Current Affairs Quiz-December, 2019

Notes:
The International Astronomical Union had recently named the extra- solar planet, HD 081b, as Santamasa. The exoplanet is in the constellation Sextans. Its name is derived from Sanskrit word ‘santamasa’ which means clouded, in reference to its clouded atmosphere. It is a Jupiter like planet.

Notes:
The Purussaurus is an extinct species of caiman (same family as alligators) that lived during the Miocene epoch. Scientists calculated the bite strength of these reptiles to be twice that of Tyrannosaurus Rex. The Purussaurus brasiliensis grew to lengths of over 12m.

Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard had conducted the two-day regional level pollution response exercise called “Swachchh Samundra NW-2019”. It was held off the coast of Vadinar in Gulf of Kutch. It aims to validate and reiterate the response mechanism for oil pollution incidents.

Notes:
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is a project between Russia and Germany. The US government recently passed a legislation imposing sanctions on firms aiding the development of this gas connection. Russia is already a major gas supplier to the EU accounting for 40%. The pipeline will increase in the gas exports to the EU.

Notes:
The Galapagos National Park is in the South American country, Ecuador. It is located on the Galapagos Island and is considered a World Heritage Site. The government recently announced a state of emergency in the region in light of the oil spill.

Notes:
The Girls’ Hostel at Kirtipur, Kathmandu was constructed and inaugurated recently by the government of India. It is meant for use by the Nepal Armed Police Force School in Kirtipur. 21% of the school’s strength is composed of girls. The school was established in 2005. India had contributed over 40 million Nepali Rupee for the structure’s construction.

Notes:
Phaethon is an asteroid that had once flew too close to the Sun and had cracked due to scorching conditions. The scientists, for many years, had struggled to photograph the debris left behind by the asteroid and recently, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, which was launched in 2018, has taken picture of it.

Notes:
Acute Respiratory Infection has claimed lives of 16 individuals in Bangladesh. It is a serious infection that prevents normal breathing function. It usually begins as a viral infection in the nose, trachea or lungs. If the infection is not treated, it can spread to the entire respiratory system.

Notes:
The Urside Meteor activity begins annually around December 17 and continues for a week until 25^th or 26^th . It is named for its radiant point, which is located near Beta Ursae Minoris in the constellation Ursa Minor.

Notes:
The 19^th session of the India-Iran Joint Commission was recently held in Tehran and both the countries have expressed their satisfaction on the progress achieved in operationalizing the Shahid Beheshti Port, Chabahar. Chabahar port serves as Iran’s only oceanic port consisting of two separate ports – Shahid Kalantari port and Shahid Beheshti.