In a rare celestial event, the last supermoon of the year coincided with the Spring Equinox, which became popularly known as the ‘Super Worm Equinox Moon.’ In other developments, the LightSail 2 project emerges as an innovative attempt to use solar radiation as a power source for spacecrafts. These advancements in the field of astronomy signify the human pursuit to understand and harness nature’s secrets.
Understanding the ‘Super Worm Equinox Moon’
The Super Worm Equinox Moon is the full moon of March and the third supermoon of the year, following a super blood wolf moon on January 21st and a super snow moon on February 19th. It is referred to as the worm moon because, in cold climates, the ground begins to thaw, and earthworms become active.
When the moon is at its closest point to the earth, it is called ‘perigee.’ A full moon during a perigee is termed a Supermoon. On the other hand, an Equinox refers to the time when day and night are equal in length due to the sun’s rays falling directly on the earth’s equator. This phenomenon occurs twice annually: once during September as the autumn equinox and again in March as spring or vernal equinox.
Facts about Super Worm Equinox Moon and Similar Phenomena
| Phenomenon | Occurrence |
|---|---|
| Super Blood Wolf Moon | January 21 |
| Super Snow Moon | February 19 |
| Super Worm Equinox Moon | March (Spring Equinox) |
The LightSail 2 Project and Solar Sailing
The LightSail 2 project is an initiative to demonstrate controlled solar sailing using a miniature CubeSat satellite. This technology will be launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, US in April 2019. It is the second of three satellites designed to demonstrate the possibility of powering a spacecraft using solar radiation.
Solar sails, also known as light sails or photon sails, are proposed methods of spacecraft propulsion using radiation pressure from sunlight on large mirrors. The LightSail 2 mission aims to see if it can move into higher orbits around the Earth using only photons from the sun to push it along.
Threat of ‘Fall Armyworms’
Native to the Americas, ‘Fall armyworms’ have been moving eastwards since 2016, triggering severe damage across Africa before arriving in Asia. These flying insects feed primarily on maize but can also infest several species of crops, including rice and sugarcane.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has convened a meeting in Bangkok with officials from affected countries and experts to discuss ways to limit armyworm infestations. Strategies under consideration include crushing egg masses, using biopesticides, and deploying chemical pesticides with caution due to potential environmental and health dangers.
About the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
The FAO is a United Nations agency that spearheads international efforts to combat hunger. Established on October 16, 1945, in Quebec City, Canada, the organization serves as a knowledge base and aids developing countries in modernizing agriculture, forestry, and fisheries practices. Every year, World Food Day is celebrated on October 16 to commemorate FAO’s founding and promote the Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger, achieving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture by 2030.
