Current Affairs 2 November 2024
UPSC Current Affairs
GS Paper 2: Science and Technology
Black Hole Triple System
Context: Scientists have discovered a rare "black hole triple" system, located 8,000 light-years away in the Cygnus constellation. This unique system consists of a black hole and two orbiting stars.
About Black Hole Triple Systems:
- Definition: These consist of a black hole with two companion stars—one star orbits closely, while the other has a distant orbit taking about 70,000 years to complete.
- Discovery Details: Researchers identified the black hole, V404 Cygni, which is around nine times the Sun's mass, through gravitational interactions confirming the system's triple nature.
- Challenges Traditional Theories: This discovery questions the idea that black holes always form from supernovae, as V404 Cygni likely formed through "direct collapse" without an explosion, allowing it to retain nearby stars.
- Implications for Binary Systems: Suggests that some binary black hole systems may have originally been triples.
- Purpose: EVMs facilitate electronic voting in elections across India.
- Features: Can record up to 2,000 votes, offer encrypted memory for secure storage, and feature VVPAT for vote verification.
- Battery Details: Uses non-rechargeable alkaline batteries that last up to five years, with voltage displays instead of exact charge percentages for reliability.
- Fuel Type: Solid-fueled, making it more mobile and ready for use.
- Comparable Missiles: Similar to the U.S. Minuteman III and Russian RS-24 Yars.
- Support: Financial assistance covering 80% of drone costs.
- Training : 15-day course on drone operation and maintenance.
- Context: ISRO's analog mission in Ladakh tests conditions similar to Mars/Moon.
- Purpose: To prepare for missions like Gaganyaan by simulating life-support and communication systems under isolated, extreme conditions.
- Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR: Joint Indian-U.S. exercise in Idaho to strengthen special forces' interoperability.
- Exercise GARUD SHAKTI: Indian-Indonesian exercise focusing on jungle warfare and counter-terrorism.
- Context : Launched to bridge the rural digital divide by providing essential services at local centers.
- Services: Aadhaar, banking, telemedicine, education, and e-commerce, enhancing rural access to digital resources.
- Location: In Gandaki Province, Nepal, Annapurna Base Camp has seen record tourism after the Dashain festival.
- Nickname: Known as the "Killer Mountain" due to its challenging ascent for climbers.
Significance:
Facts for Prelims
Electronic Voting Machines (EVM)
Context: Concerns were raised regarding the battery levels of EVMs during the Haryana Assembly elections.
Overview:
Hwasong-19 Missile
Context: North Korea tested the Hwasong-19, claiming it to be the "world's strongest strategic missile."
Details:
Namo Drone Didi Scheme
Context: A government initiative to empower women SHGs by providing drones for agricultural use.
