Which desert, identified as a gypsum-bearing Martian analogue site in this study, lies outside India?
- A.Atacama Desert, Chile
- B.Sahara Desert, Africa
- C.Gobi Desert, Mongolia
- D.Kalahari Desert, Botswana
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is the Atacama Desert in Chile. Gypsum was identified there and also in the Tiruchirappalli Badlands, a semi-arid geological and palaeoclimatic terrain in Tamil Nadu, and both places therefore qualify as Martian analogue sites for the study of past water activity. Options B, C and D name the Sahara, the Gobi and the Kalahari, which are large deserts but were not part of this research. The Atacama is widely used in planetary science because it is extremely dry, and gypsum formed in such conditions can preserve biosignatures that reveal whether an environment was once habitable. The team behind the work is now examining rare analogue sites in other extreme environments around the world to study primitive life for astrobiological research, using the same laser Raman facility.
Read the full article: Indian Scientists Identify Martian Analogue Sites in Tamil Nadu
Practice Questions
Which mineral identified at Neyveli in Tamil Nadu helped establish it as a Martian analogue site?
- A.Melanterite
- B.Gypsum
- C.Hematite
- D.Olivine
Show answer
At Neyveli the mineral forms from marcasite in the lignite substratum through sulphide oxidation, and it records short-lived wet, acidic and oxidising conditions of the kind believed to have produced sulphates on Mars.
Read the full explanation →Which institution's research team identified the Martian analogue sites using a laser Raman spectrometer?
- A.Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad
- B.University of Kerala, Department of Geology
- C.Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru
- D.National Centre for Earth Science Studies
Show answer
The laser Raman spectrometer used for the work is supported under the DST-FIST programme at that department, and the research team was led by Dr. Sajin Kumar K. S., who is the Project Coordinator of DST-FIST.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following is NOT one of the four pillars of the quantum programme supported by TDB?
- A.Identity security
- B.Location integrity
- C.Time integrity
- D.Climate resilience
Show answer
The four pillars are identity security, location integrity, network security and time integrity. Under identity security the project develops quantum-secure physical unclonable functions and quantum-safe trusted platform modules so that device identity is anchored in hardware.
Read the full explanation →What is the amount of TDB support and the total cost of the QNu Labs quantum project?
- A.Support of Rs 100 crore in a project of Rs 250 crore
- B.Support of Rs 150 crore in a project of Rs 300 crore
- C.Support of Rs 200 crore in a project of Rs 400 crore
- D.Support of Rs 250 crore in a project of Rs 500 crore
Show answer
The Technology Development Board is contributing half the project's cost from the Research Development and Innovation Fund, and the support is routed through Optionally Convertible Debt.
Read the full explanation →The Technology Development Board signed an agreement for quantum-secure technology support with which company?
- A.QNu Labs Private Limited, Bengaluru
- B.QpiAI India Private Limited, Pune
- C.BosonQ Psi Private Limited, Bhopal
- D.Quantum Ecosystems Technology Council of India
Show answer
The Technology Development Board, which functions under the Department of Science and Technology, signed the agreement with this Karnataka-based company for financial support from the Research Development and Innovation Fund.
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