Daily Quiz

Solution (b)
Explanation:
• A region in the center of a galaxy with intense star formation and stellar explosions describes a starburst galaxy or a region with ongoing star formation but does not define the concept of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN).
• An Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) is the extremely bright central region of a galaxy that is powered by a supermassive black hole. The black hole accretes matter, and as the material falls in, it heats up, emitting tremendous amounts of energy, often across the electromagnetic spectrum. (Option (b) is correct)
• A globular cluster is a dense group of old stars. Globular clusters do not have the high-energy emissions characteristic of AGNs.
• A star-forming region or stellar nursery like the Orion Nebula, where new stars are born from the collapse of gas clouds, not a galactic nucleus powered by a black hole.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/iia-researchers-find-evidence-of-interaction-between-a-radio-jet-and-interstellar-gas/article68690621.ece#:~:text=IIA%20researchers%2C%20combining%20data%20from,the%20centre%20of%20this%20galaxy.

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Kazakhstan is a Central Asian country that shares a long border with Russia. It is the largest of Russia’s neighboring countries in Central Asia, stretching over 7,000 kilometers of shared border. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Mongolia is another Asian country that shares a border with Russia to the north. It is situated between Russia and China, making it an important geopolitical neighbor of Russia. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• North Korea shares a small border with Russia in the far eastern region. The border is around 17 kilometers along the Tumen River, where Russia, North Korea, and China converge. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Turkmenistan is not an Asian neighbor of Russia. It is located in Central Asia, but it shares borders with countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. It does not have a direct border with Russia. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/russias-geopolitical-pivot-to-asia-a-new-india-chapter/article68691321.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The Pinaka rocket system is indeed a multi-barrel rocket launcher system. It can launch 12 rockets in 44 seconds, providing massive firepower in a short period. The system is mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility.
• The Pinaka Mk-II variant has an extended range of approximately 60 km. The earlier Mk-I variant had a range of about 40 km. The Mk-II version’s enhanced range allows for better battlefield utility and precision.
• The Pinaka rocket system was developed indigenously by India. It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Indian private defense firms. Russia was not involved in its development. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The Pinaka system was used during the Kargil War in 1999. Though it was still under development at the time, it was deployed for testing under battlefield conditions, proving to be highly effective against enemy positions in the mountains.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lessons-from-ukraine-war-army-outlines-long-range-rockets-diversified-vendor-base-for-ammunition/article68690415.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• AstroSat is India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, launched by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) on September 28, 2015. Its primary mission is to observe celestial sources in various wavelengths like visible, ultraviolet, and X-rays, making it unique in India’s space program. (Statement 1 is correct)
• One of AstroSat’s key features is its ability to observe the same celestial object in different wavelengths simultaneously, ranging from visible to X-rays and ultraviolet light. This allows scientists to study astronomical phenomena more comprehensively than with single-wavelength observations. (Statement 2 is correct)
• AstroSat’s instruments, such as the Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) and Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT), can observe high-energy phenomena like neutron stars and black holes. Understanding the magnetic fields of neutron stars and the physics of compact objects is part of its mission. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://www.isro.gov.in/AstroSat.html & https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/iia-researchers-find-evidence-of-interaction-between-a-radio-jet-and-interstellar-gas/article68690621.ece#:~:text=IIA%20researchers%2C%20combining%20data%20from,the%20centre%20of%20this%20galaxy.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• As of 2024, the BRICS countries, after the inclusion of new members like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE, account for 45% of the global population and contribute to approximately 28% of the global GDP. This reflects their significant economic and demographic influence. (Statement 1 is correct)
• With the addition of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE — all major oil producers — the BRICS countries now account for roughly 44% of global crude oil production. Saudi Arabia, being one of the largest oil producers, significantly boosts BRICS’ share in global oil production. (Statement 2 is correct)
• In 2006, Brazil, Russia, India and China created the “Bric” group. South Africa joined in 2010, making it “Brics”. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were invited to become members with effect from 1 January 2024. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/brics-countries-recognize-groups-importance-for-multipolarity-jaishankar/article68687899.ece & https://www.bbc.com/news/world-66525474