Mini-moon

Context:

• Earth is getting a new mini-moon, and it won’t be the first or the last

News:

• Earth is going to have its very own mini-moon from September 29 until November 25.
• The regular Moon’s new, temporary friend is 2024 PT₅, an asteroid captured from the Arjuna asteroid group (called the “Arjunas”).
• This new mini-moon is approximately 10 metres in diameter and will be captured by Earth’s gravity for 57 days.
• It’s small and faint, so it won’t be visible by the eye or with small telescopes, but will be visible to larger telescopes.

About mini-moon:

• NASA defines “moons” as “naturally formed bodies that orbit planets”. Intuitively, we think of moons as big rocks that stick around for a while, like our very own Moon.
• Astronomers have defined mini-moons as asteroids or comets that are gravitationally captured by a planet for a temporary amount of time.
• Small mini-moons are very common, but ones big enough to spot are more rare.
• 2024 PT₅ is only the fifth ever detected mini-moon captured by Earth.
• The first known mini-moon was called 1991 VG.
• It arrived in late 1991 and left in early 1992, and like 2024 PT₅ it was around 10 metres in diameter.
• RH₁₂₀ stuck around from July 2006 until July 2007.
• 2020 CD₃ was gravitationally captured by Earth for more than two years, making it the longest-captured mini-moon observed to date.
• 2022 NX₁ was found to be a natural mini-moon 5–15 metres in diameter.
• Modelling suggests that, at any given time, Earth has at least one captured mini-moon less than 1 metre in diameter.
• 2024 PT₅ was discovered using the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), which is an ongoing project specifically designed to search for asteroids.

Orbiting or just flying by?

• A mini-moon is a “temporarily captured orbiter” if it completes at least one full orbit of the Earth before returning to its usual orbit around the Sun.
• If a mini-moon is captured by Earth’s gravity but doesn’t make it around for a full orbit, it’s a “temporarily captured flyby” instead.
• Two of Earth’s mini-moons were “temporarily captured orbiters”, while the other three (including 2024 PT₅) fall into the “temporarily captured flybys” category.

Where do mini-moons come from?

• Mini-moons are asteroids from the large population of near-Earth objects (or NEOs) that are temporarily grabbed from their orbit around the Sun.
• Near-Earth objects are defined as natural physical objects floating in space, such as asteroids (space rocks) or comets (dirty space snowballs made of rock and ice), that are orbiting the Sun and approach to within 1.3 times Earth’s distance from the Sun at some point in their orbit.
• Because these objects are around the same distance from the Sun as the Earth, they can sometimes be captured by Earth’s gravity.
• 2024 PT₅ and a previous mini-moon called 2022 NX₁ were both captured from a group of asteroids orbiting the Sun at a similar distance from Earth, called the Arjunas.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Why are NDCs important in global climate talks?

Introduction:

• In the world’s struggle to halt and reverse climate change, countries periodically report on their plans and progress in bringing down national levels of planet-warming carbon emissions.
• These plans are called Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs for short.

NDC:

• A country’s NDC describes its national policies or decisions toward reaching net-zero emissions, and was updated every five years until delegates at the 2021 U.N. climate summit, COP26, in Glasgow called for more frequent updates every couple of years.
• Altogether, these reports help countries coordinate their climate policies action with one another. More immediately, they can tell us if the world is on track with its climate goals.
• The next round of NDC updates are due in February 2025, although some countries could announce plans during this week’s U.N. General Assembly in New York.
• Others might opt to share their newest plans during the upcoming U.N. climate summit, COP29, being held in Azerbaijan.

Net-zero goal:

• To avoid catastrophic climate extremes, countries agreed under the 2015 Paris Agreement to work together in limiting global warming to within 2 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial temperatures.
• For that outcome, the world not only needs to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, but also needs to move fast in getting there-by cutting emissions roughly in half from 2005 levels within the next six years.
• Instead, since the Paris pact, global emissions have continued to rise.

Importance of NDCs:

• While the Paris Agreement sets shared global emissions targets, each country decides for itself how to get there.
• They might consider policies for shifting how people power their homes, or how food is produced or cities designed.
• More than 170 of the world’s countries met the last NDC deadline ahead of COP26 in early 2021 with countries generally respecting the process – even if they are not equally ambitious and robust.
• For this next round of NDCs, countries have been asked to focus on setting more ambitious near-term emissions targets for 2030 and for 2035.

More info on NDCs:

• Overall, an NDC is considered strong if it is detailed, ambitious, and credible.
• They should set emissions reductions targets for key polluting sectors, such as energy and transportation, while reconciling national policies that might frustrate progress in transitioning to clean energy, such as fossil fuel subsidies.
• There should also be plans for how a country will monitor progress toward its NDC pledges.
• The reports can also cover plans for adapting to the conditions of a warmer world and keep people safe from increased flooding, heatwaves and other climate extremes.
• An NDC can detail projects to be launched, or plans for creating jobs in clean technology industries.
• It could include plans for public health measure amid increasing temperatures.
• Countries with more developed NDCs that outline projects, policies and financing needs can help to attract funding.
• But NDC reports can also describe backsliding on climate-friendly policy.
• Last year, Britain’s climate efforts were described by non-profit Climate Action Tracker as “insufficient” after the country’s then government backtracked on key climate policies such as the near-term phase-out of new petrol cars and gas boilers in homes.

Shortfalls:

• Pledges made within an NDC are considered voluntary, with countries facing no legal penalty if they fail to meet their own goals.
• However, they are obligated under the Paris Agreement to monitor progress and report on any failures.
• Some countries like Britain and Chile have incorporated their NDCs into national law, making their climate commitments legally binding at a national level.
• But while NDCs are not designed to be legally binding, countries can still face litigation for falling short.
• Europe’s top human rights court agreed in April with a group of Swiss women saying their government had violated their human rights by not doing enough to combat climate change.

Asia Power Index

Context:

• India surpasses Japan, ranks third on Asia Power Index of Australian think tank

News:

• The Sydney-based Lowy Institute has put the U.S. at the top of its Asia Power Index with a score of 81.7, followed by China with a score of 72.7, India (39.1) and Japan (38.9).

More on the news:

• India ranks third in the annual Asia Power Index, released by an Australian think tank, surpassing Japan on the back of strong post-COVID 19 economic growth, while China’s power appeared to plateau just below the United States.
• The Sydney-based Lowy Institute has put the U.S. at the top of its Asia Power Index with a score of 81.7, followed by China with a score of 72.7, India (39.1), Japan (38.9), Australia (31.9) and Russia (31.1).
• The Index ranks 27 countries and territories in terms of their capacity to shape their external environment – its scope reaching as far west as Pakistan, as far north as Russia, and as far into the Pacific as Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S.
• The index has cited economic growth, future potential, and diplomatic influence as key factors for India’s rise.
• However, it has pointed out that New Delhi’s clout remains below the potential promised by its resources.
• “India has shown remarkable post-pandemic economic recovery, contributing to a 4.2-point rise in its economic capability. India’s massive population and strong GDP growth reinforce its standing as the world’s third-largest economy in PPP terms,” the think tank has said.
• It has been noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has garnered greater international recognition.
• The think tank has said India’s non-aligned strategic posture has allowed it to navigate complex international waters effectively.
• It has said India’s participation in dialogues as well as its leadership in the Quad has allowed New Delhi to play a significant role in regional security dynamics, albeit outside of formal military alliances.

Make in India Celebrates 10 Years

Introduction:

• The ‘Make in India’ initiative, launched on 25th September 2014, completes a landmark decade of empowering India to become a global manufacturing hub.
• The program has played a pivotal role in boosting domestic manufacturing, fostering innovation, enhancing skill development, and facilitating foreign investment.

10 Years of Impact:

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Since 2014, India has attracted a cumulative FDI inflow of USD 667.4 billion (2014-24), registering an increase of 119% over the preceding decade (2004-14).
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: The PLI Schemes introduced in 2020 have resulted in ₹1.32 lakh crore (USD 16 billion) in investments and a significant boost in manufacturing output.
• Over 8.5 lakh jobs have been created directly and indirectly due to the initiative.
• Exports & Employment: India’s merchandise exports surpassed USD 437 billion in FY 2023-24. Exports have surged, with an additional ₹4 lakh crore generated due to the PLI schemes, while total employment in the manufacturing sector increased from 57 million in 2017-18 to 64.4 million in 2022-23.
• Ease of Doing Business: India’s commitment to improving business conditions is evident in its sharp rise from 142nd rank in 2014 to 63rd rank in 2019 in the World Bank’s Doing Business Report.
• Over 42,000 compliances have been reduced, and 3,700 provisions have been decriminalized.
• The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 has decriminalized 183 provisions across 42 Central Acts.

Key Reforms:

• Semiconductor Ecosystem Development: Semicon India Program, worth ₹76,000 crore, aims to provide an impetus to semiconductor and display manufacturing by facilitating capital support and technological collaborations.
• India has developed policies to support every segment of the semiconductor ecosystem, not just focusing on fabs but also including packaging, display wires, OSATs, sensors, and more.
• National Single Window System (NSWS): This platform simplifies the investor experience, integrating clearances from 32 Ministries/ Departments and 29 States/UTs, facilitating rapid approvals.
• PM Gatishakti: PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP), a GIS based platform with portals of various Ministries/Departments of Government, was launched in 2021.
• It is a transformative approach to facilitate data-based decisions related to integrated planning of multimodal infrastructure, thereby reducing logistics cost.
• National Logistics Policy (NLP): Aimed at reducing logistics costs and increasing efficiency, the NLP is key to making Indian products more globally competitive.
• Industrial Corridors & Infrastructure: The development of 11 industrial corridors under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme has seen the approval of 12 new projects.
• These corridors enhance India’s competitiveness by providing world-class infrastructure.
• One-District-One-Product (ODOP): Promoting indigenous products and craftsmanship across India, the ODOP initiative has fostered local economic development, with Unity Malls being set up in 27 states to provide platforms for these unique products.
• Startup India: The Government with intent to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and encouraging investments launched the Startup India initiative in 2016.
• Sustained efforts by the Government under the Startup India initiative have led to an increase in the number of recognised startups to 1,40,803 as on 30th June 2024, which have created over 15.5 lakh direct jobs.

• Government of India has undertaken a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to boost both domestic and foreign investments, fostering a robust and dynamic economic environment.
• From landmark reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the reduction in corporate tax, to far-reaching measures aimed at improving ease of doing business and streamlining FDI policies, every step is geared towards creating a more investment-friendly ecosystem.
• Initiatives like the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP), public procurement orders, and Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are focused on driving domestic manufacturing and enhancing product quality.
• The Government’s proactive response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, through the Atmanirbhar Bharat packages and targeted investments under the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and National Monetization Pipeline (NMP), has turned adversity into an opportunity for growth.
• Tools such as the India Industrial Land Bank (IILB), Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS), and the National Single Window System (NSWS) further streamline processes for investors.
• Additionally, Project Development Cells (PDCs) in various Ministries ensure that investment proposals are fast-tracked, making India a more attractive destination for global and domestic investors.
• These efforts collectively reinforce India’s position as a burgeoning hub for manufacturing and innovation.
• As India moves into its next decade of growth, Make in India 2.0 focuses on furthering sustainability, innovation, and self-reliance.
• With strategic interventions in renewable energy, green technologies, and advanced manufacturing, the initiative is ensuring that Indian products meet the highest global standards.