
Simultaneous polls feasible: EC
EC OPINED: SE will give incumbent government to formulate policies and implement programmes continuously for a longer time without interruptions of MCC.
FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SE : • Requires necessary changes in Constitution and the Representation of the People Ac • Requires more EVMs and VVPAT machines.
Source : THE HINDU
The Moon once had an atmosphere: NASA study
NEWS : The Moon once had an atmosphere before 3-4 billion years ago.
HOW DO YOU SAY THAT? About 3.5 billion years ago = due to Intense volcanic eruptions - so much gas was released that it would have formed a thin atmosphere around the Moon. Now, it doesn't have an atmosphere because it is too small and doesn't have a strong magnetic field.
EVIDENCE OF CO : The broad dark patches, now we see on the moon, known as maria were created by large lava flows that later cooled to become basalt plains.
The two largest pulses of gases were produced when lava seas filled the Serenitatis and Imbrium basins about 3.8 and 3.5 billion years ago, respectively.
Lava samples indicate those magmas carried gas components, such as carbon monoxide, the ingredients for water, sulphur, and other volatile species.
WAY FORWARD : 1. Source of ice trapped in the Moon could be used for drinking water, growing food, and other needs by astronauts. 2. It could also provide fuel and air for both lunar surface operations and even missions beyond the Moon.
THIS DAY, THAT YEAR : NICK AND LED
NEWS : On October 9, 1962, Nick Holonyak, Jr. demonstrated the first practical visible light-emitting diode (LED).
ALL ABOUT LED :
Small light sources or thin chips, LEDs become illuminated by the movement of electrons through a semiconductor material.
LEDs, known for their energy efficiency and long life, are available in multiple colours now. The bright, white light is the most popular solution for home lighting.
In terms of energy savings, LEDs use up to 75% less energy when compared incandescent lamps.
In terms of lifetime, LEDs last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lamps and up to three times longer than most compact fluorescent lamps (CFL).
LEDs are compact in shape, allowing for flexibility in design.
SCHEMES IN NEWS
SCHEME 1 : Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI)
1. OBJECTIVE : Government of India aims to reach each and every child under two years of age and all those pregnant women who have been left uncovered under the routine immunisation programme.
2. GOAL : This immunisation drive is for select districts and cities to ensure full immunization to more than 90% by December 2018. PIB : 08/10/2017
SCHEME 2 : VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research) Faculty scheme
VAJRA by the Department of Science and Technology which enables NRIs and overseas scientific community to participate and contribute to research and development in India.
IMPLEMENTATION :The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory body of the Department will implement the Scheme.
SIGNIFICANCE : The Scheme recognizes the value of collaborative research as a crucial element for information sharing among researchers for updating and acquiring knowledge and skills, and also to draw different perspectives to solve a shared problem.
That's it for today folks!