Daily Current Affairs : 20-May-2024

The Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment (PREFIRE) is a new and exciting task designed to examine the Earth’s polar regions. It aims to unlock vital facts about how heat is released from the planet’s poles. By using advanced technology, PREFIRE will assist scientists in understanding how specific properties of the poles contribute to the release of heat into space.

What is PREFIRE?

PREFIRE consists of two small satellites known as CubeSats. These CubeSats will work together to measure far-infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s polar regions. Far-infrared radiation is a type of energy that is not visible to the human eye but can be detected using specialized instruments. This radiation contains crucial information about the temperature and heat distribution on the Earth’s surface.

The Importance of Measuring Far-Infrared Radiation

  • Heat Dissipation: Far-infrared radiation is a key way that heat leaves the Earth. By measuring this radiation, PREFIRE will provide scientists with a better understanding of how heat is released from the poles and how it impacts global weather patterns.
  • Climate Change Insights: The poles play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate. The data gathered by PREFIRE will help scientists analyze how changes in the polar regions, such as melting ice, may affect the environment. This is especially important in understanding global warming and climate change.
  • Polar Properties: The mission will also explore how different characteristics of the polar regions, such as ice cover and snow, influence the amount of heat emitted. By studying these properties, scientists can gain a deeper understanding of the Earth’s energy balance.

Important Points:

PREFIRE Mission Overview:

  • Aimed at studying the Earth’s polar regions.
  • Focuses on understanding how heat is released from the poles.

CubeSats Technology:

  • The mission uses two small satellites called CubeSats.
  • These CubeSats will measure far-infrared radiation emitted by the polar regions.

Far-Infrared Radiation:

  • A type of energy not visible to the human eye.
  • Provides crucial information on temperature and heat distribution on Earth.

Importance of Far-Infrared Radiation:

  • Helps scientists understand heat dissipation from the Earth’s poles.
  • Essential for studying how this heat release affects global weather patterns.

Insights on Climate Change:

  • The data from PREFIRE will help scientists understand how changes in the polar regions (like melting ice) impact the environment.
  • Vital for researching global warming and climate change.

Polar Properties and Energy Balance:

  • Investigates how polar features like ice cover and snow influence heat emission.
  • Provides insights into the Earth’s energy balance and climate regulation.

Why In News

The Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment (PREFIRE) mission is set to unlock the mysteries of Earth’s poles by capturing new data on heat emissions, providing critical insights into how energy is transferred between the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere, and its impact on global climate patterns.

MCQs about The PREFIRE Mission and Its Role in Climate Research

  1. What is the primary goal of the PREFIRE mission?
    A. To explore the Earth’s oceans
    B. To measure the amount of solar radiation on Earth
    C. To study the heat emissions from the Earth’s polar regions
    D. To track weather patterns around the world
    Correct Answer: C. To study the heat emissions from the Earth’s polar regions
    Explanation: The PREFIRE mission is designed to capture data on heat emissions, specifically focusing on the far-infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s polar regions. This data helps scientists understand how heat is released and its impact on global climate patterns.
  2. What type of radiation will PREFIRE measure?
    A. Ultraviolet radiation
    B. Visible light radiation
    C. Far-infrared radiation
    D. X-ray radiation
    Correct Answer: C. Far-infrared radiation
    Explanation: PREFIRE will measure far-infrared radiation, a type of energy that is not visible to the human eye. This radiation is important for understanding the heat distribution on the Earth’s surface, especially in the polar regions.
  3. How does PREFIRE contribute to climate change research?
    A. It helps predict weather forecasts.
    B. It measures the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
    C. It provides data on how polar changes, like melting ice, impact global climate.
    D. It tracks volcanic activity and its effect on the atmosphere.
    Correct Answer: C. It provides data on how polar changes, like melting ice, impact global climate.
    Explanation: The data collected by PREFIRE will help scientists understand how changes in the polar regions (such as melting ice) influence the global climate, which is crucial for understanding global warming and climate change.
  4. What technological tools will PREFIRE use to collect data?
    A. High-altitude drones
    B. CubeSats (small satellites)
    C. Submarine sensors
    D. Ground-based weather stations
    Correct Answer: B. CubeSats (small satellites)
    Explanation: PREFIRE uses CubeSats, small satellites that work together to measure far-infrared radiation emitted by the polar regions. These CubeSats are equipped with specialized instruments to capture data about heat emissions from the Earth’s surface.

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