About Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC):

• It is the primary payload of the Aditya-L1 Mission-India’s first mission to observe the Sun from a vantage point 1.5 million kilometres from the earth.
• It is an internally occulted solar coronagraph capable of simultaneous imaging, spectroscopy, and spectro-polarimetry close to the solar limb.
• It is built by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) at its CREST (Centre for Research and Education in Science and Technology) campus at Hosakote, Karnataka.
• The VELC consists of a coronagraph, spectrograph, polarimetry module, and detectors, aside from auxiliary optics.
• Purpose:
  • It will observe the solar corona, which is the tenuous, outermost layer of the solar atmosphere. 
  • VELC can image the solar corona down to 1.05 times the solar radius, which is the closest any such payload has imaged.
  • It will analyze the coronal temperature, plasma velocity, density, etc.
  • It will also study Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and the solar wind. 

What is a Coronagraph?

• It is a specialized instrument designed to block out the light of the sun so that researchers can glimpse the burning star's hot, thin, outermost layer, called the corona. 
• The French astronomer Bernard Lyot invented the coronagraph in the 1930s.
• The sun's corona is normally visible only during solar eclipses, when the moon's shadow covers the bright central layers of our parent star and allows its dimmer corona to appear.
• A coronagraph mimics this natural phenomenon with a circular mask that sits inside a telescope and selectively blocks the bulk of the sun's light.
• The specialized coronagraphs act as filters on the central star, allowing the tiny fragments of planetary light to shine through.

Q1: What are Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)?

CMEs are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's atmosphere—the corona, that propagate outward into interplanetary space. During a CME, the sun releases a colossal amount of material, including electrons, protons, and heavier ions, as well as magnetic fields.

News: ‘First significant’ results from payload onboard maiden solar mission Aditya-L1

About IL-35 Protein: 

• It is a specific protein of IL-12α and IL-27β chains.
• It helps protect against type 1 and autoimmune diabetes.
• It regulates macrophage activation, T-cell proteins, and regulatory B cells.
• It inhibited pancreatic beta cell-attacking immune cells. Additionally, IL-35 lowered particular immune cells that produce inflammatory chemicals, reducing pancreatic cell infiltration, a key contributor in type 1 diabetes and autoimmune diabetes mellitus.

What is autoimmune diabetes mellitus?

• Autoimmune diabetes mellitus or T1DM is an organ-specific autoimmune disease.
• It affects the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, after an inflammatory process leads to a chronic deficiency of insulin in genetically susceptible individuals.
• It ultimately results in lifelong dependence on exogenous insulin.
• It is a complex multifactorial disease in which both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors promote the autoimmune responses against beta cells.
• Several environmental risk factors have been suggested as candidate triggers of islet autoimmunity, including certain viruses higher birthweight, infant weight gain, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and various dietary factors (e.g., vitamin D deficiency, omega-3 fatty acid deficiency, high milk consumption) 
• There are no preventive or immunosuppressive therapies that can prevent damage or disease manifestations.

Q1: What is Immune Imprinting?

Immune imprinting is a tendency of the body to repeat its immune response based on the first variant it encountered (through infection or vaccination) when it comes across a newer or slightly different variant of the same pathogen.

News: IL-35-Mediated Immunotherapy: A New Treatment for Type I and Autoimmune Diabetes Mellitus

About Minuteman III Missile:

• The LGM-30G Minuteman III is an American intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
• "L" in LGM is the US Department of Defense designation for silo-launched; "G" means surface attack; and "M" stands for guided missile.
• It first became operational in the early 1970s.
• It is the sole land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad.
• It was designed and manufactured by the Boeing Corporation. 
• Originally, it was only supposed to be kept in service for about ten years, but instead, it has been modernized as its replacement, the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD),is due to become available for use in 2029.
• It was the first U.S. missile fitted with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs).
• The United States currently has an estimated 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.
• Features:
  • It is a three-stage, solid-fuel missile.
  • The missile is 18.2 m long with a diameter of 1.85 m and a launch weight of 34,467 kg.
  • Speed: Approximately 15,000 mph (Mach 23 or 24,000 kph) at burnout (Hypersonic).
  • It has a maximum range of 13,000 km and is capable of carrying a payload of three re-entry vehicles.
  • It now carries a single nuclear war head pursuant to arms control agreements between the United States and Russia. 
  • The Minuteman missiles are dispersed in hardened silos and connected to an underground launch control center through a system of hardened cables. 
  • It has a fast launch time, nearly 100 percent testing reliability, and backup airborne launch controllers to preserve retaliatory capabilities.

Q1: What are ballistic missiles?

A ballistic missile is a rocket-propelled, self-guided strategic-weapons system that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload from its launch site to a predetermined target. They are powered initially by a rocket or series of rockets in stages, but then follow an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descending to reach its intended target. They can carry conventional high explosives as well as chemical, biological, or nuclear munitions.

News: US To Test Hypersonic Nuclear Missile After Polls Close: Report

About Vitamin D:

• Vitamin D (also referred to as calciferol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in a few foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.
• It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis.
  • During periods of sunlight, vitamin D is stored in fat and then released when sunlight is not available.
• Foods that naturally have vitamin D include egg yolks, saltwater fish, and liver.
• Why is vitamin D so important?
  • Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and helps maintain adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, which is necessary for healthy bones and teeth.
  • Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen.
  • Vitamin D also plays a role in your nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and immune system.
• Vitamin D Deficiency:
  • A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone diseases such as osteoporosis or rickets. Osteoporosis is a disease in which your bones become weak and are likely to fracture (break).
  • With chronic and/or severe vitamin D deficiency, a decline in calcium and phosphorus absorption by your intestines leads to hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in your blood). 
  • This leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands attempting to keep blood calcium levels normal).
  • Both hypocalcemia and hyperparathyroidism, if severe, can cause symptoms, including muscle weakness and cramps, fatigue, and depression.

Q1: What are Vitamins?

Vitamins are a group of substances that are needed for normal cell function, growth, and development. There are 13 essential vitamins. Each has a different role in maintaining health and bodily function

News: Vitamin D Deficiency Can Trigger Autoimmune Conditions. Here's Why.

About Proba-3 Mission:

• It is the European Space Agency's (ESA) first mission dedicated to precision formation flying.
• It is the innovative mission which will demonstrate precision formation flying between two satellites to create an artificial eclipse, revealing new views of the Sun’s faint corona.
• The core objective of the mission is to create an artificial eclipse by precisely coordinating two independent satellites. This capability will enable scientists to observe the Sun's corona, a region typically obscured by the intense brightness of the Sun. 
• It consists of two small satellites — a Coronagraph spacecraft and a solar-disc-shaped Occulter spacecraft.
• Working
  • By flying in tight formation about 150 metres apart, the Occulter will precisely cast its shadow onto the Coronagraph’s telescope, blocking the Sun’s direct light.
  • This will allow the Coronagraph to image the faint solar corona in visible, ultraviolet and polarised light for many hours at a time.
  • It will provide new insights into the origins of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — eruptions of solar material that can disrupt satellites and power grids on Earth.
  • The mission will also measure total solar irradiance, tracking changes in the Sun’s energy output that may influence Earth’s climate.

Q1: What are Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)?

CMEs are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's atmosphere—the corona, that propagate outward into interplanetary space. During a CME, the sun releases a colossal amount of material, including electrons, protons, and heavier ions, as well as magnetic fields.

News: Europe's Proba-3 mission to arrive in India for launch aboard PSLV-XL by Isro

About Exercise VINBAX 2024: 

• It is a bilateral army exercise conducted between India and Vietnam.
• This edition marks a significant increase in the scope with Bi Service level participation for the first time by personnel of Army and Air Force from both the countries.
• The Indian Army contingent comprising 47 personnel is being represented by a Regiment of the Corps of Engineers along with personnel from other arms and services.
• The aim of VINBAX-2024 is to enhance joint military capability of both sides in employment and deployment of Engineer Company and Medical Teams to undertake engineering tasks as part of United Nation Contingent in Peace Keeping Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• The conduct of VINBAX-2024 as a field training exercise with enhanced scope from previous editions of bilateral exercise will strengthen mutual confidence, interoperability and enable sharing of best practices between the Indian Army and Vietnam People’s Army. 
• A 48 hours Validation Exercise with Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief demonstration and equipment display is also part of the schedule to assess the standards achieved by both contingents
• The joint exercise will also provide an opportunity to the troops of both the Contingents to learn about the social and cultural heritages of each other.

 Q1) What does UN peacekeeping do?

UN peacekeepers provide security and political and peacebuilding support to help countries make the difficult, early transition from conflict to peace. Peacekeepers protect civilians and empower national authorities to assume these responsibilities.

News: PRESS RELEASE

About PM Vishwakarma Yojana:

• It is a central sector scheme launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
• It offers services like market linkage support, skill training, and incentives for digital transactions to artisans and craftspeople engaged in specified trades.
• Time period: Five years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28). 
• Aim: 
  • To strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara, or family-based practice of traditional skills by artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and tools. 
  • The scheme also aims at improving the quality as well as the reach of the products and services of artisans and craftspeople and to ensure that the Vishwakarmas are integrated with the domestic and global value chains.
• Eligibility & coverage:
  • It is available for rural and urban artisans and craftsmen across India.
  • It covers 18 traditional crafts such as Boat Maker; Armourer; Blacksmith; Hammer and Tool Kit Maker; etc.
  • Five lakh families will be covered in the first year and 30 lakh families over five years.
• Key Benefits
  • Enhanced Access to Tooling Facilities: Improves MSMEs' access to tooling resources, boosting their efficiency and productivity.
  • Industry-Ready Manpower: Provides training programs to equip participants with skills that meet industry standards.
  • Support for Process and Product Development: Facilitates development initiatives within relevant sectors to enhance competitiveness.
  • Consultancy and Job Work Services: Offers tailored consultancy and job work to address the specific needs of various industries.

Q1: What is a central sector scheme?

Central Sector Schemes are those that are implemented by a central agency and 100% funded by the center on subjects within the union list.

News:Honoring Artisans: PM Vishwakarma Yojana

About Gravity Energy Storage: 

• It is a new technology that stores energy using gravity.
• How does it work?
  • It involves lifting a heavy mass during excess energy generation and releasing it to produce electricity when demand rises or solar energy is unavailable. 
  • The types of weights used are often water, concrete blocks or compressed earth blocks.
  • Unlike pumped-hydro energy storage, gravity energy storage offers more flexibility in site selection. 
  • A typical setup involves a heavy piston within a fluid-filled cylindrical container.
  • When solar energy production exceeds demand, surplus electricity lifts the piston, converting the surplus electrical energy into stored energy. 
  • When demand surpasses supply, the piston descends, driving water through a turbine to generate electricity supply to meet demand.
• Advantages
  • It can last for decades with minimal maintenance, unlike batteries that degrade over time.
  • It avoids harmful chemical reactions, reducing environmental impact and disposal issues, an important consideration in the move towards a greener planet.
  • It can also be more cost-effective for large-scale applications, with lower level costs of energy and storage.
  • It is particularly advantageous in areas with space constraints or environmental concerns that restrict the deployment of other storage systems.

Q1: What is Renewable energy?

It is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being replenished. Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us.

News: How gravity can be harnessed to store renewable energy

About Common Cat Snake:

• Common Cat Snake, also known as Indian gamma snake, is a species of rear-fanged snake endemic to South Asia.
• Scientific Name: Boiga trigonata 
• In India, it is found all over the country, excluding north-east states after Sikkim; it is also, not found in Indian islands.
• Habitat: It can be found in almost all kinds of forests and wide ranges of elevations.
• While venomous, the Common Cat Snake's venom is not considered highly dangerous to humans. It primarily uses its venom to subdue prey.
• Features:
  • It is a medium-sized snake that is usually found in the 70-100 cm range.
  • Its body is slender, thin, and bears a thin tail.
  • Its upper body colour is grey-brown, with cream-coloured irregular markings, margined with black colour.
  • Its underside is yellow-white or yellow-brown.
  • Its head is large, triangular-shaped, and distinctly broader than the neck. 
  • Unlike other cat snakes of its range, this species bears characteristic “gamma” or “Y”-shaped marking that helps in its quick identification on the field.
  • Lifespan: 12-20 years
  • Diet: It primarily consists of small vertebrates.
• IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Q1: What is the IUCN Red List?

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species. Open to all, it is used by governmental bodies, non-profit organisations, businesses and individuals.

News: Rare 'Cat Snake' Spotted in Bihar's Valmiki Tiger Reserve