2017
31
what is new ?
A STRONG WATER SIGNATURE
Scientists have detected “a strong water signature” in the atmosphere of a distant Neptune-sized planet called HAT-P-
26b. The study conducted using NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes has showed that HAT-P-26b has a primitive
atmosphere composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium. Although the planet is not a water world, its atmosphere
which is relatively clear of clouds has a strong water signature. Researchers have detected the presence of water by
pooling data obtained from four transits when the planet passed in front of its host star. By studying how the signatures
of the starlight changes, researchers can come up with the chemical composition of the atmosphere.
The study has been published in the journal Science. This study is one of the most detailed studies till date conducted in
a planet that is roughly the size of the Neptune and close to its star. The water measured in the planet is one of the best
measurement of water to date found on an exoplanet of this size. The HAT-P-26b is located about 437 light years away.
The significance of the study lies in the fact that it would help in understanding more about the birth and development of
planetary systems. The data obtained will also come handy in estimating the HAT-P-26b’s metallicity, which is an
indication of composition of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. The planet’s metallicity was found to be about
4.8 times that of the Sun. It would help in understanding the planet formation.
SCIENCE EXPRESS CLIMATE
ACTION SPECIAL
The Science Express is 16 coach AC mobile train
science exhibition of Department of Science &
Technology (DST). The objective of the Express is
to arouse interest of the young people in the field
of science and technology. Since its inception, the
programme is being managed by Vikram A
Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC).
The Science Express was launched from Delhi
Safdarjung Railway station on October 30, 2007.
The Express has so far completed 8 phases by
travelling 1,41,800 km, with 455 halts, and 1602 exhibition days. Thus, it is
has become the largest, longest running and the most visited mobile sci-
ence exhibition with six entries in the Limca Book of Records. Since its
inception, over 1.61 crore people had visited Science Express. The 8 phases
completed by the train includes 4 phases of ‘Science Express’, which had
showcased cutting edge research in science and technology being carried
worldwide; 3 phases of ‘Biodiversity Special’ (SEBS) which had showcased
the rich biodiversity of India; and one phase of ‘Climate Action Special’
(SECAS) that highlighted the global challenge of climate change. SECAS II
The Science Express Climate Action Special (SECAS II) constitutes 9th
Phase and will stop at 68 stations for science popularisation across the
country till September covering a total distance of 19,000 km. The current
ninth phase of the Science Express was flagged off on February 17 this
year. The SECAS is a collaborative initiative of DST, Ministry of Environ-
ment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), Department of Biotechnology
(DBT), Ministry of Railways, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Vikram A
Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC).
The Broad themes covered by SECAS-II
are: Underlying reasons for climate
change; impact of climate change and
ways to reduce it; adaptation strategies and
adaptation measures undertaken by India;
mitigation and various programmes
implemented; international negotiations for
climate change etc.