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- Recent observations of Jupiter's Great Red Spot have revealed that the atmosphere surrounding the massive storm is surprisingly dynamic and active.
- About the Great Red Spot:
- The Great Red Spot is an anticyclone, a large, long-lasting high-pressure system that creates a persistent storm on Jupiter.
- Located in the planet’s Southern Hemisphere, the spot appears as a vast red oval on Jupiter’s surface. The exact cause of its red hue remains a mystery.
- The storm extends far above Jupiter’s main cloud layers and is the largest known storm in our Solar System. With a diameter of approximately 15,400 miles, it is nearly twice the size of Earth and about one-sixth the diameter of Jupiter itself.
- Winds within the Great Red Spot can reach speeds of up to 270 mph. This storm has been raging for at least 150 years, and it may have been around for much longer.
- The longevity of the Great Red Spot may be due to Jupiter’s composition as a gas giant. Without a solid surface, the planet lacks the mechanisms that would typically dissipate the energy of a storm, similar to how hurricanes weaken upon landfall on Earth.
- Although it has endured for centuries, the Great Red Spot does undergo changes in shape, size, and even color from time to time.
- A rare Binturong was recently captured by a camera trap set up by the Wildlife Trust of India’s Garo Green Spine project team in the Narang Wari Village Reserve Forest (VRF), situated in the buffer zone of Balpakram National Park.
- About the Binturong:
- The Binturong is a catlike omnivore belonging to the civet family and is the largest civet species in India, commonly referred to as the "bearcat."
- Scientific Name: Arctictis binturong
- Distribution: It inhabits the dense forests of Southeast Asia, with its range spanning from Nepal, India, and Bhutan in the north to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java, and eastward to Borneo.
- Physical Features: The Binturong's head and body measure about 60–95 cm, with an additional 55–90 cm for the tail. It typically weighs between 9 and 14 kg (20 to 31 pounds). It is known for its long, shaggy fur, tufted ears, and a long, bushy, prehensile tail. Its color is generally black with a mix of whitish hairs scattered throughout.
- The species is mostly nocturnal and crepuscular, meaning it is active during the twilight hours. The Binturong is arboreal, spending much of its time in trees, using its prehensile tail for added stability while climbing.
- Additionally, it has scent glands located beneath its tail, which it uses to mark trees and vegetation, helping to define its territory.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN: Vulnerable
- Wildlife Protection Act of 1972: Schedule I
- CITES: Appendix III
- The Indian Navy's frigate INS Tarkash, currently deployed in the Western Indian Ocean for maritime security operations, has recently intercepted and seized over 2500 kg of narcotics.
- About INS Tarkash:
- INS Tarkash is a cutting-edge stealth frigate in the Indian Navy, belonging to the Talwar class of guided missile frigates. These ships are modified versions of the Russian Krivak III-class frigates.
- Built at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, INS Tarkash was commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 9, 2012, at Kaliningrad. It is currently a vital asset of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet.
- Features: The ship incorporates advanced stealth technologies and a specialized hull design to minimize its radar cross-section, enhancing its ability to operate undetected.
- With a length of 124.8 meters, a beam of 15.2 meters, and a draught of 4.2 meters, INS Tarkash is designed for optimal performance in various conditions. Its top speed is an impressive 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph).
- INS Tarkash is equipped with a sophisticated weapon sensor system that allows it to address threats across all dimensions. It can also carry one Ka-28 Helix-A antisubmarine helicopter or one Ka-31 Helix-B airborne early warning helicopter.
- Weapons: The frigate is armed with the supersonic BrahMos missile system, an advanced surface-to-air missile system, an upgraded 100mm medium-range gun, an optically controlled 30mm close-in weapon system, torpedoes, rocket launchers, and a state-of-the-art electronic warfare and communication suite.