GEOGRAPHY IN NEWS

Frigid planet detected orbiting nearby star: Based on two decades of astronomical observation, astronomers have observed that a frozen and dimly lit planet, dubbed a “Super-Earth,” may be orbiting the closest single star to our solar system. The planet, estimated to be at least 3.2 times more massive than Earth, was spotted circling Barnard’s Star, a type of relatively cool and low-mass star called a red dwarf, about 6 light-years away from our solar system, comparatively close in cosmic terms. It is believed to orbit Barnard’s Star every 233 days.

Greenland ice sheet hides huge 'impact crater’: A large impact crater has been identified beneath the Greenland ice sheet. The 31km-wide depression came to light when scientists examined radar images of the island's bedrock. Investigations suggest the feature was probably dug out by a 1.5km-wide iron asteroid sometime between about 12,000 and three million years ago.

Increasing reflection of cirrus cloud: As cirrus clouds are not able to reflect ample sunlight back into space, scientists have devised a noble method to inject ice dust nuclei into strata where they form to reduce their optic depth. This would allow more heat to escape into space. This will control global warming.

How 'miniature suns' could provide cheap, clean energy: In quest of harnessing clean energy, Scientists have opted to create miniature suns which use nuclear fusion technology. This technology includes fusion of nuclei of two atoms, a reaction similar to sun’s nuclear energy. This step will help to generate sustainable and clean energy.

Strange waves rippled around the world, and nobody knows why:  On the morning of November 11, a mysterious rumble rolled around the world. The seismic waves began roughly 15 miles off the shores of Mayotte, a French island sandwiched between Africa and the northern tip of Madagascar. The waves buzzed across Africa, ringing sensors in Zambia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. They traversed vast oceans, humming across Chile, New Zealand, Canada, and even Hawaii nearly 11,000 miles away. Unique feature of this earthquake wave was that it rolled across the globe, without causing any disturbance. This is the first instance when such phenomenon has been observed.

Asteroid Bennu: Recently Oris Rex spacecraft reached asteroid Bennu. Asteroid Bennu which formed 4.5 billion years ago, is carbon rich and can provide vital evidences regarding the origin of our solar system. Bennu is also considered potentially hazardous to earth and its atmospheres as in near future it can strike earth and form a large crater. Hence, it becomes essential to study it. This is the first time NASA will be able to collect material from an asteroid before it only Japan had accomplished this task.