Musings of an amateur astronomer

"Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge." - Carl Sagan Sci-Fi in Bollywood: A New Dawn with "Kalki 2898 AD" Movies have a unique way of capturing our imagination and transporting us to different worlds. Science fiction, in particular, has always fascinated people with its blend of science and fantasy. Recently, a Bollywood movie, "Kalki 2898 AD," has taken the box office by storm, and it's exciting to see how sci-fi is making its mark in India. The Movie and Its Impact "Kalki 2898 AD," directed by Nag Ashwin, is a futuristic film that brings together mythology and advanced science. The movie stars Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Amitabh Bachchan. Set in a world thousands of years after the Mahabharata war, it showcases a city called Kashi. The city is divided into the privileged Complex for the rich and a struggling world for the poor. The story revolves around Bhairava, a bounty hunter dreaming of a better life,...

Exciting Times for India - Space Exploration  "To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit." – Stephen Hawking Introduction These are exciting times for space. Outer space and space exploration are thrilling fields right now. It’s a great time for commerce, science, and humanity.  The Indian Space Effort At the National Conference, the chairperson of ISRO talked about India's direction in space efforts. ISRO is focusing on low-cost space missions. ISRO has helped create a great ecosystem for space ventures. The government supports ISRO, bringing in foreign investments with helpful laws. The private sector is also helping by creating startups. The global scene is supportive too. Challenges in Space There are challenges. India does not have very powerful rockets, so the weight of the payload is limited. However, an Indian startup called Agnikul is working on new power systems like cryogenics. This has never been done in India before. T...

Indian-Origin Astronaut Sunita Williams Scripts History on Boeing’s Starliner Mission to ISS   Boeing Starliner vs. Space Shuttle: Evolving Needs in Space Travel The Boeing Starliner and the Space Shuttle reflect distinct eras and evolving requirements in space exploration. The Space Shuttle, a versatile, reusable spacecraft, was instrumental in deploying satellites, the Hubble Space Telescope, and constructing the International Space Station (ISS). It required significant astronaut involvement and lacked an emergency escape system during launch. In contrast, the Starliner is a next-generation, autonomous spacecraft designed solely for crew transport to and from the ISS. It features a pusher abort system for crew safety during launch, a weldless structure to reduce risks and mass, and reusability for up to ten missions with a six-month turnaround.   The Starliner exemplifies advancements in space travel efficiency and safety, focusing on minimizing the need to transport all ma...

Meet the 22-YO Indian Techie Who Received ‘Hall of Fame’ Recognition from NASA & Apple   Muneeb Amin Bhatt, a 22-year-old cybersecurity researcher from Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, has achieved remarkable recognition. After earning a spot in Apple's 'Hall of Fame' in 2023 for reporting vulnerabilities in their system, Muneeb has now entered NASA's prestigious 'Hall of Fame.' His expertise lies in identifying data breach vulnerabilities.   Originally from Zungalpora village in South Kashmir, Muneeb reported his findings to NASA through their Vulnerability Disclosure Program. Although he couldn't disclose specific vulnerabilities due to program guidelines, he emphasized that they involved exposing sensitive data. Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Applications from IGNOU, Muneeb's journey exemplifies perseverance and dedication.   In his own words, "I’ve been fascinated by space exploration and the incredible work done by NASA. Re...

ISRO and Startups: A New Era for India's Space Adventure!   Hello, space fans! I'm an amateur astronomer, and today, I want to share something exciting happening in the world of space exploration in India. Our journey will take us through the incredible support that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is giving to startups. This is a big deal, and it's changing the way Indian explore space!   ISRO's New Friends: The Space Startups   In India, something amazing is happening. There are lots of new companies, called startups, popping up. These startups are full of fresh ideas and energy. They're ready to take risks and do exciting things in space. But they have a little help from a very big friend – ISRO!   A Look Back: The Old Way   In the past, big projects were done by large government groups. These groups, like ISRO, built huge things and gathered a lot of knowledge. They didn’t focus on making money, but on making India strong and smart in science. I...

The world's first wooden satellite is launching into space this year. Here's what to know   A group of Japanese researchers has developed the world's first wooden satellite, known as LignoSat. This experimental satellite, measuring just 10 centimeters (4 inches) on each side and weighing slightly over 2 pounds, is set to launch later this year. The project aims to address the growing problem of space debris caused by traditional metal satellites accumulating in Earth's orbit.   Unlike conventional satellites made from aluminum, LignoSat is constructed primarily from magnolia wood. The innovative choice of material offers several advantages: when LignoSat re-enters Earth's atmosphere, it will burn up entirely, leaving no debris. Additionally, wood does not block electromagnetic waves, allowing the satellite to house its antennas internally.   The researchers hope to expand the use of wood in space structures, envisioning human habitats built from sustainable material...

Why scientists say we need to send clocks to the moon — and soon   In the midst of a renewed space race, where the United States, its allies, and China are all vying to establish permanent settlements on the moon, the peculiarities of lunar timekeeping have come to the forefront.  On the moon's surface, an Earth Day would be approximately 56 microseconds shorter than on our home planet. To address this, NASA and its international partners are working on creating an entirely new "time scale" specifically for the moon.  This system will account for the fact that seconds tick by faster on the lunar surface. The White House has directed NASA to map out its plans for this new time scale by December 31, considering it foundational to renewed US efforts in lunar exploration. As astronauts prepare to return to the moon, accurate lunar timekeeping will be crucial for navigation and communication during their missions.   For more details on this news article, pl visit ...