NASA discovers giant planet ‘Super Earth’ sending mysterious signal 154 light years away: Report
Washington, D.C.: In a fascinating development, NASA has reportedly discovered a new planet, described as a "Super Earth," just 154 light-years away that is sending out a strange, repeating signal that has caught the attention of scientists.
According to a report by The Sun, cited by Hindustan Times, the planet, named TOI‑1846 b, was spotted earlier this year when NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) detected a recurring flicker of light from a star in the Lyra constellation, located in the northern sky.
Interestingly, TOI‑1846 b is about twice the size of Earth and nearly four times as heavy. Its size and weight place it in a rare category known as the “radius gap”—a zone between small rocky planets like Earth and large gas giants such as Neptune.
Because of this, scientists believe the planet could have unusual features, such as a thin atmosphere, a layer of thick ice, or perhaps even a shallow ocean. Despite its high surface temperature—around 300°C (about 600°F)—researchers say water might still exist.
However, due to the extreme temperatures, scientists think the chances of life on the planet are very low.
The planet's discovery was confirmed by Abderahmane Soubkiou and his team at the Oukaimeden Observatory in Morocco, who worked alongside observers from four continents.
“We have validated TOI‑1846 b using TESS and multicolor ground‑based photometric data, high‑resolution imaging, and spectroscopic observations,” the team explained.
Furthermore, the team found the planet circles its star in just under four days.
To better understand this mysterious Super Earth, scientists say more advanced tools will be needed. One such instrument, MAROON-X, located on the Gemini North telescope in Hawai‘i, could help confirm the planet’s exact mass and detect any nearby planets.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Russian military hardware, spare parts for Indian military to be manufactured in India
New Delhi (PTI): Russia agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of military hardware and spare parts for maintenance of Russian-origin arms and defence equipment.
Ways to bolster overall bilateral defence cooperation figured prominently during summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
It has been a long-standing grievance of armed forces that the supply of critical spares and equipment from Russia takes a long time, affecting the maintenance of military systems procured from that country.
"Both sides agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates and other products for maintenance of Russian origin arms and defence equipment under Make-in-India programme through transfer of technology," a joint statement said.
ALSO READ: India, Russia explore cooperation on small modular reactors, floating nuclear power plants
It said both sides also agreed to set up joint ventures for meeting the needs of the Indian armed forces as well as subsequent export to mutually friendly third countries.
The joint statement said the India-Russia defence partnership is being reoriented to take up joint co-development and co-production of advanced defence technology and systems.
In their meeting on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov resolved to expand bilateral defence cooperation.
In the meeting, the Indian side showed keen interest in procurement of additional batches of S-400 missile systems from Moscow to bolster its combat prowess.
In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding a warning by the US that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions under the provisions of Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Three squadrons have already been delivered.
The S-400 systems played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor. India may also look at procuring the S-500 missile systems from Russia.
In the Modi-Putin talks, the two sides also agreed to continue jointly developing systems of bilateral trade settlements through the use of national currencies.
Additionally, the two sides agreed to continue their consultations on enabling the interoperability of the national payment systems, financial messaging systems, as well as central bank digital currency platforms.
Modi and Putin appreciated the ongoing intensification of the joint work on a free trade agreement on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, covering sectors of mutual interest, the joint statement said.
They also directed both sides to intensify efforts in negotiations on a mutually beneficial agreement on the promotion and protection of investment, it said.
India and Russia also welcomed steps to ensure long-term supply of fertilisers to India and discussed the potential establishment of joint ventures in this area.
