- To improve Medium Range Forecast.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)

It is the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects.
Establishment Year: 1875 (New Delhi)
Regional Meteorological Centres of IMD (6): Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Calcutta, Nagpur and Guwahati.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences