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 Previous Week Topic |
| April 09 |
 United underneath the stars More... |
05-04-2009 |
| | | | | S A Mohan talks about the International Year of Astronomy and what it is all about | |
Astronomy is a sub discipline of physics. It is an observational science in which perspective is a key consideration. Except for the Solar System, astronomers are constrained to study celestial bodies using light from distant objects. Astronomers use both observational and theoretical techniques to understand heavenly objects, the material in the spaces between them, and how all these interact.
Year-long celebration
The year 2009 has been declared the “International Year of Astronomy” by the General Assembly of the UN (United Nations). It is a year-long celebration of astronomy, to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical observations with a telescope by Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) and the publication of Johannes Kepler’s ‘Astronomia nova’ in the 17th Century.
The year was declared by the 62nd General Assembly of the UN. A global scheme, laid out by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), has also been endorsed by UNESCO - the UN body responsible for educational, scientific and cultural matters. The International Astronomical Union and UNESCO are coordinating the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. This initiative is an opportunity for the citizens of the Earth to gain a deeper insight into astronomy’s role in enriching all cultures and about the latest astronomical discoveries.
The activities will take place locally, nationally, regionally and internationally. This will help people rediscover their place in the universe through the sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery. National nodes have been formed in each country to organise activities for 2009.
These nodes will establish collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers, science centres, and science communicators to prepare for the activities. To help coordinate this huge global programme and to provide an important resource for the participating countries, the IAU has established a central secretariat and an IYA 2009 website as the principal resource for amateurs, professionals and media alike. More than 100 countries are already involved.
IYA 2009 is intended to be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture. To stimulate interest, especially among young people, programmes under the central theme “The Universe, Yours to Discover” are the main focus of the year. Eleven cornerstones
The IYA2009 is supported by eleven cornerstone projects. These are global programmes centred on specific themes and projects that will help to achieve IYA2009’s goals. Whether it is the support and promotion of women in astronomy, the preservation of dark-sky sites around the world or educating and explaining the workings of the Universe to millions, the eleven cornerstones will be key elements in the success of IYA2009. The cornerstones include 100 Hours of Astronomy, The Galileoscope, She is an Astronomer, Dark Skies Awareness, World Heritage, From Earth to the Universe, and The World at Night, among others.
The event will promote and facilitate the creation of an international network, which will be one of the legacies IYA2009 will leave behind. This network has reached 135 countries and a total of 140 are eventually expected to join, making it possible to reach out to 97% of the world’s population. Not just for the big guys
The event will also help lesser known organisations in the developing world to become involved with larger organisations and deliver their contributions. The initiative also aims to reach economically disadvantaged young children across the globe and enhance their understanding of the world.
Let’s celebrate the International Year of Astronomy in a grand manner and spread the awareness and magnanimity of astronomy. |
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| AIEEE Mathematics Preparation Tips More... |
13-04-2009 |
Mathematics is known to be one of the most scoring subjects in all domains of study, and AIEEE is no different. If you have your fundamentals clear and have practiced quick-solving techniques, there should be no stopping you from acing AIEEE Mathematics. Given below are some tips that will take you that extra mile to success Topic-wise tips › Trigonometry: In trigonometry, students usually find it difficult to memorize the vast number of formulae. Understand how to derive formulae and then apply them to solving problems. The more you practice, the more ingrained in your brain these formulae will be, enabling you to recall them in any situation. Direct questions from trigonometry are usually less in number, but the use of trigonometric concepts in coordinate geometry and calculus is very profuse. › Coordinate Geometry: This section is usually considered easier than trigonometry. There are many common concepts and formulae (such as equations of tangent and normal to a curve) in conic sections (circle, parabola, ellipse, hyperbola). Pay attention to Locus and related topics, as the understanding of these makes coordinate geometry easy. › Calculus: Calculus includes concept-based problems which require analytical skills. Functions are the backbone of this section. Be thorough with properties of all types of functions, such as trigonometric, algebraic, inverse trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential, and signum. Approximating sketches and graphical interpretations will help you solve problems faster. Practical application of derivatives is a very vast area, but if you understand the basic concepts involved, it is very easy to score. › Algebra: Don’t use formulae to solve problems in topics which are logic-oriented, such as permutations and combinations, probability, location of roots of aquadratic, geometrical applications of complex numbers, vectors, and 3D-geometry Final Preparation Tips › Focus on solving as many problems as you can, rather than just reading theories, formulae, and solutions › More from rigid reliance on rules without understanding (rule-oriented study) to an understanding of mathematical concepts and flexibility in problem solving (concept oriented study) › Master the fundamentals, as most questions are designed to evaluate the candidates’ clarity of fundamental concepts and the ability to apply these concepts to problem solving › Don’t be in a rush to solve problems. In AIEEE, both speed and strike-rate matter. You need to be quick as well as accurate to achieve high scores. High speed with low accuracy can actually ruin your results. My advice to all aspirants Master the fundamentals, practice a lot, and manage your time well Best of Luck! |
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| CLAT, COMED-K clash benefit More... |
20-04-2009 |
| Dr Ali Khwaja asks students not to spread themselves too thin | |
This year due to elections, the CLAT (Common Law Aptitude Test) for the National Law Schools all over the country, and the COMED-K (Entrance test for private engineering and medical colleges in Karnataka) are clashing on the same date i.e. 17th May.
A tough choice
This has given rise to confusion and even despair among students and parents who wish to try out all the possible avenues, and will have to now choose between these two.
This incident in fact should help you to introspect that running behind very varied and unconnected careers can only make you a loser on all fronts. As everyone knows, law is a significantly different career from engineering or medicine. If a student is attempting all these three courses, it is highly unlikely that he will be happy in any of them. For obviously, he will choose based on where he gets admission rather than on how strong his aptitude is for that particular career.
If you are not oriented towards medicine, but are getting admission in a good medical college, why should you take it up? Similarly, if you are not the legal type, would you like to qualify in law just because you are getting admission in a national law school?
The recent recession has again highlighted the fact that I have been continuously telling students: select the right career based on a combination of YOUR interest + aptitude (i.e. something you are genuinely interested in and passionate about, and you also have the necessary skills and ability to do well in). Up the career ladder
Once you take such a decision, you will enjoy your work, look forward to going to office, be successful, and rise up on the career ladder – very fast in good times, slightly slower in days of recession.
This is the time of the year for a series of entrance exams. More and more institutions are going in for entrance exams for admission, and obviously you cannot appear for all of them. Preparing for diverse tests will dilute your focus, and in highly competitive exams you may lose out on all the good ones.
Whether you have finished your 12th or degree, first make up your mind what career you would like to take up, and then prepare systematically for the exams that will take you to your goal. |
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| Akshaya Tritiya More... |
27-04-2009 |
Akshaye Tritiya, falling on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Vaisakha of the traditional Hindu calendar, is one of the four most auspicious days of the year for Hindus. The word Akshaye, a Sanskrit word, literally means one that never diminishes, and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. It is widely celebrated in all parts of India by different sections of the society irrespective of their religious faith and social grouping. The day is particularly considered auspicious for buying long term assets like gold and silver, including ornaments made of the same; diamond and other precious stones; and the real estate. The legend states that any venture initiated on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya shall continue to grow and bring prosperity. Hence, it is normal to see many of the new ventures, like starting a business, ground breaking for construction etc on the Akshaya Tritiya Day. With the mass media and marketing, this day has been taken over by marketeers to promote sales and bookings for Gold jewellery, houses, consumer electronics. The day is also traditionally celebrated as the birth day of the Hindu sage Parashurama, the sixth avatar (incarnation) of the God Vishnu. Following dates are for observance of akshaya tritiya in india only: (This dates may not be applicable outside of india due to longitude, latitude, sunrise and other differences). In 2006, Akshaya Tritiya falls on 30 April. In 2007, Akshaya Tritiya falls on 20 April. In 2008, Akshaya Tritiya falls on 8 May. In 2009, Akshaya Tritiya falls on 27 April. According to Hindu mythology, on this day the Treta Yuga began; and the Ganges River, the most holy and sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven. Akshaya Tritiya this year falls on 8th Thursday, the May 2008. According to the Telugu calendar, Sarvadhaari Year, Uttarayana Vasanta Rutuvu Vaisakha month, Tadiya Thidi. Akshaya Tritiya is traditionally observed as the birthday of Parusurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Puranas spoke about how he reclaimed the land from the sea. The Sun and Moon are astrologically believed to be at their most exalted equal brightness on this day. The brightness is at its best at the west coast of India. Goa and Konkan regions, even today, are referred to as Parusurama Kshetra. Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of the bright-half of the lunar month of Vaisakha is considered as one of the most sacred days of the year. The word, "Akshaya" means one that never diminishes. Hence, starting a new activity or buying valuables on this day is considered to certainly bring luck and success. The religious merit that is acquired by giving gifts on this day becomes inexhaustible. Many buy new gold jewelry on this day. Most Jewel stores stock in new jewelry models for this occasion. "Lakshmi-inscribed" gold coins, diamond jewellery and golden dollars with the pictures of many gods and goddesses. The day is generally observed by fasting and worship Lord Vasudeva with rice grains. The day gains more importance when it falls on a Monday or under Rohini Star. A dip in the Ganges on this day is considered to be very auspicious. Akshaya Tritiya is also called Navanna Parvam. This day also happens to be Parusurama Jayanti. Akshaya Tritiya falling on a Rohini star day is considered more auspicious. Needless to say, this rare occasion comes this year. Lord Kubera, considered to be the richest, is one amongst the Astadikpalakas. Lakshmi Tantram says that this Lord will himself pray to Goddess Lakshmi on this day. Most of us are already aware of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Out of these, Artha plays an important role. Artha here means money. Even decades passes by, the importance of Artha remains the same. Without Artha, nothing can be achieved. Here Artha merely does not only mean money but also includes honour, happiness etc. The pujas we have to perform on Akshaya Tritiya are as under: Kubera Lakshmi Puja This puja has to be performed on this day only. The puja should commence in the morning and end in the evening. From the next day onwards, one has to perform the puja regularly for 108 times by reciting the moola mantra. A photo of Goddess Lakshmi Devi along with Sudarsana Kubera Yantra could be used for the puja. Light with pure ghee should be used. Also light dhoop sticks with Kumkum and turmeric can be used. The moola mantra for the pujas is as follows: Kubera Twam Danadeesam Gruha Te Kamala Sithta Tam Devem Prehayasu Twam Madgruhe te Namo Namah. or by saying om namo bhagavty vasudavah |
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