Chandrayaan-3 Data shows 60°C temp difference on Moon, potential for subsurface habitats
Based on data from the ChaSTE payload on the Chandrayaan-3 lander, an yet-to-published research found an enormous temperature difference of approximately 60 degrees Celsius between the lunar surface and barely 10 centimeters within it. According to a senior scientist of the Indian Space and Research Organization (Isro), the extreme heat non-conductivity of the lunar surface may make it possible to build temperature-controlled dwellings beneath it.
Researchers are examining whether long-term habitation on Earth's satellite is feasible as well as whether the moon can function as a base for deep space travel.
The lander of the Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) was equipped with a thermometer that was inserted 10 cm into the lunar regolith, which is composed of mineral pieces, rock chips, and lunar soil. Ten sensors, spaced one centimeter apart, were used by the device to measure the temperature in this layer at various points.
Ten sensors are mounted on it to record the temperature over a ten-day period at various depths. As the sun moved across the area, we could see how the temperature varied at different depths, the Isro scientist stated.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission was designed to allow all of the experiments to run for almost the whole time; one lunar day is equal to fourteen Earth days.
A live thermal conductivity test was conducted ten days later. "A heater was positioned at a depth of roughly 8 cm on the eighth sensor. After 10 days, we switched on the heater to observe how the regolith absorbed the heat. The sensors recorded the drop in temperature after the heater was turned on for four hours and then turned off. The scientist stated, "That gave us the first information about the actual thermal conductivity of the moon," and that the report would be published shortly.
The experiment demonstrated that the moon's surface was entirely non-conductive, according to the experts. "I can utilize it as a heat blanket for a human habitat if it is non-conducting. The scientist compared it to using a blanket on cold winter evenings. "Any heat generated inside will remain trapped, even though the outside temperature may be low," the scientist added. The stark temperature difference, which can range from 121 degrees Celsius during the day to -133 degrees Celsius at night, is one of the difficulties faced by lunar missions. Temperatures as low as -246 degrees Celsius have also been recorded in deep craters.
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Shivakumar clarifies on Cartier watch, hits back at BJP leader
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday hit back at senior BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and clarified with records on the expensive Cartier wristwatch he had submitted in the affidavit to Lokayukta.
Claiming that he is a "transparent person", he asked whether he or Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should not have the right to wear a watch of their choice.
His clarification came a day after Narayanaswamy, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, had questioned about the expensive watches.
"Mr Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, please take a moment to review the affidavit I submitted to the Lokayukta," Shivakumar said in a post on 'X', with documents of assets declared with Lokayukta on October 28, which mentions Rolex watch worth Rs 9 lakh and two Cartier watches worth Rs 23,90,246 and Rs 12,06,000 respectively.
The Deputy CM said, "As someone in a position of responsibility, speaking falsehoods for convenience is not only wrong but also undermines your (Narayanaswamy) integrity."
"I am a transparent person and have shared the truth openly. Do I, or even CM Siddaramaiah, not have the right to wear a watch of our choice? I urge you to refrain from making baseless remarks and exercise your constitutional authority wisely and responsibly," he said, adding that all the details are on record, and if the BJP leader wishes, he is welcome to visit the Lokayukta office and verify the affidavit himself.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar reportedly wore similar Cartier watches when the former visited the latter's residence for breakfast on December 2, and the opposition BJP has been critical of the expensive watches and has raised questions about it.
Pointing to reports that both the CM and Deputy CM were wearing expensive watches from the same company, Narayanaswamy on Thursday had accused Shivakuamar of not mentioning about the watches purchase to the Election Commission.
He said that Shivakumar's affidavit submitted to the Election Commission only mentioned a Rolex watch worth Rs 9 lakh and a Hublot watch worth Rs 23,90,246, but does not have any mention of a Cartier watch.
"Where have you (Shivakumar) declared a Cartier watch", the BJP leader had questioned while adding that the watch is currently valued at about Rs 47 lakh, including taxes.
Questioning whether the Cartier watch was stolen or purchased, Narayanaswamy accused Shivakumar of lying to the people by stating that he had purchased it using his credit card, and had demanded him to release the documents about the purchase.
The opposition leader, citing that the CM is a "watch lover", pointed out that Siddaramaiah, during his earlier tenure as CM, was embroiled in a controversy over a Hublot watch, which he had subsequently handed over to the Assembly secretariat, declaring it as state property.
Reacting to Shivakumar's post, Narayanaswamy on Friday, while stating that it is a well-known fact that the Deputy CM has the ability to buy and wear watches worth lakhs of rupees, asked him, "As you (Shivakumar), yourself have said, you have a Cartier watch that you bought 7 years ago, why did you not declare it in your 2018 and 2023 election affidavits?"
In a post on 'X', he said he has only put a legitimate question before Shivakumar to seek clarification. "It is up to you (Shivakumar) to answer in the right way or ignore it," he added.
Hitting back at Narayanaswamy, Shivakumar, speaking to reporters, said, anyone could check his Lokayukta affidavit and that he was ready to resign if he had lied. He also challenged the opposition leader whether he was ready to resign if proven wrong.
"Narayanaswamy lacks experience, I have filed (declaration of assets) before Lokayukta and wherever I have to. I have my watch with me. If I'm lying I'm ready to resign today itself. Is he ready? One should have basic common sense and should not speak just for publicity. I behave more responsibly than him. He should learn to work with responsibility. Let him go and see the Lokayukta affidavit that I have filed this year," he said.
