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Daily Current Capsules - 28th April 2020

FOCUS ARTICLE/ SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
First merger of two black holes with unequal masses detected

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about GW190412 and significance of unequal mass block + about black hole + general theory of relativity + LIGO + Event horizon telescope + Virgo interferometer) + Mains ( GS III awareness in the field of space)
What's the NEWS
  • For the first time since it started functioning, the gravitational wave observatories at LIGO scientific collaboration have detected a merger of two unequal-mass black holes.
Know! more about the recent detection
  • The event, dubbed GW190412, was detected nearly a year ago, and this is almost five years after(September 2015) the first ever detection of gravitational wave signals by these powerful detectors.
  • Subsequent analysis of the signal coming from the violent merger showed that it involved two black holes of unequal masses coalescing, one of which was some 30 times the mass of the Sun and the other which had a mass nearly 8 times the solar mass.
  • The actual merger took place at a distance of 2.5 billion light years away.
The new unequal mass system
  • The detected signal's waveform has special extra features in it when it corresponds to the merger of two unequal-sized black holes as compared with a merger of equal-sized black holes.
These features make it possible to infer many more things about the characters in this celestial drama, namely
  • a more accurate determination of the distance from the event
  • the spin or angular momentum of the more massive black hole
  • the orientation of the whole event with respect to viewers on Earth.
General Relativity (once again confirmed by this observation)
  • Indian team consisting of researchers from ICTS-TIFR, Bengaluru, verified the consistency of the signal with the prediction of General Relativity.
  • The existence of higher harmonics was itself a prediction of General Relativity.
  • General relativity (GR), also known as the general theory of relativity (GTR), is the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1915
  • GR predicts the existence of higher harmonics, i.e. gravitational waves at two or three times the fundamental frequency.
  • The first direct detection of gravitational waves and the first observation of the collision and merger of a pair of black holes is the key predictions of Einstein's GTR
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)

  • The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) was designed to open the field of gravitational-wave astrophysics through the direct detection of gravitational waves predicted by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.
  • LIGO's multi-kilometer-scale gravitational wave detectors use laser interferometry to measure the minute ripples in space-time caused by passing gravitational waves from cataclysmic cosmic events such as colliding neutron stars or black holes, or by supernovae.
  • LIGO consists of two widely-separated interferometers within the United States-one in Hanford, Washington and the other in Livingston, Louisiana-operated in unison to detect gravitational waves.
Interferometers
  • Interferometers are investigative tools used in many fields of science and engineering.
  • They are called interferometers because they work by merging two or more sources of light to create an interference pattern, which can be measured and analyzed; hence 'Interfere-o-meter', or interferometer
Connect with the past events
September 14, 2015
LIGO made its first detection of gravitational waves, generated by a pair of colliding black holes some 1.3 billion light years away.
  • For the first time, scientists have observed ripples in the fabric of spacetime called gravitational waves, arriving at the earth from a cataclysmic event in the distant universe.
  • This confirms a major prediction of Albert Einstein's 1915 general theory of relativity and opens an unprecedented new window onto the cosmos.
  • Gravitational waves carry information about their dramatic origins and about the nature of gravity that cannot otherwise be obtained.
  • The detected gravitational waves were produced during the final fraction of a second of the merger of two black holes to produce a single, more massive spinning black hole.
  • This collision of two black holes had been predicted but never observed.
  • The gravitational waves were detected on September 14, 2015 by both of the twin Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors, located in Livingston, Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington, USA.
  • Based on the observed signals, LIGO scientists estimate that the black holes for this event were about 29 and 36 times the mass of the sun, and the event took place 1.3 billion years ago.
  • About 3 times the mass of the sun was converted into gravitational waves in a fraction of a second
  • After the detection of first gravitation wave by LIGO, many more gravitational wave detections have been made.
Understand the concept of General relativity
  • According to general relativity, a pair of black holes orbiting around each other lose energy through the emission of gravitational waves, causing them to gradually approach each other over billions of years, and then much more quickly in the final minutes.
  • During the final fraction of a second, the two black holes collide into each other at nearly one-half the speed of light and form a single more massive black hole, converting a portion of the combined black holes' mass to energy, according to Einstein's formula E=mc2.
  • This energy is emitted as a final strong burst of gravitational waves. It is these gravitational waves that LIGO has observed.
Black Hole
  • A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light can not get out. The gravity is so strong because matter has been squeezed into a tiny space. Because no light can get out, people can't see black holes.
  • They are invisible. Space telescopes with special tools can help find black holes.
  • Gravitational waves are created when two black holes orbit each other and merge.
April 2019 - First ever picture of Black hole
  • The first image of black hole is the stunning achievement of the Event Horizon Telescope project, a global collaboration of more than 200 scientists using an array of observatories scattered around the world, from Hawaii to the South Pole.
  • Combined, this array acts like a telescope the size of Earth, and it was able to collect more than a petabyte of data while staring at M87's black hole in April 2017. It then took two years for scientists to assemble the mugshot.
Additional info
Virgo interferometer
  • The Virgo interferometer is a large interferometer designed to detect gravitational waves predicted by the general theory of relativity.
  • Virgo is part of a scientific collaboration of laboratories from six countries: Italy and France, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary and Spain.
  • Other interferometers similar to Virgo have the same goal of detecting gravitational waves, including the two LIGO interferometers in the United States (at the Hanford Site and in Livingston, Louisiana).
  • Since 2007, Virgo and LIGO have agreed to share and jointly analyze the data recorded by their detectors and to jointly publish their results.
  • On 14 August 2017, LIGO and Virgo detected a signal, GW170814, which was reported on 27 September 2017. It was the first binary black hole merger detected by both LIGO and Virgo.
Government Schemes
SVAMITVA scheme (guidelines issued)
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about SVAMITVA scheme and its working guidelines) + Mains ( GS II Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
What's the NEWS
  • The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has issued guidelines regarding the SVAMITVA scheme
SVAMITVA scheme (features and operational guidelines)
  • The aim of this program is to provide rural people with the right to document their residential properties so that they can use their property for economic purposes.
  • This scheme will help in streamlining planning and revenue collection in rural areas and ensuring clarity on property rights.
  • This will also help in resolving property related disputes.
  • The scheme will enable creation of better-quality Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs), leveraging the maps created under this programme.
  • SVAMITVA scheme, a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Panchayati Raj Departments, State Revenue Departments and Survey of India, aims to provide an integrated property validation solution for rural India, engaging the latest Drone Surveying technology, for demarcating the inhabitant (Aabadi) land in rural areas.
  • The program is currently being implemented in six states - Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
  • Under this, mapping of rural housing land can be done using the latest survey methods and drones.
  • In Punjab and Rajasthan, 101 Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) will be set up during this year which will set the stage for undertaking actual survey and mapping of inhabited areas of villages next year.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding e-Gram Swaraj
  • It will be ensured that the funds given to the panchayats are not misused and transparency can be maintained in its use.
  • This process will help in establishing a strong financial system by integrating the Priya Soft and PFMS, the payment portals of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
  • The application aims to bring in better transparency and strengthening of the e-Governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country through decentralized planning, progress reporting and work-based accounting.
  • e-Gram Swaraj provides a platform for effective monitoring by higher authorities.
  • It will be a single platform for all planning and accounting needs of the Panchayats.
The Online Payment Module
  • The Online Payment Module (erstwhile PRIASoft-PFMS Interface (PPI)) is one of its kind whereby Gram Panchayats are carrying out online payments to the vendors and service providers.
  • The main objective of introducing such a module is to have a sound financial management system in the Panchayats leading to their greater credibility and image.
  • These endeavours are also congruent to that of Digital India Programme which is to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy - "Faceless, Paperless, Cashless".
International Organisations
Lockdown Learners' series
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Lockdown Learners' series - objective + about UNODC+ about Education for Justice )
What's the NEWS
  • The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) has launched a ‘Lockdown Learners' series of online dialogues with students and educators in India on COVID- 19 and its impact on Sustainable Development Goals, peace and rule of law.
  • The dialogues have been launched by the United Nations body under its flagship Education for Justice initiative.
Know! more about the online dialogues
  • The aim is to sensitise students on concerns of vulnerable groups and emerging issues such as cybercrime, misinformation, gender-based violence, discrimination, corruption among others
  • The Lockdown Learners series also provides a platform for students to receive mentorship and knowledge support through activity-based learning, and use their talent and skills to promote awareness and share their ideas and solutions to address some of these problems
  • Educational resources have been shared with partner schools in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, and focused interactions convened with hundreds of students and educators
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
  • The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime was established in 1997 as the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention by combining the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division in the United Nations Office at Vienna. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group
  • UNODC was established to assist the UN in better addressing a coordinated, comprehensive response to the interrelated issues of illicit trafficking in and abuse of drugs, crime prevention and criminal justice, international terrorism, and political corruption.
Education for Justice
  • The Education for Justice (E4J) initiative seeks to prevent crime and promote a culture of lawfulness through education activities designed for primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
  • These activities help educators teach the next generation to better understand and address problems that can undermine the rule of law and encourage students to actively engage in their communities and future professions in this regard.
  • A set of products and activities for the primary and secondary levels is being developed in partnership with UNESCO.
Health
India co-sponsors resolution calling for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the Mexico-drafted resolution and its objective) +Mains ( GS II India's foreign policy - assertive role played by India at International platforms )
What's the NEWS
  • India has co-sponsored a UN General Assembly resolution that called for a fair, transparent and equitable access to essential medical supplies and any future vaccines developed to fight COVID-19 that has claimed over 177,000 lives and infected more than 2.5 million people.
Know! more about the Mexico-drafted resolution
  • The 193-Member General Assembly adopted the Mexico-drafted resolution 'International cooperation to ensure global access to medicines, vaccines and medical equipment to face COVID-19' by consensus
  • Pakistan was among the small minority of nations that did not sponsor the resolution.
  • India was among the 179 nations co-sponsoring the resolution that called for ensuring "fair, transparent, equitable, efficient and timely access to and distribution of preventive tools, laboratory testing, reagents and supporting materials, essential medical supplies, new diagnostics, drugs and future COVID-19 vaccines" to all nations, particular developing countries.
The role of India(helping other countries in their fight against COVID 19 pandemic)
  • India has been at the forefront of sending essential medical supplies and medicines such as anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to several nations
  • A number of countries, including the US, Mauritius and Seychelles have already received the drug.
  • In its neighborhood, India is sending the drug to Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, The Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Know! more about the resolution
  • The resolution, which received US support, was the second document to be adopted by the General Assembly on the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Earlier this month, the General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by 188 nations including India, calling for intensified international cooperation to defeat the pandemic that is causing "severe disruption to societies and economies".
  • The latest resolution also acknowledged the "crucial leading role" played by the World Health Organization, which has come under constant attack by the Trump administration over its handling of the outbreak.
  • It recognised the importance of international cooperation and effective multilateralism in helping to ensure that all States have in place effective national protective measures

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