This is the current affairs of 30 August 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
PDF Download: Click here
1. With which instrument did Rover Pragyan detect the presence of oxygen, sulphur, aluminium, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese and silicon on the Moon?
a. LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy)
b. APXS (Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer)
c. ILSA (Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity)
d. ChaSTE (Lunar Surface Thermo Physical Experiment)
Answer: a. LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy)
– The rover Pragyan of Chandrayaan-3 has identified 9 elements on the Moon by August 28, 2023.
– These include Oxygen, Sulfur (S), Aluminum (Al), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), Titanium (Ti), Manganese (Mn), and Silicon (Si).
– The discovery of these elements was made using LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy).
– The rover Pragyan is equipped with various instruments, one of which is LIBS.
How elements were detected through LIBS:
– In this experiment, a high-powered laser is used on the sample surface, which is the soil or rock of the Moon.
– The heating of the surface creates a plasma.
– This plasma is used to study the spectrum created, which helps identify the elements.
Different elements produce different spectra.
—————
2. In what form did Rover Pragyan find oxygen on the Moon, which we cannot breathe?
a. Solid
b. Oxide
c. Gas
d. None of these
Answer: b. Oxide
– Oxygen found on the moon’s surface cannot be directly inhaled.
– The oxygen present in the soil of the moon is not in a form that can be directly breathed in. It is in the oxide form.
– NASA had also previously detected oxygen in lunar soil.
– Therefore, ISRO already had the possibility of finding oxygen here.
What is an oxide?
– An oxide is a category of chemical compounds.
– In its structure, there is one or more oxygen atoms along with an element.
– Examples are Li2O, CO2, H2O, etc.
– H2O is water. Hence, after discovering oxygen, ISRO is now searching for hydrogen.
Rover moves at a speed of 1 cm per second:
– The six-wheeled Pragyan rover weighs 26 kilograms.
– The lander “Vikram” had landed on the moon on the evening of August 23rd at 6:04 PM.
– About 14 hours after landing, on the morning of August 24th, 2023, ISRO confirmed the rover’s deployment.
– The Pragyan rover moves at a speed of 1 cm per second and uses navigation cameras to scan its surroundings.
—————-
3. What was the temperature recorded by Chandrayaan-3’s lander Vikram at the landing point ‘Shiv-Shakti’ on the Moon?
a. 30°C at surface and -50°C at depth of 80mm
b. 60°C at surface and -30°C at depth of 80mm
c. 50°C at surface and -10°C at depth of 80mm
d. none of these
Answer: c. 50°C at surface and -10°C at depth of 80mm
Temperature Differences on the Moon’s Surface and at Different Depths:
– The ChaSTE (Chandrayaan-3 Surface Thermophysical Experiment) instrument installed on the Vikram lander sent the first observations related to the temperature of the Moon on August 27, 2023.
– According to ChaSTE (Chandrayaan Surface Thermo-Physical Experiment), there are significant temperature variations on the surface of the Moon and at different depths.
– The temperature on the surface of the Moon’s South Pole is around 50 degrees Celsius, whereas a temperature of -10°C was recorded at a depth of 80mm.
– ChaSTE is equipped with 10 temperature sensors that can reach a depth of 100mm (10cm).
– ChaSTE was developed collaboratively by ISRO’s Space Physics Laboratory and the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad.
Benefits of Discovering the Temperature of the South Pole:
– ISRO Chief S. Somnath stated that the South Pole of the Moon was chosen because it may have the potential to support human habitation in the future.
– The South Pole receives less sunlight for a shorter duration.
– With Chandrayaan-3 providing detailed information about the temperatures and other aspects of the South Pole, scientists will try to understand the true potential of the lunar South Pole for sustaining life.
Equipment Installed on Chandrayaan-3:
In the Propulsion Module:
– SHAPE (Spectro-Polarimetry of Habitable Exoplanetary). Purpose: Studying Earth from the Moon’s orbit. Investigating whether there are any distinct features in the radiation of habitable planets like Earth.
In the Vikram Lander:
1. RAMBHA-LP (Langmuir Probe):
Purpose: This will study the density of plasma and changes in it over time. Since the Moon lacks an atmosphere, it is constantly exposed to solar radiation. This leads to the burning of the lunar soil and gives it a smell resembling gunpowder. The study of plasma is thus crucial.
2. ChaSTE (Chand Surface Thermo-Physical Experiment):
Purpose: Studying the temperature of the lunar South Pole.
3. ILSA (Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity):
Purpose: Measuring earthquakes near the landing site. Studying the structure of the Moon’s upper and inner surfaces.
In the Pragyan Rover:
1. APXS (Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer):
Purpose: Measuring the elemental composition of lunar soil and rocks.
2. LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy):
Purpose: Studying the chemical and mineral composition of the lunar surface.
—————
4. After Niger, in which African country did the army seize power (in August 2023)?
a. Congo
b. Gabon
c. Cameroon
d. South Africa
Answer: b. Gabon
Gabon
Capital – Libreville
Official Language – French
Currency – Central African CFA Franc
Neighboring Countries – Congo, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea
African Countries situated on the Equator – Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia
– There was a coup in the Central African country Gabon in August 2023.
– All governmental institutions have been dissolved by bypassing the elections in the country’s army.
– Additionally, all borders have been sealed.
– Military officers on Gabon 24 TV stated, “We didn’t have confidence in the elections, so we took this step.”
Sudden Military Action after Controversial Elections
– After the disputed elections on August 27, 2023, it was announced that President Ali Bongo Ondimba had won the election for the third time.
– Three days later, the military claimed power, stating, “We have removed the existing government for the sake of peace in the country.”
End of the 53-Year Bongo Rule
– With the coup, the 53-year rule of the Bongo family came to an end.
– It’s believed they had the support of the French government. Gabon was a French colony.
– There is now growing anti-French sentiment among the people of Gabon.
– Opposition parties had claimed during the elections that internet was shut down and curfew was imposed. President Bongo had manipulated the election.
Crisis in Several African Countries
– In Africa, many countries have experienced successive coups in recent years.
– From 2019 to August 2023, this occurred in seven countries.
List: Coups in African Countries
Country and Coup Date
Gabon: August 2023
Niger: July 2023
Burkina Faso: January 2022
Guinea: September 2021
Chad: April 2021
Mali: August 2020
Sudan: April 2019
—————
5. In which state the ‘Griha Lakshmi Yojana’ started to provide assistance of Rs 2000 per month to more than one crore women?
a. Uttar Pradesh
b. Madhya Pradesh
c. Rajasthan
d. Karnataka
Answer: d. Karnataka
– In the Rajya Sabha, opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi inaugurated the Griha Lakshmi Scheme of the Karnataka government in Mysore on August 30, 2023.
– The launch event was attended by several leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
What is the Griha Lakshmi Scheme?
– Under this scheme, women in Karnataka will receive financial assistance of ₹2,000 per month.
– The benefit of the scheme will be given to women whose names are on the ration card.
– Women or their husbands who pay income tax will not be eligible for the scheme.
– As soon as the scheme was launched, ₹2,000 were deposited into the accounts of 1,09,54,000 women who had registered for it.
Five Schemes of the Congress Government in Karnataka’s First 100 Days
– Griha Lakshmi Scheme – ₹2,000 per month for women
– Shakti Yojana – Free bus travel for women
Griha Jyoti Yojana – 200 units of free electricity
– Yuva Nidhi Yojana – Unemployment allowance for youths
– Anna Bhagya Yojana – 10 kg rice per person for BPL families
Karnataka
Chief Minister – Siddaramaiah
Governor – Thawar Chand Gehlot
Capital – Bengaluru
—————-
6. In which city, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) along with the Government of India has decided to set up a Center on Climate Change and Health?
a. Mumbai
b. Patna
c. Delhi
d. Chennai
Answer: c. Delhi
– The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has made this announcement.
– In terms of international centers, after the establishment of WHO’s ‘Center for Traditional Medicine’ in Gujarat, now the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to open a new center in India.
Impact on Climate Change and Health Center
– This will promote the development of a climate-resilient healthcare system.
– Sustainable and low carbon/low greenhouse gas emission health infrastructure and services will be enhanced.
– It will provide high-quality healthcare facilities.
– It will facilitate collaboration, including initiatives like the WHO-led Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health.
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Headquarters – Mandaluyong, Philippines
Establishment – December 19, 1966
Member Countries – 68
—————–
7. FIFA has lifted the ban on the Football Federation of which neighboring country of India?
a. Sri Lanka
b. Pakistan
c. Bhutan
d. China
Answer: a. Sri Lanka
– FIFA lifted the ban on the Sri Lanka Football Federation (FFSL) in August 2023.
– The ban had been imposed in January 2023 due to government interference in the federation.
– The lifting of the ban will greatly benefit Sri Lankan football. This means that the national team will be able to resume international competitions.
Sri Lanka
Capital – Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (Legislative), Colombo (Executive and Judicial)
President – Ranil Vikramasinghe
Prime Minister – Dinesh Gunawardena
——————
8. Which medal was won by Indian player HS Prannoy in BWF World Badminton Championship 2023?
a. Gold
b. Silver
c. Bronze
d. None of these
Answer: c. Bronze
– Venue: Copenhagen, Denmark
– Dates: August 21 to 27, 2023
– With winning a bronze medal, H.S. Prannoy has become the fifth Indian player to medal in the World Badminton Championship so far.
– Prior to this, Kidambi Srikanth (silver), Lakshya Sen (bronze), B. Sai Praneeth (bronze), and Prakash Padukone (bronze) had won medals.
—————-
9. When is ‘International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances’ celebrated?
a. 30 August
b. 29 August
c. 28 August
d. 27 August
Answer: a. 30 August
– The United Nations observes this day every year on August 30th.
– This day is celebrated to prevent and bring justice to those who have gone missing.
—————
10.When is the International Day for People of African Descent observed?
a. 31 August
b. 30 August
c. 29 August
d. 28 August
Answer: a. 31 August
– The United Nations General Assembly adopted the proposal to establish an International Day for People of African Descent in December 2020.
