GENERAL NEWS – JULY 2009

Saturday, July 18th 2009
Chandrayaan-1 faces technical problems
Indian first lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 has been threatened to be disrupted by a prime sensor failure. The sensor is very critical for the orientation of the spacecraft. The sensor is suspected to have failed due to solar radiation. However the mission has successfully completed 95% of its objectives during the eight months of its operation. 

Sunday, July 19th 2009
Walter Cronkite passes away
Legendary American television broadcaster Walter Cronkite died in New York at the age of 92. He was popularly known as anchorman Walter Cronkite and was also called the most trusted voice of America. From 1962 to 1981, when Cronkite anchored the CBS news, he was witness to several historical moments including the landing on Moon to the assassination of the US President John F Kennedy. He had been suffering from Cerebrovascular disease.

Tuesday, July 21st 2009
Longest Solar eclipse on July 22nd
On July 22nd 2009 India will witness the longest ever solar eclipse of the 21st century. After 2009 this solar eclipse will occur only after 105 years in 2114 AD. Due to visibility issues arising because of monsoon clouds in many parts of India, a few places in Bihar have been assigned ideal locations by star gazers. This would be a total solar eclipse and is expected to take place a little after sunrise.

Wednesday, July 22nd 2009
Legendary vocalist Gangubai Hangal passes away
Legendary Hindustani classical vocalist Gangubai Hangal, 97, passed away on Tuesday in Hubli. Known to be a rebel who fought caste and gender barriers to become one of the foremost exponents of the Kirana gharana of Hindustani classical music. Her musical career spanned seven decades. She has been honored with several awards including the Padma Vibhushan for her contribution to music.

Friday, July 31st 2009
Minerals spotted on the moon
Chandrayaan-1, India's maiden moon mission has found traces of calcium and silicon on the surface of the moon. The new data came to light after the spacecraft was put at a higher orbit in the gyro mode. The new sightings of minerals by the CXIS instrument is the second revelation , the first mineral element found by this mission on the moon was iron.