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Science & Space Roundup: Top News of the Day (Nov 27)

Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.

Shukhrayaan: ISRO Receives Nod from Govt for Venus Orbiting Satellite Project

Nilesh Desai, the director of ISRO, recently revealed that the space agency has received a green signal for its Venus Orbiting satellite project —Shukhrayaan. In his words, "The Indian government has recently given a nod to our Venus Orbiting Satellite — Shukhrayaan... It will be launched in 2028... The idea of Chandrayaan 4 has been proposed as a follow up of Chandrayaan 3, where we will land not only on the moon but also will return with soil and rock samples."

(Credit: ISRO InSight)

Notably, during his interaction with the media, Desai also revealed that Chandrayaan 4 will be a joint mission between India and Japan. "... India and Japan will be doing a joint mission where we will go to the tip of the moon’s south pole at 90 degrees south as compared to our last attempt of 69.3 degrees south. We have not yet received the government’s approval for the mission. If we get the government’s nod, we will be able to execute the mission by 2030."

Scientists Find Inconsistency in Einstein's General Relativity Theory

Analyzing data from the Dark Energy Survey, scientists at the University of Geneva and Toulouse III found a small inconsistency in Albert Einstein's general relativity theory. Titled "Measurement of the Weyl potential evolution from the first three years of dark energy survey data," the findings have been published in the journal, Nature Communications.

Camille Bonvin, associate professor in the Department of Theoretical Physics at the UNIGE Faculty of Science, who led the study, said in a statement, "In our study, we used this data to directly measure the distortion of time and space, enabling us to compare our findings with Einstein's predictions."

(Credit: sunny)

The study found that "the depth of the wells aligns well with Einstein's predictions" about 6 and 7 billion years ago. However, they are "slightly shallower than predicted by Einstein" for the past 3.5 to 5 billion years.

The Origins of Deimos & Phobos - New Theories on How Mars' Moons May Have Been Formed

The origins of Deimos and Phobos - the two moons of Mars - have intrigued scientists for decades. There have been some theories, but nothing could explain it properly due to various complicated factors. However, scientists have recently come up with a new theory on the same.

New computer simulations suggest that Mars' moons may have been formed when an asteroid (about 3 percent of the mass of Mars) collided with the planet in its ancient age. According to the study authors, that asteroid crossed the Mars' Roche limit and created a large debris ring out of which the two moons could have formed.

(Credit: Space)

The research was done using the supercomputers at Durham University's Advanced Computing Systems. However, it still has a long way to go to get accepted by international scientists.

Scientists Come Up with New Formula to Save Earth from Asteroids

A team of scientists in Spain has come up with a new formula to safeguard Earth from 'killer' asteroids. Published in the journal, Monthly Notices Of the Royal Astronomical Society, the study suggests the use of "gravitational bending of light to pinpoint the precise locations of celestial objects", which could also "help refine Earth's planetary defense systems". Additionally, this new formula may also help in exploring various cosmic phenomena, including dark energy.

As Professor Oscar del Barco Novillo, of the University of Murcia in Spain, who authored the study, explained in a media interaction, "This could have implications on the precise positioning of distant stars, as well as the correct location of solar system minor objects like asteroids."

Notably, the gravitational bending of light was first observed by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century. Later, Sir Albert Einstein confirmed it with his theory of general relativity in the early 20th century.