STATIO
SHIV SHAKTI – SCI & TECH
News:
IAU approves ‘Statio Shiv
Shakti’ as name for Chandrayaan-3 landing site
What's
in the news?
●
The International Astronomical Union (IAU)
working group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name ‘Statio Shiv Shakti’ for the landing site
of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander.
Key
takeaways:
●
According to the Gazetteer of Planetary
Nomenclature, planetary nomenclature, like terrestrial nomenclature, is used to
uniquely identify a feature on the surface of a planet or satellite so that it
can be easily located, described and discussed.
●
The
IAU is the internationally recognised authority for assigning names to
planetary surface features. It follows some rules and conventions to do so.
Statio
Shiv Shakti:
●
The Prime Minister announced the name
‘Shiv Shakti’ for the Chandrayaan-3 landing site in August, 2023, reflecting
the significance of Indian mythology and
cultural heritage.
●
It is located at the coordinates 69.373°S
32.319°E and lies between the lunar
craters Manzinus C and Simpelius N.
Significance:
●
The name ‘Shiv Shakti’ symbolizes the masculine-feminine duality of nature,
embodying strength and resolution, with a profound connection to India’s
diverse cultural landscape.
International
Astronomical Union (IAU):
●
The IAU was founded on July 28, 1919,
during the Constitutive Assembly held in Brussels, Belgium.
●
Its creation was prompted by the need for international collaboration in
astronomy, especially after the devastation caused by World War I.
Aim:
●
It aims for promoting and safeguarding
astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation.
Headquarters
-
Paris, France.
Major
Activities and Initiatives:
1.
General Assembly:
●
The IAU holds a general assembly every
three years in varying parts of the world at which professional astronomers
meet to discuss research, new cooperative ventures, and similar matters of
professional interest.
2.
Astronomical Nomenclature:
●
IAU standardizes the nomenclature of
celestial bodies, features and phenomena.
●
It maintains several working groups
dedicated to naming conventions for stars, planets, asteroids and other
objects.
3.
Research and Collaboration:
●
It promotes international cooperation in
astronomical research and supports initiatives such as observational campaigns,
data sharing and joint projects.
4.
Education and Outreach:
●
It is actively involved in promoting
astronomy education and public outreach efforts worldwide. It supports
educational programs, workshops and resources for students, teachers and the
general public.
Membership:
●
IAU membership spans 92 countries. Out of
those countries, 85 are National Members.
●
India is represented by the Astronomical
Society of India (ASI).