Idu Mishmis and Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary
Arunachal Pradesh is a state in the northeastern region of India that is known for its rich biodiversity and cultural diversity. The state is home to various indigenous tribes, one of which is the Idu Mishmi tribe. The tribe has a distinct culture and tradition that is deeply connected to the wildlife of the region, particularly the tigers and hoolock gibbons. It is currently protesting against the proposed tiger reserve in the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, responsible for the management of Project Tiger, India’s flagship program for tiger conservation.
- The Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Arunachal Pradesh, was notified in 1998 and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including Mishmi takin, musk deer, goral, clouded leopards, snow leopards, and tigers.
- The Idu Mishmi tribe is estimated to have a population of around 12,000 people and speaks the Idu Mishmi language.
- The Idu Mishmi Cultural and Literary Society (IMCLS) is the apex body of the Idu Mishmi tribe, working towards the preservation of their cultural heritage and language.
- Recently, the Indian government proposed the creation of a new tiger reserve in the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The Idu Mishmi language is considered endangered by UNESCO, and efforts are being made to document and preserve it.
Idaho’s Abortion Trafficking Law
On April 5, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed into law House Bill 232, which creates a new crime called “abortion trafficking.” The law makes it illegal for adults to get abortion drugs for a minor or to “recruit, harbor or transport the pregnant minor” across state lines to terminate a pregnancy without parental consent. The law also prohibits anyone from helping a minor get an abortion by supplying them drugs or helping them across state lines to terminate a pregnancy without parental consent. The new law takes effect on 1st of July this year.
- The new crime, “abortion trafficking,” carries a potential jail sentence of two to five years. The Idaho attorney general has the power to bring charges against people accused of violating the law, even if the county prosecutor chooses not to pursue criminal charges.
- Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates-West condemned the law, calling it “despicable,” and vowed to stop it. Idaho is one of 36 U.S. states that mandate parental involvement regarding a minor’s decision to have an abortion. However, Washington, Oregon, and California have been presented as safe havens for women seeking abortions.
Indian Space Policy 2023
The Indian government recently approved the Indian Space Policy 2023, with the aim of institutionalizing and facilitating private sector participation in the Indian space sector. The policy’s approval by the Cabinet Committee, helmed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a significant step towards transforming India into a major space power.
- Under the new policy, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will focus on research and development of advanced space technologies. The private players’ participation in the space sector is crucial to increase India’s current share of less than two per cent in the global space economy to 10 per cent in the future.
- New Space India Limited (NSIL) will carry out strategic activities related to the space sector. NSIL will work in a demand-driven mode, according to Union Minister Jitendra Singh. This means that private players will have access to end-to-end space activities, including building rockets, satellites, launch vehicles, data collection, and dissemination.
- Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (In-Space) serves as a liaison between ISRO and private sector enterprises.
- Over 100 active space companies have been operating in India since 2012, according to the Economic Survey of India. Private sector companies like SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, have become a popular choice for space missions around the world. The Indian government’s approval of the Indian Space Policy 2023 is expected to encourage more private sector companies to enter the space sector.
NIRCam Instrument
The Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) is the primary imaging instrument of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). It covers the infrared wavelength range from 0.6 to 5 microns, making it an invaluable tool for studying various celestial objects. It played a crucial role in the recent discovery of four of the most distant galaxies ever observed.
- Since its launch in 2021, JWST has been sending back an impressive amount of information and images, surpassing the capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope. The JWST is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including the NIRCam, which allows scientists to cross new frontiers in exploring the universe.
- In two studies published in the Nature Astronomy journal, astronomers revealed that NIRCam has helped them detect the four most distant galaxies ever observed. The farthest galaxy, named JADES-GS-z13-0, was formed just 320 million years after The Big Bang. This discovery is significant because it is the greatest distance ever observed by astronomers.
- The four distant galaxies detected by NIRCam are “very low in mass,” weighing roughly a hundred million solar masses. In comparison, the Milky Way weighs 1.5 trillion solar masses. However, these galaxies are very active in star formation in proportion to their mass.
- JADES-GS-z10-0, one of the four galaxies detected by NIRCam, was previously spotted by the Hubble Space Telescope. This highlights the importance of combining the capabilities of both telescopes to make groundbreaking discoveries.
Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) Mission
The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) is a mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) set to launch on April 13, 2023, from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
- JUICE’s investigations on Europa will be focusing on the chemistry essential to life, including organic molecules. It will help in the understanding the formation of surface features and the composition of non water-ice material.
- After launch, JUICE will take 7 to 8 years to reach Jupiter, utilizing Earth and Venus gravity assists. During the journey, the spacecraft will undergo multiple tests to ensure it can withstand the harsh conditions of space.
- Upon arrival at Jupiter in 2031, JUICE will flyby Ganymede and Callisto to optimize its orbit around Jupiter. These flybys will also include a flyby of Europa. After studying Jupiter and its moons, JUICE will enter a highly elliptical orbit around Ganymede, which will evolve to a 5000 km circular orbit, and will then be lowered into a 500 km circular orbit. After it maps and conducts other investigations at this altitude, it will move to a 200 km circular orbit.
- The nominal mission length for JUICE is about 3 years, with the possibility of an extension of 200 or more days. It will conclude with an impact on the Ganymede’s surface.
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