Set your date with a rare exploding supernova

London, Jan 26 (IANS) If your are a stargazer, rush to the nearest telescope, or reach for a binocular, to witness a rare supernova explosion - believed to be closest to earth in 150 years.

In a thrilling discovery, a professor and his students at the University College London's teaching observatory have stumbled upon a new bright supernova at a mere 11.4 million light-years from earth - like next door in your neighbourhood in cosmic terms.

Called 'SN2014J' and located in the galaxy M82, the supernova is not visible to the naked eye but via telescopes or even binoculars, said media reports. It is expected to increase in brightness in next two weeks. A supernova is an explosion of a massive super-giant star. It may shine with the brightness of 10 billion suns. The discovery, however, was not planned.

'The clouds were rapidly increasing. So instead of the planned practical astronomy class, I gave the students an introductory demonstration of how to use the CCD camera on one of the observatory's automated 0.35-metre telescopes,' professor Steve Fossey was quoted as saying on www.space.com.

M82 was chosen as a target and it was while adjusting the telescope that Fossey noticed a star that appeared overlaid on the galaxy. The explosion occurred nearly 12 million years ago in M82 and is being witnessed now because of the time light takes to reach our galaxy, added the reports.

The M82 galaxy has a brightness which is around 100 times more than the Milky Way - the galaxy containing our solar system.

Set your date with a rare exploding supernova

London, Jan 26 (IANS) If your are a stargazer, rush to the nearest telescope, or reach for a binocular, to witness a rare supernova explosion - believed to be closest to earth in 150 years.

In a thrilling discovery, a professor and his students at the University College London's teaching observatory have stumbled upon a new bright supernova at a mere 11.4 million light-years from earth - like next door in your neighbourhood in cosmic terms.

Called 'SN2014J' and located in the galaxy M82, the supernova is not visible to the naked eye but via telescopes or even binoculars, said media reports. It is expected to increase in brightness in next two weeks. A supernova is an explosion of a massive super-giant star. It may shine with the brightness of 10 billion suns. The discovery, however, was not planned.

'The clouds were rapidly increasing. So instead of the planned practical astronomy class, I gave the students an introductory demonstration of how to use the CCD camera on one of the observatory's automated 0.35-metre telescopes,' professor Steve Fossey was quoted as saying on www.space.com.

M82 was chosen as a target and it was while adjusting the telescope that Fossey noticed a star that appeared overlaid on the galaxy. The explosion occurred nearly 12 million years ago in M82 and is being witnessed now because of the time light takes to reach our galaxy, added the reports.

The M82 galaxy has a brightness which is around 100 times more than the Milky Way - the galaxy containing our solar system.

Cold wave continues in Kashmir, Kargil coldest at -19.2 deg C

Srinagar: Cold wave continued in Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region as the minimum temperature in most parts settled below the freezing point, with the frontier town of Kargil being the coldest place in the state at over minus 19 degrees Celsius.  Kargil was the coldest recorded place in the state with the mercury settling at minus 19.2 degrees Celsius last night as against the previous night's minus 18.4 degrees Celsius. 

The minimum temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, continued to settle above the freezing point for the fourth day today as the city recorded a low of 0.6 degrees Celsius as against 0.9 degrees Celsius the previous night, an official of the MeT Department here said.  Mercury in Qazigund - the gateway town to Kashmir valley - settled at minus 0.4 degrees Celsius as against minus 1.0 degrees Celsius the previous night. 

Kokernag, in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 1.7 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous night's minus 1.3 degrees Celsius.  Mercury in the tourist resort of Pahalgam, also in south Kashmir, settled at a low of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius - almost same as the previous night's low of minus 5.5 deg C.  The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg registered a low of minus 8.2 degrees Celsius as compared to minus 8.4 degrees Celsius the previous night. 

Kupwara, in north Kashmir, recorded a low of 0.6 degrees Celsius, he said. Leh, in the frontier region of Ladakh, recorded a low of minus 12.3 degrees Celsius, over eight degrees down from the minus 4 degrees C the previous night. PTI 

Cold wave continues in Kashmir, Kargil coldest at -19.2 deg C

Srinagar: Cold wave continued in Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region as the minimum temperature in most parts settled below the freezing point, with the frontier town of Kargil being the coldest place in the state at over minus 19 degrees Celsius.  Kargil was the coldest recorded place in the state with the mercury settling at minus 19.2 degrees Celsius last night as against the previous night's minus 18.4 degrees Celsius. 

The minimum temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, continued to settle above the freezing point for the fourth day today as the city recorded a low of 0.6 degrees Celsius as against 0.9 degrees Celsius the previous night, an official of the MeT Department here said.  Mercury in Qazigund - the gateway town to Kashmir valley - settled at minus 0.4 degrees Celsius as against minus 1.0 degrees Celsius the previous night. 

Kokernag, in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 1.7 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous night's minus 1.3 degrees Celsius.  Mercury in the tourist resort of Pahalgam, also in south Kashmir, settled at a low of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius - almost same as the previous night's low of minus 5.5 deg C.  The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg registered a low of minus 8.2 degrees Celsius as compared to minus 8.4 degrees Celsius the previous night. 

Kupwara, in north Kashmir, recorded a low of 0.6 degrees Celsius, he said. Leh, in the frontier region of Ladakh, recorded a low of minus 12.3 degrees Celsius, over eight degrees down from the minus 4 degrees C the previous night. PTI 

. A budget of hope and concern

Finance Minister K M Mani’s record 12th budget stands apart for two reasons: Its emphasis on the agricultural sector and the boost for entrepreneurial aspirations of the youth. The budget, which has included many projects, offered freebies and a hike in welfare pension programme with an eye on Lok Sabha polls, also doesn’t turn a blind eye towards the State’s alarming financial position. 

The last budget’s estimated revenue increase hasn’t happened and the expenditure has in fact increased, which are reflected in this budget. The finance minister seems to be in sync with expert opinion that if Kerala’s economic condition, which is overwhelmingly dependent on sales tax levied on oil, gas and lottery sales, is to improve it should tap other revenue sources and make tax collection more effective. The finance minister’s main source of resource mobilisation as proposed in the budget seems to be an increase in vehicle tax, and taxes on IMFL and edible oil. 

While stamp duty was earlier brought down to check deliberate undervaluing of land sale, there were no attempts to put in place a mechanism for determining the fair price of land. Since this has eroded the collections from stamp duty, the budget has proposed that law should be amended to increase fair price of land. It has also hiked the one-time tax for constructing huge buildings. As a follow-up to the projects announced in the last budget to attract farmers to high-tech farming, the budget has made provisions for interest-free loans and subsidies for modern technology-based  projects like vertical farming. 

At the same time, it emphasises the need to review the state of high-tech farming and take measures to fix the deficiencies. Another prudent move is the Rs 100 crore envisaged for small scale irrigation projects and rain water harvesting projects.  The budget has proposed a 47 per cent hike in allocation for diary development from the previous year. This amount should be efficiently utilised to undo the harm caused by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, increase milk production and achieve self-sufficiency by initiating creative projects. Another proposal is to set up Milma model cooperative units to market agricultural products.

The government will also bear 90 per cent premium of crop insurance of small-scale farmers. Though this is a welcome move, the farmers would benefit only if the procedures are simplified. 
Though the previous budget had envisaged that revenue deficit would be brought down to zero next year, from the estimated Rs 2,269 crore, as per revised estimates it has jumped to Rs 6,208 crore.  Since the revenue deficit estimated for the next financial year is Rs 7,131 crore, it is clear that the State cannot implement the Fiscal Prudence Act. The debt has shot up to Rs 1,14,00 crore. If the financial woes of the state, which the minister himself has acknowledged, deepens many projects will have to be pared. Since project implementation has gone haywire this year also, the state may not be able to achieve the planned basic infrastructure development. So the state should avoid unnecessary expenditure and make all efforts to stick to fiscal prudence.  

. A budget of hope and concern

Finance Minister K M Mani’s record 12th budget stands apart for two reasons: Its emphasis on the agricultural sector and the boost for entrepreneurial aspirations of the youth. The budget, which has included many projects, offered freebies and a hike in welfare pension programme with an eye on Lok Sabha polls, also doesn’t turn a blind eye towards the State’s alarming financial position. 

The last budget’s estimated revenue increase hasn’t happened and the expenditure has in fact increased, which are reflected in this budget. The finance minister seems to be in sync with expert opinion that if Kerala’s economic condition, which is overwhelmingly dependent on sales tax levied on oil, gas and lottery sales, is to improve it should tap other revenue sources and make tax collection more effective. The finance minister’s main source of resource mobilisation as proposed in the budget seems to be an increase in vehicle tax, and taxes on IMFL and edible oil. 

While stamp duty was earlier brought down to check deliberate undervaluing of land sale, there were no attempts to put in place a mechanism for determining the fair price of land. Since this has eroded the collections from stamp duty, the budget has proposed that law should be amended to increase fair price of land. It has also hiked the one-time tax for constructing huge buildings. As a follow-up to the projects announced in the last budget to attract farmers to high-tech farming, the budget has made provisions for interest-free loans and subsidies for modern technology-based  projects like vertical farming. 

At the same time, it emphasises the need to review the state of high-tech farming and take measures to fix the deficiencies. Another prudent move is the Rs 100 crore envisaged for small scale irrigation projects and rain water harvesting projects.  The budget has proposed a 47 per cent hike in allocation for diary development from the previous year. This amount should be efficiently utilised to undo the harm caused by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, increase milk production and achieve self-sufficiency by initiating creative projects. Another proposal is to set up Milma model cooperative units to market agricultural products.

The government will also bear 90 per cent premium of crop insurance of small-scale farmers. Though this is a welcome move, the farmers would benefit only if the procedures are simplified. 
Though the previous budget had envisaged that revenue deficit would be brought down to zero next year, from the estimated Rs 2,269 crore, as per revised estimates it has jumped to Rs 6,208 crore.  Since the revenue deficit estimated for the next financial year is Rs 7,131 crore, it is clear that the State cannot implement the Fiscal Prudence Act. The debt has shot up to Rs 1,14,00 crore. If the financial woes of the state, which the minister himself has acknowledged, deepens many projects will have to be pared. Since project implementation has gone haywire this year also, the state may not be able to achieve the planned basic infrastructure development. So the state should avoid unnecessary expenditure and make all efforts to stick to fiscal prudence.  

Agri cards for farmers; Loan at 4 pc interest

Thiruvananthapuram: Various welfare projects were announced for farmers by Finance Minister K M Mani in the 2013-14 state budget on Friday. To make Kerala a high tech agri state, Mani announced an agri loan of Rs 5 lakh at an interest rate of 4 pc for farmers. Agri cards will be distributed to all farmers who could avail benefits through this card.

The govt will give a loan of upto 90 percent for farmers to start poly housing farms. Rs 25 lakh has been earmarked to conduct global agri meet. The govt will provide free laptops to girl students doing professional courses belonging to small scale farmers. Agri insurance scheme was also announced for small scale farmers. The govt will pay 90 percent of the premium.

The govt has allotted 50 percent subsidy for rainwater harvesting. To create agricultural awareness among students, the govt will provide an opportunity for global visits. The govt announced Rs 5 lakh for eminent farmers to undertake study trips. A special package of Rs 10 cr has been earmarked for Arecanut farmers in Kasargod and Rs 10 cr for landless farmers.

Agri cards for farmers; Loan at 4 pc interest

Thiruvananthapuram: Various welfare projects were announced for farmers by Finance Minister K M Mani in the 2013-14 state budget on Friday. To make Kerala a high tech agri state, Mani announced an agri loan of Rs 5 lakh at an interest rate of 4 pc for farmers. Agri cards will be distributed to all farmers who could avail benefits through this card.

The govt will give a loan of upto 90 percent for farmers to start poly housing farms. Rs 25 lakh has been earmarked to conduct global agri meet. The govt will provide free laptops to girl students doing professional courses belonging to small scale farmers. Agri insurance scheme was also announced for small scale farmers. The govt will pay 90 percent of the premium.

The govt has allotted 50 percent subsidy for rainwater harvesting. To create agricultural awareness among students, the govt will provide an opportunity for global visits. The govt announced Rs 5 lakh for eminent farmers to undertake study trips. A special package of Rs 10 cr has been earmarked for Arecanut farmers in Kasargod and Rs 10 cr for landless farmers.

Student shot in US university campus

Washington: One student was shot on campus in South Carolina State University of the US Friday, police said.

'Police have not yet apprehended a suspect but they are currently in pursuit of the person they believe to be the perpetrator,' the university said via its twitter account, Xinhua reported.

As the police continue to search for the suspect, the university is currently on lock-down and students are urged to take precautions.Officials of the university said the shooting took place in a dormitory, media reports said.

South Carolina State University is located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, about 60 km southeast of Columbia, the state's capital

Student shot in US university campus

Washington: One student was shot on campus in South Carolina State University of the US Friday, police said.

'Police have not yet apprehended a suspect but they are currently in pursuit of the person they believe to be the perpetrator,' the university said via its twitter account, Xinhua reported.

As the police continue to search for the suspect, the university is currently on lock-down and students are urged to take precautions.Officials of the university said the shooting took place in a dormitory, media reports said.

South Carolina State University is located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, about 60 km southeast of Columbia, the state's capital