Japanese astronomers discovered second largest black hole in Milky Way

Japanese astronomers’ team discovered the second largest black hole in Milky Way. They mapped high velocity compact cloud called CO-0.40-0.22 with a mass 100000 times that of the Sun around 200 light years away from the centre of the Milky Way. The research related to this was published in Astrophysical Journal Letters with the little ‘Signature of an Intermediate Mass Black Hole in the Central Molecular Zone of our Galaxy’ on December 2015. A team led by Tomoharu Oka, a professor at Keio University observed this mysterious cloud with two radio telescopes, the Nobeyama 45m Radio Telescope in Japan and the ASTE telescope in Chile. These both telescopes are operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.

NASA formalized Planetary Defense Coordination Office to detect and track near Earth Objects

On 7 January 2016, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that it had formalized its ongoing program for detecting and tracking near Earth objects (NEOs) as the Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO). It will remain within NASA’s planetary Science Division under Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

Main Functions:

Ø  It will supervise all NASA-funded projects to find and characterize asteroids and comets that pass near the orbit of the Earth around the sun.

Ø  It will take a lead role in coordinating interagency and intergovernmental efforts in response to any potential hazards that impact Earth.

Ø  It will also issue notice of close passes and warnings of any detected potential threats, based on credible science data.

Ø  It will continue to assist to coordinate Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), other U.S. agencies and international counterparts to participate in the precautionary actions against an actual impact hazard.

NASA started discovering the NEOs in 1998 and since then 13500 NEOs were discovered with 1500 new addition every year. It was engaged in worldwide planning for planetary defense for some time.

ISRO and KISR signed MoU on cooperation in space exploration

On 20 January 2016, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

Highlights:

Ø  It will allow use of data from Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites by KISR for initiating a few research and application projects.

Ø  It will also enable Training and Building and launching of remote sensing and communication satellites on commercial terms.

Ø  It will provide impetus to explore newer research activities and application possibilities in the field of remote sensing satellite communication satellite navigation and exploration of outer space.

Ø  It will lead to developing a joint activity in the field of application of space technology for the benefit of humanity.

Ø  It will lead to setting up of a Joint Working Group from ISRO and KISR which will work out the plan of action including the time frame and the means of implementing this MoU.

China launched Gaofen-4 dual-use Geostationary satellite

On 29 December 2015, China successfully launched Gaofen-4 Earth observation satellite toward a geostationary orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the south-western province of Sichuan. The satellite was launched aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket. Launched as a part of the China High-resolution Earth Observation System (CHEOS), Gaofen-4 is located at the orbit 36000 kilometres away from the earth and moves synchronously with the earth.

Highlights:

Ø  It can see an oil tanker on the sea with a huge CMOS camera, reaching the best imaging level among global high-orbit remote sensing satellites.

Ø  It will be used for disaster prevention and relief, surveillance of geological disasters and forest disasters, and meteorologic forecast.

Ø  It will offer optical spatial resolution of better than 50 meters and infrared sensing capabilities from geostationary orbit.

Ø  It is designed to operate for eight years at an altitude of almost 36000 km above the Earth.

The satellite was launched as a part of Gaofen Project that aims to launch seven high-definition observation satellites before 2020. Gaofen-1, the first satellite of the project, was launched in April 2013.

Scientists of California spotted the potential Planet 9

Scientists spotted the potential planet by seeing the disturbances that it is causing in the gravitational field of the far solar system. There appears to be a great perturber upsetting the movement of other objects in that far away region. Konstantin Batygin and Micheal E. Brown, the researchers at the California Institute of Technology claimed it as a possible ninth planet and their research papers were published in The Astronomical Journalon 20 January 2016 with the title ‘Evidence for a distant Giant Planet in the Solar System.‘ As for their study, The Planet is surrounded by much brighter lights even the distant Pluto could be about 10000 times brighter. So, they opined that the planet might have made its way out to the edge of the solar system when it was thrown out there by the gravity of Jupiter or Saturn.

IUPAC announced addition of Four Elements to complete Seventh row of Periodic Table

On 30 December 2015, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) announced discovery and assignment of elements with atomic number 113, 115, 117 and 118. The decision was taken by the IUPAC as the four elements met the discovery of elements of IUPAP/IUPAC Transfer-mium working group (TWG) 1991 Discovery Criteria. All these four elements are synthetic in nature. They were discovered by scientists belonging to USA, Russian and Japan and complete 7^th row of the periodic table of the elements. Also these four elements are the first to be added to the table since2011, when elements 114 (Flerovium, FI) and 116 (Livermorium, LV) were added.

NHAI signed MoUwith ISRO and NECTAR to use spatial technology for monitoring National Highways

On 13 January 2016, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) signed a memorandum of Understanding with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and North East Centre for Technology Application and Research (NECTAR) to use spatial technology for monitoring and managing National Highways. NHAI will receive satellite data and geospatial technology acquired by both Indian and foreign satellite product companies from National Remote Sensing Centre under ISRO. It uses that data & technology to prepare Detailed Project Report (DRP), prefeasibility status in new alignment, upgrade or road widening, monitoring of road segments which provide inputs in highway and infrastructure projects. While, Aerial images for infrastructure planning which are acquired using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) by NECTAR will be used in monitoring the construction process, road asset management, feasibility report and DPR preparation, immediate assessment and remedy of problematic spots. NHAI will take up some pilot projects with both NRSC and NECTAR top identify and finalise actual use and benefits of both satellite data & geospatial technology and UAV technology in highway and infrastructure sector.