[Mission 2024] Current Affairs Quiz , 7 October 2023

Solution: c)

Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered methane and carbon dioxide on the exoplanet K2-18 b.

K2-18 b is located in the “Goldilocks zone” around the cool dwarf star K2-18, where it receives just enough starlight to maintain liquid water.

It’s considered a “Hycean planet,” a hypothetical type of water-covered planet with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere that some scientists believe is a good candidate for the search for signs of life.

A habitable zone, also called the “Goldilocks zone”, is the area around a star where it is not too hot and not too cold for liquid water to exist on the surface of surrounding planets.

Obviously, our Earth is in the Sun’s Goldilocks zone. If Earth were where the dwarf planet Pluto is, all its water would freeze; on the other hand, if Earth were where Mercury is, all its water would boil off.

Source

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

NASA recently shared a captivating image of Mercury, the solar system’s smallest planet.

• Mercury’s unique characteristics, such as its thin exosphere consisting of elements like oxygen, sodium, hydrogen, helium, and potassium.
• Due to its lack of atmosphere and proximity to the Sun, the planet experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, ranging from a scorching 800ºF (430ºC) during the day to a frigid -290 ºF (-180 ºC) at night.
• Additionally, Mercury possesses a relatively weak magnetic field, only 1% as strong as Earth’s, which interacts with solar winds to create magnetic tornados across the planet’s surface.

Source

Solution: d)

Solution: b)

Technically, the Lieutenant Governor has executive control over only the three reserved subjects of police, public order and land; all other subjects (transferred subjects) lie with the elected government.

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

PDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and State Governments. The Central Government takes the responsibility for procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation of foodgrains, at subsidised prices. The responsibility of distribution to consumers including target groups through a network of various fair price shops (FPSs) rests with the State Governments.

The buffer stock provides the basic and most flexible instrument for moderating short-term effects of supply or production shortfalls. The concept of a buffer stock was first introduced during the 4th Five Year Plan (1969-74) and a buffer stock of 5 million tonnes of foodgrains was envisaged. The buffer stock figures are normally reviewed after every 5 years.