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
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is the University of Kerala, Department of Geology. 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. The instrument detects the distinctive spectral fingerprint of a mineral, which is how melanterite and gypsum were confirmed at the three sites. Options A, C and D name other respected Indian scientific institutions, but none of them carried out this particular study, so they are incorrect. Candidates should link the facts together for the examination: the university, the funding programme that paid for the instrument, the two minerals, the three sites in Tamil Nadu and Chile, and the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, where two papers reporting the results were published.
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 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
Show answer
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.
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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