Author: Science India Bureau
Image Courtesy: NASA/ Wikipedia/ Public Domain The scientists have found the first atmosphere surrounding an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting within the habitable zone of a distant star. The researchers say that their discovery provides the strongest evidence yet that worlds with conditions similar to Earth could exist beyond our solar system. The gas detected in the atmosphere is helium, which would not be able to support life, but other gases may also be present. According to news reports, the astronomers have found the first confirmed atmosphere around a rocky planet in another star’s habitable zone. The exoplanet, LHS 1140 b,…
Image Courtesy: PIB YOUNG SCIENTIST / PROF SURHUD SHRIKANT MORE When the Government of India announced recipients of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025, one name stood out in the field of physics—that of Prof Surhud Shrikant More of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune. He was chosen for the prestigious Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for his exceptional contributions to astrophysics and cosmology, particularly his work on galaxy formation, dark matter and the large-scale structure of the universe. For Prof More, the award is the culmination of a journey that began in rural Maharashtra. Growing up in…
Image Courtesy: NIOT TECH TALK / HIGH-ALTITUDE HEXACOPTER DRONE For decades, India’s weather forecasting infrastructure has relied heavily on satellites, ground-based observatories and radiosonde balloons. While these systems have played a crucial role in meteorological observations, scientists have long sought a method that can repeatedly gather atmospheric data from the same location with greater precision. The answer has come in the form of a high-altitude hexacopter drone developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai. Weighing just 16 kilograms, the drone has been engineered to fly up to an altitude of five kilometres, carrying sophisticated instruments capable…
The 25th Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) and 7th Rashtriya Adhiveshan of Vijnana Bharati were held at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, on 12 June, and 13 & 14 June respectively. The Rashtriya Adhiveshan was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, who emphasised the importance of Indian science. He said science has been an integral part of Indian society from ancient times and made immense contribution. He said Indian farmers practiced innovative methods in agriculture and contributed to the country’s economic growth. The resolution of Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) released during the Adhiveshan asserted that Science, Technology…
Image Courtesy: Consulate General of India, Edinburgh A statue of Maharishi Sushruta, widely regarded as one of the earliest surgeons in history and the ‘Father of Surgery’, was unveiled at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Scotland on 19 June. The installation was announced by the Consulate General of India in Scotland, which described the event as a celebration of India’s ancient medical heritage and the long-standing links between India and Scotland in the field of medicine and surgery. The ceremony brought together medical professionals, academics and dignitaries from India and the United Kingdom. According to the Indian…
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast below-normal rainfall across most parts of India, as El Nino conditions continue to strengthen over the equatorial Pacific Ocean. El Nino, the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures over the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, weakens the monsoon circulation by reducing the temperature contrast between land and ocean, often suppressing cloud formation and rainfall over the Indian subcontinent. WHAT IS EL NINO? The term ‘El Nino’ means ‘The Little Boy’ in Spanish. It was first noticed by fishermen near South America. It is part of a larger climate system called the El Nino-Southern…
Image Courtesy: NASA/ Wikipedia/ Public Domain For decades, Antarctica has remained one of the Earth’s greatest geological mysteries, with more than 99 percent of its bedrock concealed beneath an ice sheet several kilometres thick. Now, scientists have uncovered one of the continent’s most remarkable hidden features—a colossal fan-shaped geological structure buried deep beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet that could reshape our understanding of Antarctica’s ancient past and improve predictions about its future in a warming world. The newly discovered formation, named the East Antarctic Fan-shaped Basin Province (EAFBP), is not a single basin but a vast network of interconnected…
Image Courtesy: PIB YOUNG SCIENTIST / ANKUR GARG Young ISRO scientist Ankur Garg has been conferred with the prestigious Vigyan Yuva– Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award under the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu. The award recognises exceptional contributions by young scientists in various fields of science and technology and places Ankur Garg among the country’s most promising scientific minds. Working at the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Garg has emerged as a key contributor in the field of space science and technology. His work is particularly linked with the use of artificial…
Image Courtesy: AAKA Space TECH TALK / 3D-PRINTED SHIELD In a breakthrough that signals India’s growing ambition in deep-space exploration, Ahmedabad-based AAKA Space Studio has developed Asia’s first 3D-printed radiation shield designed for houses on Mars. This innovation is not just a technological milestone but a crucial step toward making human life on the Red Planet a practical reality. The development comes at a time when global space agencies are actively planning long-duration missions to Mars. While rockets and propulsion systems often dominate headlines, the real challenge lies in something more fundamental, how humans will live, survive, and build on…
Image Courtesy: PIB YOUNG SCIENTIST / PROF MOHANASANKAR SIVAPRAKASAM In 2025, Prof Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam was awarded the Vigyan Yuva Award under the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, recognising a body of work that goes far beyond academic research. His journey represents a powerful shift in Indian science, where innovation is no longer confined to laboratories, but is designed to solve real-world problems at scale. At a time when access to quality healthcare remains uneven, Prof Sivaprakasam’s work stands out for its ability to bridge technology and affordability. Currently a professor at IIT Madras, Prof Sivaprakasam has built his career at the intersection…