Saturday, March 27, 2010

Cloud Seeding !

Cloud Seeding is a practice which is widely done now a days. It is a attempt done to increase or decrease the amount and type of precipitation. It is done by dispersing some type of substances (mainly chemicals) in the atmosphere which alters the micro-physical processes within the cloud. We may say that these substances work as a catalyst within the clouds which may increase or decrease the rate of processes within the cloud. We have listened that the trees cause rainfall but we never tried to know how is done. The answer is:
Trees produce TERPENES in the warm weather conditions which acts as a natural form of cloud seeding. TERPENES are released by some insects example: Mites and Swallowtail butterflies. Terpenes are a large and a varied class of hydrocarbons which are mainly released by Coniferous tress example: Pine. The name "terpene" is derived from the word TURPENTINE. Turpentine obtained by the distillation of resins obtained from trees.
As there are many natural processes which helps in cloud seeding, there are many man-made processes which too contribute in cloud-seeding. Now-a-days silver iodide and dry ice are used as agents for cloud seeding. Seeding of cloud can only take place when they contain liquid water at temperature less than zero degree Celsius. Now the question arises that:

HOW THESE CHEMICALS ARE DISPERSED IN THE AIR?
ANS. These chemicals are dispersed by the aircraft and through dispersion devices on the land. On release of these chemicals from the ground these chemicals are dispersed by air currents.

CLOUD SEEDING "A CURSE !"
Cloud seeding appears to be a curse for humanity as we have introduced ourselves to cases like this. We know that during the summer Olympics in Beijing the China launched rockets to stop rain in the opening and the closing ceremony of the Olympics which resulted in drought which lasted for several months.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Is Delhi ready for games?

With the arrival of year 2010, the people of Delhi are in great excitement about the 11th Commonwealth Games. So here we are with only 193 days left in Commonwealth games. Before we discuss our main topic its necessary for us to know about its history.

The Commonwealth games is an international event with multiple sports. Its main motto is HUMANITY-EQUALITY-DESTINY. It is held after every four years and involves the participation of elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. Previously it was known as the BRITISH EMPIRE GAMES and firstly took place at Hamilton, Canada in 1930. The name which presently it assumes was given in 1978. There are currently 53 member countries of these games and 71 teams take part in these games.
The idea to hold these types of games was firstly proposed by the Reverend Astley Cooper in 1891. He suggested that the games are a way to create the goodwill and good understanding among British Empire and its colonies. There are only 6 teams which have taken part in all the Commonwealth games taken place till now. They are: Canada, New Zealand, England, Wales, Australia and Scotland. The Commonwealth Games are organized by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CCF) which is responsible for direction and control of the Commonwealth Games.

Only seven months remain for Commonwealth games but it seems as if Delhi is not ready to handle the games. Many projects like the work on flyovers, metro extensions are still lagging behind. The time is slipping from the hands of our country. Moreover, the work on JAWAHARLAL NEHRU STADIUM and SHAYAMA PRASAD MUKHERJEE swimming complex is still not completed. The whole sight appears to be quite messy.

Mike Hooper, the chief executive of Commonwealth Games Federation (CCF) said in an interview that the "The deadlines are being pushed further every time".

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Oscar goes to........

This year, I think there was a great tragedy their (Kodak theaters) as the award for the best film of the year was snatched away by Kathryn Bigelow's -The Hurt locker. The film based on Iraq wars beat the most talked about film AVATAR. I think there was a great set back for James Cameron as her ex-wife took away the the golden statue home. This award showed that the academy not lay emphasis on big box office collectors, It gives away the award on the basis of the efficiency and content of the movie to shake the audience and most importantly the academy.
I felt bad for the James Cameron as he got defeat from his ex-wife. Its noticed that the academy mostly gives award for the films based on savages of war . For example: films like Schindler's List,The Pianist, Life is beautiful and many more are there. It seems that the academy like these kind of films.While the films based on non-terrestrial creatures (AVATAR) and animations usually are thrown out by the academy. The HURT LOCKER won five other awards including, in a surprise Best Director for Bigelows.
While the best actress award was given to SANDRA BULLOCK for her role in 'BLIND SIDE' and the best actor award was given to JEFF BRIDGES for his role in 'CRAZY HEART'.