1. ‘Black widow binary system’ was in news of late. It pertains to which of the following?
[A] Space
[B] Artificial Intelligence
[C] Spiders
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Space]
Notes:- Black widow binary is a unique system that consists of a pulsar (rapidly spinning neutron star) that is circling and slowly consuming a smaller companion star. The system derives its name from the “black widow” spiders, in which the female eats the male after mating.
- This system has the shortest orbital period yet identified. The system has a pulsar and a companion star that circle each other every 62 minutes.
- The system has been named ZTF J1406+1222.
- Another thing that makes the system unique apart from the short orbital period is the fact that it seems to host a third far-flung star that orbits the other two every 10,000 years.
2. Which of the following pairs of silks and their respective silkworms are correctly matched?
- Muga – Antheraea assamensis
- Eri – Samia ricini
- Tasar – Antheraea mylitta
- Mulberry – Bombyx mori
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Muga silk is from Antheraea assamensis, Eri from Samia ricini, Tasar from Antheraea mylitta, and Mulberry from Bombyx mori. These four are major commercial silks in India, with Muga, Eri, and Tasar considered wild (vanya) silks except Mulberry, which is from domesticated silkworms. All pairs are correctly matched.
3. Which of the following projects are located on the Krishna River?
- Srisailam Left Bank Canal Project
- Mahatma Gandhi Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Project
- Nettempadu Scheme Project
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Srisailam Left Bank Canal Project (Alimineti Madhava Reddy Project), Mahatma Gandhi Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Project, and Nettempadu Scheme Project all draw water from the Krishna River or its tributaries, mainly serving the irrigation needs of Telangana's drought-prone areas. Thus, all three projects are located on or derive water from the Krishna River system.
![Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs – July 12, 2022 [Mock Test]](https://i0.wp.com/www.gktoday.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/prelims-cover.png?resize=75%2C42&ssl=1)