Daily Quiz

Solution (d)
Explanation:
• Ladakh is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, Hanle, which is one of the highest observatories in the world. The Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle is primarily known for the Himalayan Chandra Telescope. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Himachal Pradesh is known for the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) in Nainital (Uttarakhand). ARIES is one of the leading astronomical research institutes in India. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• Kerala is known for its tropical climate and is home to some research institutions. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has several facilities in Kerala, such as the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The Tower Tunnel Telescope is located at the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory in Tamil Nadu. This observatory is one of the oldest solar observatories in the world and is known for its solar observations. The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, located in the Palani Hills, is famous for its study of the sun and is where the Tower Tunnel Telescope is situated. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2047648 & https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/iia-finds-new-way-to-probe-deeper-into-the-suns-secrets/article68555009.ece#:~:text=Astronomers%20at%20the%20Indian%20Institute,IIA's%20Kodaikanal%20Tower%20Tunnel%20Telescope.

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• Aditya-L1 is a solar mission launched by ISRO on September 2, 2023, using the PSLV. The mission is designed to study the Sun from the first Earth-Sun Lagrange point (L1). The PSLV is known for its reliability and versatility in launching satellites into various orbits. The PSLV has been ISRO’s workhorse for launching various missions, including Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and now Aditya-L1. (Option (a) is correct)
• XPoSat was launched on January 1, 2024, and its mission is to study the polarization of X-rays emitted by various celestial sources, helping scientists understand more about these objects. The satellite is equipped with two instruments: XSPECT and POLIX, which are specifically designed for this purpose. XPoSat is the second such space-based observatory after NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IPEX), launched in 2021. (Option (b) is correct)
• Pushpak is not a full-scale reusable launch vehicle but a downscale version used for landing experiments (LEX-02 and LEX-03) conducted by ISRO. These experiments were part of ISRO’s efforts to develop a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV). The Pushpak vehicle was tested in a controlled environment by dropping it from a Chinook helicopter to simulate landing conditions from space. Pushpak is a scaled-down version used for experimental purposes, not the full-scale RLV. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• On August 16, 2024, ISRO completed the third and final development flight of the SSLV, successfully placing satellites into orbit. Following two consecutive successful test flights, ISRO declared that the SSLV’s development was complete and gave the green light for its transfer to industry. The SSLV is designed for launching small satellites and is now ready for commercial use after successful development. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/since-chandrayaan-3-what-has-the-indian-space-programme-been-up-to-explained/article68554417.ece#:~:text=Private%20space%20missions&text=Skyroot%20Aerospace%20is%20progressing%20towards,Sriharikota%20on%20November%2018%2C%202022.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• A barrier to communication between different levels of an organization describes a communication barrier or breakdown, often referred to as a “communication gap,”. Communication gaps can occur due to differences in communication styles, lack of information sharing, or organizational silos. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• “Glass ceiling” refers to the unseen, yet unbreachable barrier that keeps certain groups, such as women and minorities, from advancing to higher positions in an organization, despite their qualifications or achievements. The “glass ceiling” is often discussed in the context of gender equality and diversity in the workplace. (Option (b) is correct)
• A management concept where transparency in decision-making processes is emphasized refers to “transparent management” or “open-door policy,” where transparency in decision-making and operations is a key principle. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• A situation where employees experience an unbreakable barrier to achieving work-life balance describes a “work-life balance” issue, where employees struggle to balance professional and personal life. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/hillary-clinton-kamala-harris-glass-ceiling-meaning-9527869/

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The programme currently focuses on specific states: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. There is a separate programme being considered for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, but it is not part of the National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme that has been approved for the other states. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• One of the primary objectives of the National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme is indeed to attempt lake-lowering measures. These measures are aimed at reducing the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) from high-risk glacial lakes. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The planning and implementation of the programme involve multiple agencies, not just the Indian Army and Geological Survey of India. Other agencies involved include the Central Water Commission, North Eastern Space Application Centre, ITBP, an international agency, and various state agencies. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/top-disaster-management-body-identifies-189-glacier-lakes-for-monitoring/article68554937.ece & https://theprint.in/india/govt-approves-rs-150-crore-for-glacial-lake-outburst-flood-risk-mitigation-programme-for-4-states/2232525/

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• One of the key findings of Chandrayaan 3 is that the terrain around its landing site is fairly uniform, which was important for the safe operation of the rover and for analyzing the lunar surface. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Chandrayaan 3’s findings support the hypothesis that the Moon’s crust was formed layer by layer, adding weight to the Lunar Magma Ocean (LMO) hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, as the early Moon’s surface cooled, heavier minerals sank while lighter minerals floated to the top, forming distinct layers in the crust. This hypothesis is a widely accepted theory in planetary science that explains the stratification of the Moon’s crust. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The findings from Chandrayaan 3 revealed that the topsoil around the lunar south pole contains a higher-than-expected concentration of minerals, which are typically found in the lower layers of the lunar crust. The discovery of these minerals in the lunar topsoil provides new insights into the processes that shaped the Moon’s surface and its evolution. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/what-the-first-findings-from-chandrayaan-3-mission-tell-us-about-the-moon-9528323/#:~:text=The%20findings%20comprise%20the%20first,a%20sea%20of%20molten%20material.