Indian astronomers, along with international researchers from Italy, France and the US, have discovered a Blue Straggler Star (BSS) while it is still forming—a rare observation in astronomy.
Blue Straggler Stars are unusual stars that appear younger, brighter, hotter, and more massive than other stars of the same age in a star cluster.
The team found that the star is gaining material from a companion star in a binary system, making it appear "rejuvenated" or younger than expected. This process is called mass transfer.
The discovery provides the strongest direct evidence supporting the theory that Blue Straggler Stars are formed by accreting matter from a companion star, rather than being born later.
The star is located in the Collinder 261 open star cluster, about 9,500 light-years from Earth, and was studied using observations from NASA's TESS mission and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT).
Blue Straggler Stars are unusual stars that appear younger, brighter, hotter, and more massive than other stars of the same age in a star cluster.
The team found that the star is gaining material from a companion star in a binary system, making it appear "rejuvenated" or younger than expected. This process is called mass transfer.
The discovery provides the strongest direct evidence supporting the theory that Blue Straggler Stars are formed by accreting matter from a companion star, rather than being born later.
The star is located in the Collinder 261 open star cluster, about 9,500 light-years from Earth, and was studied using observations from NASA's TESS mission and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT).
The Lok Sabha has passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, increasing the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). In other words, the number of judges (excluding the CJI) will rise from 33 to 37. The move aims to reduce the growing backlog of cases and improve the efficiency of the apex court. The Bill was passed without debate amid opposition protests and will now require approval from the Rajya Sabha before becoming law.
Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh has been designated as India’s 101st Ramsar Site, making it the first wetland in the state to receive international recognition under the Ramsar Convention. The designation highlights the lake’s ecological importance and supports efforts to conserve its rich biodiversity, strengthen water and climate security, and promote sustainable livelihoods. Located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, the recognition marks a significant milestone in India's wetland conservation efforts.
With reference to Chola temples, 'Parivardevatas' refers to:
A. Guardian deities placed in cardinal directions
B. Subsidiary shrines dedicated to other deities
C. Temple inscriptions
D. Decorative pill
A. Guardian deities placed in cardinal directions
B. Subsidiary shrines dedicated to other deities
C. Temple inscriptions
D. Decorative pill
"Kudus" refers to:
A. Decorative arch-shaped dormer windows carved above pilasters and niches in Dravidian temples.
B. Mythical lion-like creatures carved along the base of temple walls.
C. Subsidiary shrines dedicated to attendant deities around the main sanctum.
D. Decorative niches meant for housing deity sculptures.
A. Decorative arch-shaped dormer windows carved above pilasters and niches in Dravidian temples.
B. Mythical lion-like creatures carved along the base of temple walls.
C. Subsidiary shrines dedicated to attendant deities around the main sanctum.
D. Decorative niches meant for housing deity sculptures.
Learn Beyond the Poll !
The detailed explanation for yesterday's question is available in the link below
https://www.clearias.com/hindu-temple-architecture-cholas/
The detailed explanation for yesterday's question is available in the link below
https://www.clearias.com/hindu-temple-architecture-cholas/
ClearIAS
Hindu Temple Architecture: Cholas
Chola Temple Architecture is an important part of Dravidian temple architecture. Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture.
Q. No. 1
Which of the following pairs of ocean currents is/are correctly matched?
1. Gulf Stream – Warm current
2. Labrador Current – Cold current
3. Kuroshio Current – Cold current
Select the correct answer using the code below:
Which of the following pairs of ocean currents is/are correctly matched?
1. Gulf Stream – Warm current
2. Labrador Current – Cold current
3. Kuroshio Current – Cold current
Select the correct answer using the code below:
Q No. 2
The Benguela Current is best described as:
A. A warm current flowing along the east coast of Africa.
B. A cold current flowing northward along the southwest coast of Africa.
C. A warm current in the Indian Ocean.
D. A cold current flowing along the west coast of South America.
The Benguela Current is best described as:
A. A warm current flowing along the east coast of Africa.
B. A cold current flowing northward along the southwest coast of Africa.
C. A warm current in the Indian Ocean.
D. A cold current flowing along the west coast of South America.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is reviving its long-pending proposal to introduce polymer banknotes primarily because they offer greater durability, improved security, and lower long-term costs.
Polymer currency notes are banknotes made from a special biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) polymer substrate, instead of the traditional cotton-based paper used in Indian currency. They are often referred to as plastic notes, but they are made of a specially engineered polymer designed exclusively for banknotes.
Polymer notes were first introduced by Australia in 1988 and are now used in over 60 countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam, Mexico, and Romania.
Polymer currency notes are banknotes made from a special biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) polymer substrate, instead of the traditional cotton-based paper used in Indian currency. They are often referred to as plastic notes, but they are made of a specially engineered polymer designed exclusively for banknotes.
Polymer notes were first introduced by Australia in 1988 and are now used in over 60 countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam, Mexico, and Romania.
India successfully conducted the user trial of the Agni-4 Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha, under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). The test validated all operational and technical parameters, reaffirming the missile's reliability and operational readiness. Developed as part of India's strategic missile programme, the nuclear-capable Agni-4 has a strike range of around 4,000 km, significantly enhancing India's credible minimum deterrence and long-range precision strike capability. The successful launch marks another milestone in strengthening India's strategic defence preparedness
Learn Beyond the Poll !
The detailed explanation for the question is available in the link below
https://www.clearias.com/ocean-currents/
The detailed explanation for the question is available in the link below
https://www.clearias.com/ocean-currents/
ClearIAS
Ocean Currents – Shortcut method by to learn faster
Here is a shortcut method to remember all the names, location and type (warm or cold) of all major ocean currents. Learn smart; learn faster.
Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies has unveiled “Everest,” an 80-tonne-class, 800 kN Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) rocket engine, developed and manufactured in India. The engine uses liquid oxygen (LOX) and methane as propellants and is designed with reusability in mind.
The FFSC cycle is among the most advanced rocket propulsion technologies, offering high efficiency and making it well suited for reusable launch vehicles. Astrobase plans to use the engine for a reusable two-stage orbital launch vehicle capable of carrying multi-tonne payloads to Low Earth Orbit.
The company has already conducted sub-scale hot-fire testing and turbopump trials, while full-scale engine testing is the next major milestone. Astrobase is also developing a 21.5-acre testing facility in Andhra Pradesh, strengthening India's private rocket-engine testing infrastructure.
The FFSC cycle is among the most advanced rocket propulsion technologies, offering high efficiency and making it well suited for reusable launch vehicles. Astrobase plans to use the engine for a reusable two-stage orbital launch vehicle capable of carrying multi-tonne payloads to Low Earth Orbit.
The company has already conducted sub-scale hot-fire testing and turbopump trials, while full-scale engine testing is the next major milestone. Astrobase is also developing a 21.5-acre testing facility in Andhra Pradesh, strengthening India's private rocket-engine testing infrastructure.