27 Feb 2025 : Daily Current Affairs Updates

Thames River ; GS-1 (Geography) ▪️Why in the News:

The Thames might witness a potential increase in algal blooms in the coming years courtesy climate change, a new study has warned.

• Definition:

• The Thames River extends for 346 kilometers, flowing through southern England.

• It holds the title of England's longest river and ranks as the second longest in the United Kingdom, following the River Severn.

• Course and Source:

• The river originates at Thames Head, located near Kemble in the Cotswold Hills, Gloucestershire County.

• It ultimately drains into the North Sea through the Thames Estuary.

Gharial ; GS-3 (Environment and Ecology) ▪️Why in the news:

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav recentlyreleased 10 gharials, a critically endangered species, into the Chambal river at the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in Morena.

• About:

The gharial is a species of crocodilian recognized for its elongated, slender snout and a diet primarily consisting of fish.

Its name is derived from the Hindi word "ghara," which refers to the distinctive bulbous growth found on the snouts of adult males:

• Gharials are predominantly found in rivers of India and Nepal, where they contribute significantly to maintaining the river ecosystem balance.

> Role in the Ecosystem:

• Gharials play an essential role in maintaining a healthy river ecosystem.

• As fish-eaters, they help regulate fish populations, preventing overpopulation and ensuring ecological balance.

> Conservation Efforts:

• Between 1975 and 1982, India initiated 16 captive breeding and release centers to boost gharial populations.

• Currently, the species is primarily found in five key protected areas, which include:

- National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS)

- Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary

- Chitwan National Park

PUNCH Mission; GS-3 (Science and Technology) ▪️Why in the news:

NASA is launching PUNCH mission to study the Sun's corona and solar wind using a network of four small satellites.

• Introduction:

• The Polarimetry to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission is set to be launched by SpaceX.

It aims to study the solar corona and solar wind using advanced imaging techniques.

• The mission is expected to have an operational lifespan of two years.

- Components of the PUNCH Mission:

The mission will consist of a constellation of four small satellites, each weighing approximately 64 kg.

• These satellites will be placed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for continuous observation of solar activity.

• The mission is equipped with three Wide Field Imagers (WFI) and one

Narrow Field Imager.

• Every four minutes, each of the four cameras will take three raw images using different polarising filters.

> Objectives of the PUNCH Mission:

• This is the first solar mission specifically designed to use light polarisation for studying the solar corona and solar wind in 3D.

• The data obtained will enhance space weather forecasting, improving predictions of solar storms and their effects on Earth and space-based robotic missions.

Dwarf Galaxy; GS-3 (Science and Technology) ▪️Why in the news:

An international team of astronomers has reported the discovery of a new dwarf galaxy, which they have named Pegasus VII

• Definition and Characteristics:

• Dwarf galaxies are relatively small galaxies that typically contain only a few billion stars, in contrast to larger galaxies that may house hundreds of billions of stars.

• They are the most prevalent type of galaxy in the universe but remain challenging to detect due to their low brightness, small size, and minimal mass.

> Distribution and Relationship with Larger Galaxies:

• Dwarf galaxies are commonly located within galaxy clusters, frequently existing as satellites to larger galaxies.

• The Milky Way is surrounded by more than 20 known dwarf galaxies, which orbit it as companions.

• Formation and Structure:

• These galaxies are believed to have formed through gravitational interactions in the early universe, contributing to the formation of larger galaxies over time.

• Some dwarf galaxies emerge from galactic collisions, originating from streams of gas, stars, and dark matter expelled from their parent galaxies.