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SCIENCE
CURRENT EVENTS
THE SUPERMOON
The Supermoon is observed when the moon comes closest to the Earth at 356,509 km . It recently happened on November 14 . This is for the first time moon came closest to Earth since 1948 . Last time , the moon came closer to earth is on 26 January 1948 . Next time the supermoon will be observed on 25 November 2034 and this time moon will be even closer than this year .
What is supermoon ?
Supermoon or perigee full moon is a phenomenon that occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon being the closest to the Earth on its orbit . During this time , the natural satellite appears roughly 30 % larger in area and 30 % brighter than the smallest full moons . In terms of diameter , the width of the moon is about 14 % wider than the smallest full moons .
What causes a supermoon ?
The moon ’ s orbit around Earth is ellipse ( a kind of squashed circle ) and not in a circle . When an orbit is elliptical , Earth in the middle sits at one of two foci of ellipse . The moon is inevitably closer to the Earth when it passes one side of the ellipse and further away as it passes the other side . When it is at the closest side ( called “ perigee ”) it is a full moon . If this distance is to closer earth then it is called a supermoon .
Why are supermoons not all the same size ?
The reason is that the shape of the ellipse that the moon draws around the Earth is changing all the time as it is pushed and pulled by other gravitational forces .
ROBOT LAXMI
India ’ s first banking robot named Lakshmi was launched by the Kumbakonam-based City Union Bank ( CUB ) in Chennai , Tamil Nadu . Lakshmi will be first on-site huamanoid ( robot ) in India . Currently , CUB has readied only one version of huamanoid banker and but is planning to deploy 25-30 robots at key branches by end of year if Lakshmi proves a hit with customers .
Key Facts
• Lakshmi is artificial intelligence powered robot . It can speak English , gesture and engage in a life-like manner in conversations .
• The robot can interact with customers on more than 125 subjects including account balance and interest rates on loans .
• It will not voice the sensitive financial information like account details rather display it discreetly on its screen .
What is artificial intelligence ? Artificial intelligence is the branch of computer science concerned with making computers behave like humans . In contrast to normal hardware and software , artificial intelligence enables a machine to perceive and respond to its changing environment . The artificial intelligence machines learn automatically like humans during their processing by assimilating large volumes of information
WINSPIRE : Empowering youth | December , 2016