Category: Life & Style

According to LiveScience, scientists used sonar equipment to locate approximately 40 strange craters beneath Lake Michigan. These remarkable formations, extending between 500 and 1,000 feet in diameter, were discovered during a survey of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The craters, which are southeast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, were confirmed in August 2024 by researchers from NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) and maritime archaeologist Russell Green.

Local shipwreck hunter Brendon Baillod first noticed the depressions while looking for a sunken vessel. He described them as irregularly shaped and 20 to 40 feet deep and said they could be generated by trapped gas or water upwelling. Kevin Cullen of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum argued that the craters could be linked to old underwater gorges caused by glaciers or sinkholes, given Lake Michigan’s partly limestone formation. However, no groundwater movement has been recorded in the craters thus far.

According to GLERL’s Steve Ruberg, further research may yet reveal water circulation beneath the lakebed. Freshwater prawns, tiny fish and invasive quagga mussels have all been identified in the craters. The craters remain a geological enigma, with researchers planning additional investigations to better understand their creation and influence on Lake Michigan’s ecosystems.

NASA has established the LunaRecycle Challenge, a new competition that will provide a $3 million prize fund to inventors who develop groundbreaking recycling technology for deep space missions. This effort is consistent with NASA’s vision for a long-term human presence on the Moon and future space exploration beyond Earth.

The competition seeks energy-efficient, low-mass, and low-impact recycling solutions for inorganic waste such as food packaging, abandoned clothing, and scientific experiment materials. Unlike past contests that aimed to reduce waste mass and volume, the LunaRecycle challenge focuses on transforming trash into usable resources for space operations, advancing both on-surface and in-space production.

The competition includes two unique tracks: Prototype Build, which focuses on constructing actual hardware and systems, and Digital Twin, which challenges contestants to design virtual models of recycling systems. This dual approach attempts to encourage widespread engagement from innovators around the world.

NASA is focussing on three important areas with this initiative: habitat logistics tracking and trash management, manufacturing parts and goods from recycled materials, and space-based production from repurposed waste.

Amy Kaminski, program executive for NASA’s Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing program, emphasises the challenge’s larger benefits, pointing out that sustainable space operations may inspire advances in waste management on Earth.

The Chandrayaan-4 mission, India’s ambitious next step in lunar research, will analyse the Moon’s habitability by returning surface samples. The mission, expected to cost ₹2,104.06 crore, will launch in 2029 and consist of five modules: Ascender Module (AM), Descender Module (DM), Re-entry Module (RM), Transfer Module (TM), and Propulsion Module (PM).

These components will be launched in two stacks from two distinct LVM3 launch vehicles.

Upon touchdown, a surface sampling robot mounted to the DM will collect 2-3 kg of lunar samples from the landing site. In addition, a drilling mechanism will extract subsurface samples and transfer them to a different container in the AM. To maintain the samples’ integrity during their journey to Earth, the containers will be properly sealed to prevent contamination and leakage.

The entire sample collection process will be closely monitored using video cameras, allowing for extensive analysis.

This mission not only marks a great advancement in space exploration but also emphasises the employment of local technologies. Indian companies are projected to play a critical role in its success by supporting skill development, offering significant job opportunities, and pushing technological innovation.

On this Rosh Hashanah, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes for a year filled with hope, health, and peace to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli people, and the Jewish community around the world. He penned the words “Shana Tova!” on X.

Along with its Israeli friends, the Indian Embassy in Israel raised a glass to Rosh Hashanah.

The Jewish High Holy Days begin every autumn with Rosh Hashanah.

The prime ministers discussed about the worsening situation in West Asia on September 30. Ensuring the safe release of captives and preventing additional violence were his top priorities. “India is committed to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and stability,” the Prime Minister wrote on X.

When Iran fired roughly 200 missiles at Israel, the recent instability in West Asia escalated. Both the Israeli and American defence forces were able to deflect the missiles, owing to the assistance of the United States military. A “big mistake” had been committed by Iran, according to Netanyahu, who warned Tehran of repercussions.

Shukrayaan-1, the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) is planned for launch on March 29, 2028, by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The Indian space program has made great strides forward with this mission. Venus is commonly referred to as Earth’s twin, and the mission of Shukrayaan-1 is to investigate this intriguing celestial body.

The orbiter, which will be launched into Venus’ orbit on July 19, 2028, will continue its 112-day voyage powered by ISRO’s LVM-3 rocket. The mission adds to the world’s understanding of our solar system and demonstrates India’s increasing space exploration capabilities.

The sophisticated scientific equipment on board Shukrayaan-1 can analyse the makeup of Venus’s atmosphere, create detailed maps of the planet’s surface, and even identify seismic or volcanic eruptions. This mission seeks to shed light on the perplexing phenomena caused by Venus’s thick atmosphere and harsh surface conditions.

Important scientific goals, as stated by ISRO, involve studying Venus’s airglow, subsurface features, solar X-rays near the planet, and atmospheric dust. Aerobraking and thermal management systems will be tested in Venus’s severe environment as part of the mission to demonstrate new technology.

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft from India touched down safely inside a buried impact crater that was probably there before the South Pole Atkin (SPA) basin, and it had a circumference of around 160 km and a depth of about 4.4 km. The Physical Research Laboratory and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) came up with this discovery, and they published it in the scholarly journal Icarus. The Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover are part of the mission that landed in the lunar highlands close to the southern pole.

The landing location showcases intricate geological formations that have been formed by multiple impact events. It is situated approximately 350 kilometres from the rim of the SPA basin, the largest impact basin in our solar system. Images taken by the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter and the Pragyan rover’s navigation camera showed that the landing location had linear, groove-like structures that had been created by impacts from a distance.

Exploration of the surrounding area uncovered a severely degraded semicircular formation, which was identified to be an underground impact crater formed by ejecta from the SPA basin. Materials from the SPA basin and deeply excavated lunar materials are hosted by this ancient crater, according to ISRO. It is one of the oldest on the Moon.

Tourists, skilled professionals, and students from India now have 250,000 more visa slots at the US Mission in India. Officials said this is an effort to speed up the visa interview process, improving travel between the US and India.

American Ambassador Eric Garcetti praised President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their joint efforts to simplify the visa procedure. He complimented the consulates and embassies for their efficient management of the increasing demand.

There was a 35% increase from 2023 to 2024, with over 1.2 million Indians visiting the United States. No less than one million nonimmigrant visa applications were received by the US Mission for the second consecutive year. All first-time applicants for student visas were able to acquire appointments at one of the five consular sections across India during the recent season.

Family reunions, economic assistance, and tourist promotion are the current priorities of the US Mission. Six million Indians now own nonimmigrant visas, and many more are issued daily.

For the third year running, Indian nationals were granted more student visas than any other country in the United States in 2023, with over 140,000 visas.

Mithun Chakraborty, the legendary actor, will get this year’s prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, made the announcement on Monday, September 30, through a post on X.

He said, “From Kolkata’s streets to Cinematic Heights, Mithun Da’s incredible journey has inspired generations! I am honoured to announce that the Dadasaheb Phalke Selection Jury has decided to award legendary actor Sh. Mithun Chakraborty Ji for his iconic contribution to Indian cinema.”

Chakraborty will receive the prize during the 70th National Film Awards ceremony on October 8. Mithun debuted in Mrinal Sen’s Mrigayaa in 1976, winning his first National Film Award for Best Actor. The film was a huge hit in India and the then-Soviet Union, paving the way for his legendary career.

Mithun’s popularity increased after the release of Disco Dancer in 1982, which was a smash hit throughout Asia, the Soviet Union, and other nations. Mithun was speechless when President Droupadi Murmu awarded him the Padma Bhushan only a few months ago.

Mithun remains a towering presence in Indian cinema, having starred in famous films like as Agneepath, Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye, and OMG: Oh My God.

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh took command of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday, following Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, who had retired after three years of service. Singh is a skilled fighter pilot with over 5,000 flight hours, and he previously served as Vice Chief.

As Chief of Air Staff, his principal focus would be on obtaining new fighter jets and modernising the IAF to meet national security issues. He is also responsible for advancing the government’s theaterisation reform project.

Born on October 27, 1964, he was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in December 1984. He graduated from the National Defence Academy, the Defence Services Staff College, and the National Defence College. Singh, a trained flying instructor and experimental test pilot, supervised the MiG-29 upgrade project in Moscow and served as the flight test project director for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft at the National Flight Test Centre.

During his 40-year career, Singh has held several distinguished roles, including Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command. He has received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and is well-known for his dedication to fitness.

Billie Jean King became the first female athlete to win the Congressional Gold Medal, which recognises her remarkable achievements in sports and society. President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan legislation on Thursday, honouring King’s lifelong commitment to equal rights in sports and beyond.

The law, filed in September on the 50th anniversary of King’s famed victory over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes,” sailed unanimously through the Senate before being approved by the House of Representatives. King’s victory over Riggs is still the most-watched tennis match of all time, representing the fight for gender equality in sports.

The Congressional Gold Medal is Congress’ highest civilian award, bestowed upon persons for extraordinary achievements. Previous winners include Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer.

In addition to this honour, King received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, the bill’s co-sponsor, hailed King for “breaking barriers, leading uncharted paths, and inspiring countless people to stand proudly with courage and conviction in the fight for equality and justice.” King’s legacy has inspired generations of athletes and campaigners alike.