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India’s AMCA Programme Takes Flight: A Stealth Leap into the Future of Air Combat

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In a major leap toward self-reliance in defense technology, India is set to develop its very own fifth-generation fighter jet—the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) . In a historic move, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved an innovative execution model for the indigenous stealth fighter programme. This model brings together Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and private industry players in a competitive framework, marking a significant shift in how India approaches military aviation manufacturing. This bold initiative comes at a critical time, as China has already fielded two fifth-generation fighters , and reports indicate it will supply 40 J-35 stealth jets to Pakistan . Against this backdrop, fast-tracking the AMCA has become an urgent national security imperative. AMCA: India’s Indigenous Stealth Fighter Dream The AMCA project , spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) , received its l...

Gravitational Lensing Explained: Discovery of Hidden Stars Behind Galaxy Clusters

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Gravitational Lensing (GL)

  1. Recent Discovery

    • Physicists at Durham University, UK, discovered over 44 unknown stars behind a galaxy cluster using gravitational lensing.
    • The stars were observed as they existed 8 billion years ago, during the universe's "cosmic noon."

  2. What is Gravitational Lensing?

    • Gravitational lensing occurs when a massive object (e.g., a galaxy cluster) bends and magnifies light from distant objects behind it.
    • The effect acts like a cosmic magnifying glass, revealing distant, faint celestial objects.

  3. Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity

    • Mass causes spacetime to curve, and light follows the curvature of spacetime.
    • When light passes near a massive object, it bends due to the object’s gravitational pull.

  4. Visual Effects of Gravitational Lensing

    • Arcs and Rings: The bending of light can create arcs or complete rings (called Einstein rings) around the massive object.
    • Multiple Images: It can also produce multiple images of the same background object.

  5. Recent Study Details

    • Researchers observed a distant galaxy named the "Dragon Arc," located behind the Abell 370 galaxy cluster.
    • The cluster's gravitational field distorted and stretched the shape of the Dragon Arc.

  6. Discovery of Hidden Stars

    • Using the magnified light from the Dragon Arc, scientists identified over 44 previously undetected stars.
    • These observations help study star formation during the early universe.

  7. Applications of Gravitational Lensing

    • Dark Matter Mapping: It helps in mapping the distribution of dark matter in the universe.
    • Studying Distant Galaxies: Magnification allows telescopes like Hubble and James Webb to observe faraway galaxies.
    • Cosmic Expansion: It aids in studying the universe’s expansion and understanding cosmological phenomena.

  8. Importance for Astronomy

    • Gravitational lensing plays a crucial role in expanding our knowledge of the cosmos.
    • It enables scientists to see objects beyond the standard observational range of telescopes.

Conclusion:
Gravitational lensing is a powerful tool that magnifies distant celestial objects, revealing hidden stars and galaxies. The recent discovery by Durham University highlights its importance in understanding the early universe and cosmic phenomena.

 

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