Pluto Demoted Day

 

In Prague on August 24, 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) voted to demote Pluto from the ninth planet from the Sun to one of dozens of known dwarf planets.

The vote followed a week of debate by the IAU, who voted on multiple proposals including one that kept not just Pluto as a planet but added two new planets—the asteroid Ceres and Pluto’s moon Charon. The ultimate proposal defined the word “planets” (which comes from the Greek word planets, or “wanderers”) supposedly once and for all: planets are celestial objects large enough to be made rounded by their gravitational orbit around the Sun and to have pushed away nearby planetary objects and debris. Two years later, the IAU decided on a name for dwarf planets similar to Pluto— “plutoid” - —grouping Pluto with Eris.

Some influential astronomers were caught off guard by the procedure, questioning the final proposal’s logic and pointing to the low turnout of voters (424 astronomers out of about 10,000 professional astronomers worldwide) at the IAU conference. One astronomer pointed to the contradiction that Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Neptune all have nearby asteroids. “I’m embarrassed for astronomy,” he said. “Less than 5 percent of the world’s astronomers voted.”

This scientific reclassification has had a worldwide cultural impact, as suggested by the American Dialect Society’s choice of “plutoed” as 2006’s Word of the Year—meaning “to demote or devalue someone or something. “Our members believe the great emotional reaction of the public to the demotion of Pluto shows the importance of Pluto as a name,” the society’s president said. Some state legislatures have even named March 13 Pluto Day, in stubborn dismissal of Pluto’s demotion.

National Space Day (India)

 

India is celebrating its maiden National Space Day today on August 23, 2024, on the one-year anniversary of the successful moon landing of ISRO's Vikram Lander from Chandrayaan-3 on August 23, 2023. India made history on August 23, 2023, by becoming the fourth nation to successfully land on the Moon and the first to reach its southern polar region. To commemorate this monumental achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared August 23 as "National Space Day."

National Space Day: Theme and significance

The theme of this year's National Space Day (is "Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India's Space Saga." This theme reflects India's extraordinary journey in space exploration and its impact on society. The celebrations will feature a series of events showcasing India's significant milestones in space, the societal benefits of its space program, and the countless opportunities available for people to engage with and contribute to the nation's space endeavours.

National Space Day 2024 is a time to celebrate the wonders of the universe, the incredible achievements of astronauts and space scientists, and the unyielding human spirit that pushes the boundaries of exploration. This day offers an opportunity to reflect on our progress in space exploration and the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Space exploration has been one of humanity's greatest achievements, marking our journey from curious observers of the night sky to active explorers of the cosmos. The bravery and dedication of astronauts and space scientists have made this possible. On National Space Day, we honour these pioneers who dared to venture into the unknown, expanding our knowledge and understanding of the universe.

Vikram Sarabhai, a renowned Indian scientist, is often referred to as the "father of the Indian space program. One of his famous quotes: "There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society."

World Folklore Day

World Folklore Day, celebrated annually on August 22, has an intriguing history behind its date. It was on this day in 1946 that the term "folklore" was coined by the English writer William John Thoms. World Folklore Day aims to preserve the rich collection of traditions that comprise global folklore and encourage ongoing studies in this field.

Vinoo Mankad's Death Anniversary

 

Mulvantrai Himmatlal Mankad or Vinoo Mankad, who passed away on 21 August 1978, in Mumbai, aged 61, was one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of Indian cricket. Mankad, who represented India in 44 Tests, averaged 31.47 with the bat. He also scored 5 centuries and 6 fifties during the course of his Test career. Being a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, Mankad twice took 8-wickets in an innings. He ended his Test career with 162 wickets, striking at a rate of 90.6 balls per wicket.

His top performance as an all-rounder came against England at Lord's in 1952. He was the top scorer for India in both the innings, scoring 72 and 184 in first and second innings respectively. He also picked 5/196 during England's first innings, making his way to both the batting and bowling honours boards. Even though India ended the Test match and the series on the losing side, Mankad's performance was lauded all over.

During New Zealand's tour of India in 1955/56, Vinoo Mankad scored 231 at Chennai, the highest score in Tests by an Indian at that time. This record was only broken in 1983, after Sunil Gavaskar made 236 against the West Indies.

In the same innings against New Zealand, Mankad and his opening partner Pankaj Roy recorded the highest opening partnership of 413 runs, a record that stood for 52 years. This record was only broken by Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith, who put on 415 runs for the first wicket against Bangladesh in 2008.

Vinoo Mankad will be remembered the most for what transpired during India's tour of Australia in 1947/48. In the second Test, he ran out Bill Brown, who was backing up too far at the non-striker's end. Mankad, who was the bowler, broke the wickets down after seeing Brown out of the crease in his bowling delivery. After this, a new term called 'Mankading' (because Vinoo Mankad used it for the first time) was coined to describe running someone out this way.

The BCCI commemorated Vinoo Mankad's contribution to Indian cricket, naming the domestic Under-19 One day tournament as the Vinoo Mankad Trophy.

 

World Mosquito Day

World Mosquito Day is observed annually on August 20 to raise awareness about the persistent threat posed by mosquitoes, which are responsible for spreading some of the deadliest diseases known to humanity. This day emphasises the critical importance of safeguarding ourselves and our communities from the life-threatening illnesses that mosquitoes transmit, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. These diseases continue to affect and claim the lives of millions across the globe each year, making it vital to remain vigilant in our fight against these tiny yet deadly creatures.

World Mosquito Day History

On August 20, 1897, Sir Ronald Ross made a groundbreaking discovery when he found the malaria parasite in the stomach of a female Anopheles mosquito. This discovery revolutionised medical science by providing the first evidence that mosquitoes transmit malaria to humans. In honour of this milestone, World Mosquito Day was established on August 20. Each year, it serves as a reminder to raise awareness about the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases and the ongoing efforts to combat these deadly pests.

World Mosquito Day Significance

World Mosquito Day aims to raise awareness about the various diseases mosquitoes can transmit, such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and chikungunya. It also honours the tireless efforts of social service providers, medical professionals, and other individuals dedicated to combating these mosquito-borne diseases.

The primary objective is to unite in the fight to control the mosquito population and reduce the threat of these diseases. Many organisations also use this day to raise funds and promote preventive measures, including vaccination and the use of insect repellents.

 

World Photography Day

World Photography Day observed on August 19 commemorates the invention of the Daguerreotype, one of the earliest photographic processes, which was announced as a gift to the world by the French government on August 19, 1839. The Daguerreotype, developed by Louis Daguerre and Joseph Niépce, marked a significant milestone in the history of photography, revolutionizing how images were captured and preserved.

World Photography Day honours this invention and celebrates photography as a medium that has evolved over centuries, influencing art, science, journalism, and personal expression. It serves as a global platform for photographers and enthusiasts to come together, share their passion, showcase their work, and promote the appreciation of photography worldwide.

World Breast Cancer Research Day

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer overall. And every year, August 18 is observed as World Breast Cancer Research Day globally to emphasise the urgent need of finding a cure for the deadly disease. Also, the day aims to raise awareness to show support to the people suffering from the deadly disease.

The day founded by Dr Susan Love Foundation was first annually celebrated in 2021.

According to World Cancer Research Day Organisation, “Breast cancer advocacy and research is highlighted significantly in October, but our fight against the disease needs to continue throughout the rest of the year. Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, the top-ranked breast cancer research organization in the U.S., recognized the need to highlight breast cancer specifically the research that is being done to combat the disease ­outside the month of October. Dr Susan Love Foundation is hopeful that World Breast Cancer Research Day will be a pivotal day in history that will allow us to achieve a breast cancer-free world.”