GS Paper 3
Context: There were multiple articles on space in the last week, we have tried to compile them together here.
The origin of life and the presence of organic molecules in space:
- Scientists have identified key steps for life to emerge, such as the formation of complex organic molecules.
- Organic molecules, including those essential for life, are primarily carbon-based.
Discovery of the CH3+ molecule and its implications for life:
- CH3+ is a basic building block for more complex reactions.
- The molecule’s unique “fingerprints” were identified in light emitted by a disk of dust and gas around a young star in the Orion Nebula.
Euclid telescope mission to investigate dark energy and dark matter:
- The Euclid telescope, developed by the European Space Agency, aims to investigate dark energy and dark matter.
- Dark energy and dark matter are believed to constitute 95% of the known universe.
- It will survey galaxies up to 10 billion light years away and precisely measure their distances.
Neutrino Observatory’s view of the Milky Way and its cosmic insights:
- The IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica detected neutrinos emitted by astrophysical sources.
- Neutrinos are “ghost particles” ideal for studying high-energy processes in the universe.
- Researchers analyzed data from ten years and identified nearly 60,000 neutrino events.
- The findings offer insights into cosmic rays and provide a basis for future advancements.
Discovery of low-frequency gravitational waves and their significance:
- Scientists confirmed the existence of low-frequency gravitational waves predicted by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity.
- Gravitational waves are ripples in space-time caused by the movement and merging of massive objects.
- Radio telescopes studying pulsars detected inconsistencies in radiation bursts, indicating the presence of gravitational waves.
- These waves likely originated from the merger of large black holes at the centres of galaxies.
- The discovery expands our understanding of the universe, black holes, and the workings of space-time.
Insta Links:
Mains Link: UPSC 2016
Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?
