04 April 2023
By GyanOk

Daily Current Affairs Notes for 04 April 2023

International Day for Mine Awareness 2023 observed on 4th April

Every year on April 4, the world observes the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, with the aim of creating awareness about the dangers of explosive mines and generating

International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 2023

On April 4th each year, the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is commemorated worldwide. The objective is to raise awareness about the hazardous nature of explosive mines and to garner support for initiatives aimed at eradicating them. The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) heads the mine action community, which plays a pivotal role in achieving the goals of mine action.

International Day of Mine Awareness: Theme

This year, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has chosen the theme "Mine Action Cannot Wait" for its campaign. The campaign aims to highlight the prolonged issues created by explosive mines in countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. It emphasizes the urgency of addressing these persistent problems that have lasted for several decades.

International Day of Mine Awareness: Significance

The International Day of Mine Awareness and Action is observed to work towards a world free of landmines and explosive remnants of war, ensuring the safety of individuals and communities. This day holds great significance as it has resulted in the creation of an accountability framework for the United Nations and the implementation of the 'Theory of Change' in the mine action program.

This day witnesses the collaboration of 12 departments and offices of the United Nations Secretariat, along with specialized agencies, funds, and programs, to support mine action programs in 30 countries and 3 territories. It is also significant for peacekeepers who conduct patrols, aid humanitarian agencies, raise public awareness about the perils of mines, and educate individuals residing in dangerous areas on how to stay safe and prevent the risk of injury or death.

International Day of Mine Awareness: History

The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention was established in 1997 to spearhead the movement against mines, and has been endorsed by 164 nations to date. In 2005, the UN General Assembly designated April 4th as the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance for Mine Action, to be commemorated globally.

Since then, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has been dedicated to addressing the requirements of individuals impacted by explosive hazards, such as civilians, humanitarian workers, and peacekeepers. UNMAS collaborates with numerous organizations and nations worldwide to provide aid to those affected by land mines and to eradicate the dangers posed by these hazardous explosives.

Closest Black Hole to Earth Discovered in Our Cosmic Backyard: A New Era Begins

Scientists have discovered the closest black hole, BH1, to Earth in our cosmic backyard using the Gaia satellite.

Scientists have made a noteworthy discovery in astronomy by identifying the nearest black hole to our planet, which is located nearby in space. This remarkable discovery presents new prospects for studying these mysterious entities and comprehending their impact on the structure of the cosmos.

Discovery of the black hole BH1:

Using the European Space Agency's Gaia satellite, astronomers have identified a black hole named BH1. It has been discovered at a distance of only 1,000 light-years from Earth, making it the closest black hole ever found. The Gaia satellite has been designed to precisely measure the movements and locations of stars within the Milky Way galaxy.

What is a black hole?

Black holes are extremely dense objects that arise when massive stars crumble under the weight of their own gravity. They are so dense that their gravitational force is powerful enough to capture anything that approaches too closely, including light. This renders them invisible to telescopes, which can only perceive the impact of their gravity on matter in the vicinity.

Why is this discovery so significant?

The detection of BH1 is noteworthy because it enables scientists to scrutinize a black hole at close range and with greater detail. By observing the impact of its gravity on nearby stars and gas, astronomers can gain further insights into the characteristics and conduct of black holes. This can aid in our comprehension of how they are formed, expand, and interact with their environment.

Apart from BH1, the Gaia satellite also detected another black hole called Gaia BH2, which is positioned approximately 15,000 light-years from Earth. These two black holes possess the most extensively separated orbits among all identified black holes, with BH1 revolving around a companion star every 6.7 days and Gaia BH2 taking nearly 7.6 years to finish one orbit.

The discovery of BH1 and Gaia BH2 is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting new era of black hole research. With the help of advanced telescopes and satellites, astronomers are poised to unlock the secrets of these mysterious objects and gain new insights into the workings of the universe.

NASA Selects First Woman and Black Man for Artemis II Moon Mission

NASA has announced the names of the four astronauts who will be taking humans back to the Moon. For the first time, a woman astronaut, Christina Koch, and a black astronaut, Victor Glover.

NASA Selects First Woman and Black Man for Moon Mission

NASA has announced the names of four astronauts who will be taking humans back to the Moon on the Artemis II mission, marking a 50-year hiatus since the last manned lunar landing. Among them are the first woman astronaut, Christina Koch, and the first black astronaut, Victor Glover. Reid Wiseman and Jeremy Hansen complete the team, which is scheduled to orbit the Moon in a capsule in either late 2022 or early 2025. Although they will not land on the Moon, their mission will pave the way for a future crew to make a touchdown.

The last human spaceflight mission to the Moon was Apollo 17 in December 1972, and the first landing was made by Apollo 11 in 1969. It is expected that the next lunar landing, named Artemis-3, will not happen until at least a year after the Artemis-2 mission. Currently, NASA does not have a system that can land astronauts on the lunar surface, but Elon Musk's SpaceX company is working on developing one.

At a ceremony held in Houston, Texas, the four astronauts - three Americans and one Canadian - were introduced to the public. They will now begin a rigorous training period to prepare for the mission. By selecting a woman and a person of color, NASA is fulfilling its commitment to promoting diversity in its exploration efforts. It is noteworthy that all previous manned Moon missions were carried out by white men.

About all Four astronauts

Reid Wiseman (47): is a former US Navy pilot who previously served as the head of NASA's astronaut office. He has completed one space mission in 2015 to the International Space Station.
Victor Glover (46): is a US Navy test pilot who joined NASA in 2013. He made his first spaceflight in 2020 and was the first African American to stay on the space station for an extended period of six months.
Christina Koch (44): is an electrical engineer who holds the record for the longest continuous time in space by a woman, with 328 days. She also participated in the first all-female spacewalk in October 2019, alongside NASA astronaut Jessica Meir.
Jeremy Hansen (47): is a former fighter pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force who joined the Canadian Space Agency. He has not yet flown in space.

About the Artemis II mission:

Artemis II will involve the crew boarding the Orion spacecraft, which will be carried by the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket - the most powerful rocket ever built - for a flyby of Earth's natural satellite. The Artemis II crew is comprised of thousands of dedicated individuals who have worked tirelessly to bring us closer to the stars. This is not just their crew, but our crew, and humanity's crew.

NASA plans to test the performance of the SLS rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and the ground systems required to support crewed missions to the Moon during the Artemis II mission. The mission will also evaluate the communication and navigation systems that will be utilized during future crewed missions.