TOPICS TO BE COVERED
• SUPER BLUE MOON
• WATERSPOUTS
• 3 NEW WETLANDS ADDED RAMSAR LIST
• MCQs
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SUPER BLUE MOON
For the second year in a row, Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi which is celebrated on the full moon day (that is on Purnima in the month of Shravan), is marked by the sighting of a ‘super blue moon’ on Monday (August 19).
This is an unusual astronomical feat the full moon being both a “blue moon” and a “super moon,” giving rise to the “Super Blue Moon,” a rare trifecta of astronomical events.
WHAT IS A SUPERMOON?
A supermoon is a full moon that occurs when the Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit. This point in the Moon's orbit is called perigee. When a full moon coincides with perigee, it appears slightly larger and brighter than usual.
Why does it look bigger?
The Moon's orbit is not a perfect circle but an ellipse, meaning there are points where it's closer and farther from Earth.
When a full moon happens at the closest point (perigee), it appears larger in the sky.
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WHAT IS A BLUE MOON?
Though the expression “once in a blue moon” implies a rare or unusual occurrence, a blue moon is not that rare an astronomical phenomenon. There are a couple of definitions of a blue moon.
(1) One that is most commonly understood and is endorsed by NASA describes the situation when a full moon is seen twice in a single month. Because the new moon to new moon cycle lasts 29.5 days, a time comes when the full moon occurs at the beginning of a month, and there are days left still for another full cycle to be completed. Such a month, in which the full moon is seen on the 1st or 2nd, will have a second full moon on the 30th or 31st. According to NASA, this happens every two or three years.
(2) Another widely accepted explanation relies on the astronomical season, defined as a period between a solstice and an equinox. The current astronomical summer began with the summer solstice on June 21, and will end with the autumn equinox on September 22.
The Maine Farmers’ Almanac in 1937 defined a blue Moon as the third full Moon in a quarterly season of four full Moons.
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IS THE SUPER BLUE MOON ACTUALLY BLUE?
No. Sometimes, smoke or dust in the air can scatter red wavelengths of light, as a result of which the moon may, in certain places, appear more blue than usual. But this has nothing to do with the name “blue” moon.
IS THE SUPER BLUE MOON BIGGER IN SIZE?
According to NASA, a full moon at perigee (super moon) is about 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a full moon at apogee (called a “micro moon”).
Further, about 25 percent of all full moons are super moons, but only 3 percent of full moons are blue moons. The time between super blue moons is quite irregular ― it can be as much as 20 years ― but in general, 10 years is the average.
IS THE SIZE NOTICEABLE?
It is unlikely the difference in size will be noticeable to most people. The moon could appear somewhat brighter, though but whether you are able to make out the difference will depend on factors such as the so-called ‘Moon illusion’, and how cloudy or polluted it is at your location.
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WATERSPOUTS
At least one man died and six people are missing after a luxury yacht sank was hit by a violent storm off the coast of Sicily, Italy, on Monday (August 19).
Experts suggest the storm could have been a waterspout — essentially a tornado over water.
WHAT IS A WATERSPOUT?
A water sprout is a rotating column of air or mist that forms over a body of water. It's essentially a tornado that occurs over water.
There are two main types:
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• Fair weather waterspouts: These are usually weaker and form in calm weather conditions.
• Tornadic waterspouts: These are more powerful and are actually tornadoes that form over water.
MORE ABOUT WATERSPOUTS
It is a weaker cousin of tornadoes and typically lasts for around five minutes occasionally it can last up to 10 minutes. The average waterspout can be around 165 feet in diameter, with wind speeds of 100 kilometres per hour.
WHERE ARE THEY FORMED?
Although waterspouts are more common in tropical waters, they can appear anywhere. They occur when there are high levels of humidity and relatively warm water temperatures compared to the overlying air.
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3 NEW WETLAND SITES ADDED TO RAMSAR LIST
On the eve of Independence Day 2024, Union Environment Minister announced that India has added three new wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites. With this addition, India now has 85 Ramsar sites covering a total area of 1,358,068 hectares.
New Ramsar Sites:
• Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
• Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
• Tawa Reservoir (Madhya Pradesh)
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RAMSAR CONVENTION:
The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, is the only global treaty that focuses specifically on wetlands.
It is an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
Objective: To halt the worldwide loss of wetlands and to conserve, through wise use and management, those that remain.
Members: 170 countries
Once designated, these sites are added to the Convention's List of Wetlands of International Importance and become known as Ramsar sites.
In designating a wetland as a Ramsar site, countries agree to establish and oversee a management framework aimed at conserving the wetland and ensuring its wise use.
RAMSAR CONVENTION & INDIA
Ramsar Convention: India joined the Ramsar Convention on February 1, 1982.
From 1982 to 2013, 26 sites were added, while 59 sites were added from 2014 to 2024.
Current Rankings: Tamil Nadu now has the most Ramsar sites in India (18), followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10.
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MCQs
1. A Supermoon occurs at which of the following conditions?
(A) An Apogee
(B) A Perigee
(C) Either apogee or perigee.
(D) Neither apogee nor perigee.
Ans. (B)
2. Consider the following statements and mark the correct one:
1. A super blue moon is bigger in size than a full moon.
2. A blue moon is a situation when a full moon is seen twice in a month.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 & 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. (C)
3
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Consider the following statements wrt waterspouts and mark the correct one:
1. Waterspouts occur only in the tropics.
2. Waterspouts have become frequent due to climate change.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 & 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. (B)
4. Which state in India has the highest number of Ramsar sites?
(A) Uttar Pradesh
(B) Gujarat
(C) Andhra Pradesh
(D) Tamil Nadu
Ans. (D)
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5 Consider the statements and mark how many of them are correct?
1. India signed the Ramsar convention at its inaugural session.
2. More than half of Ramsar sites (85) in India have been added in the last 10 years.
3. Tawa reservoir is the latest addition in the Ramsar sites list.
(A) Only 1 statement is true.
(B) Only 2 statements are true.
(C) All the 3 statements are true.
(D) None of the statements are true.
Ans. (B)