Latest news with #KaashviKhubyani
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Science
- Indian Express
Twin meteor showers to dazzle the skies tonight: How to watch the celestial spectacle
If you're someone who loves a good sky show, mark your calendars for July 29 and 30. This week, the night sky has something magical in store: twin meteor showers- the Southern Delta Aquariids and the Alpha Capricornids will be peaking at the same time, offering a rare double treat. As July comes to an end, these two meteor showers will light up the night in a stunning cosmic coincidence. Astronomers are predicting at least 25 meteors per hour i.e nearly one every couple of minutes. While meteor showers aren't uncommon (there are over 900 every year), having two peaks together is rare. Additionally, with the moon only about 27 per cent full, its dim light won't interfere much making the meteors more visible. 'This is just an amazing coincidence,' says Nicholas Moskovitz, a planetary astronomer at Lowell Observatory in Arizona was quoted as saying by 'Almost all meteor showers peak in the early morning hours between 2 and 4 a.m., so your best chance to catch them is after midnight, ideally around 3 a.m.' Meteor showers are basically nature's fireworks, caused when Earth passes through trails of debris left behind by comets. Southern Delta Aquariids come from Comet 96P/Machholz, which orbits the Sun every five years. On the other hand, Alpha Capricornids are produced by Comet 169P/NEAT, discovered in 2002. This one swings by the Sun every 4.2 years. As Earth crosses their paths, tiny bits of comet dust burn up in our atmosphere, creating the bright streaks we see as meteors or 'shooting stars.' The double meteor shower will peak in the early hours of July 30, but you can still catch it before and after, especially through July 31. In fact, the meteor showers will continue to be active until August 12, though the best display will be around the end of July. While the Southern Hemisphere gets the best view with constellations Aquarius and Capricornus gleaming their skies, viewers in India and other Northern Hemisphere regions can still get a good show, especially if you look toward the southern horizon. Time it right: Head out after midnight, with 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. being the perfect hours. Find a dark place: Rural areas or rooftops with minimal light pollution are ideal. No equipment needed: No telescopes or binoculars required. Even if clouds come over, don't worry. These showers last more than a week, so there's still time to catch them. Just step out before dawn and soak in the quiet wonder of the night sky. (This article has been curated by Kaashvi Khubyani, who is an intern with The Indian Express.)
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Google Pixel 10 Launch Event Date, Time in India Live Streaming: How to watch Google event live on YouTube, website
Google Pixel 10 Launch Event Date And Time Live Streaming: Google is gearing up for its highly anticipated Made by Google Event 2025 scheduled for August 21, 2025, where the company is expected to unveil the next generation of its flagship smartphones: the Pixel 10 series. This year, four new models are expected to be released: the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the widely rumoured Pixel 10 Pro Fold. As per Google's official announcement, the global launch event will be live-streamed on August 21, 2025, and Indian audiences can tune in from 10:30 PM IST onwards. Like previous years, the event will be live-streamed globally on Google's official YouTube channel and on the official Made by Google event page. Viewers can set reminders via YouTube or follow updates in real-time across Google's official handles on various social media platforms. A recent Play Store ad spotted by Android Authority has seemingly confirmed that the tech giant will release four new models this time, namely: – Pixel 10 – Pixel 10 Pro – Pixel 10 Pro XL – Pixel 10 Pro Fold According to leaks, three of the models will come in a grey colourway while the foldable appears to be in Indigo Blue. Though details remain under wraps, the banner's 'Now Available' text and an offer valid till October 13 suggest these phones may hit stores in September 2025 globally. Leaks indicate minor refinements in design, continuing Google's signature minimalist aesthetic. The Pixel 10 series is also expected to debut with the Tensor G5 SoC, manufactured by TSMC, marking a notable shift in chip development from Samsung's earlier collaborations. A teaser tagline reportedly associated with the event reads: 'Ask more of your phone,' hinting at AI-powered upgrades and deeper integration across Google's ecosystem. The launch event may also witness the debut of the Pixel Watch 4 and possibly a new Pixel Buds model. If true, this would solidify Google's push toward building a more cohesive Pixel hardware lineup. While the global event kicks off in August 2025, Google has confirmed an exclusive India launch event on October 21. This move aligns with Google's growing focus on the Indian smartphone market, especially as the company doubles down on its premium Android offerings in the country. (This article has been curated by Kaashvi Khubyani, who is an intern with The Indian Express.)
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Science
- Indian Express
Is the universe halfway to its end? New theory predicts a Big Crunch in 33 billion years
Is the end of the universe closer than we imagined? A new theory, inspired by the latest data from major sky surveys suggests that our cosmos might stop expanding in about 10 billion years and then begin collapsing, all the way into a final end just 33 billion years from now. That might sound far off, but in cosmic terms, it's uncomfortably soon. Over the past year, astronomers working with the Dark Energy Survey (DES) and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) have spotted something intriguing: dark energy, the mysterious force causing the universe to expand faster and faster – might not be a constant after all. Instead, it could be changing over time. And if that's true, it's a big deal. It would challenge one of the core assumptions of modern physics: that dark energy is a stable, unchanging force. Right now, the leading model of dark energy is the cosmological constant, a number Einstein introduced in his equations over a century ago. But the new observations suggest that this constant might not be enough to explain what's really going on. A fresh, not-yet-peer-reviewed paper (The Lifespan of our Universe) from June proposes a more complex idea- that dark energy is made up of two components. The first is an axion- a strange, hypothetical particle so light and elusive that it hardly ever interacts with anything. Imagine these axions as a gentle energy mist, quietly stretching across the universe, fueling its current accelerated expansion. The second is the cosmological constant, but in this model, it's negative. Unlike a positive constant that pushes space outward, a negative one would pull it back. Right now, the axions are doing most of the expanding work. But as time passes, the axions are expected to fade. And when they do, the negative cosmological constant will start to dominate- slowing down the expansion, then reversing it. This would kickstart a dramatic new phase- the Big Crunch. Galaxies would crash into each other. Space would shrink. The universe would heat up and grow denser, spiraling into a final singularity, the opposite of the Big Bang. According to the theorists, the 'beginning of the end' will start in about 10 billion years, which is less than the current age of the universe. After that, it'll take another 10 billion years for everything to collapse. The universe, then, would have a total lifetime of around 33 billion years- meaning it's already past the halfway mark. Of course, this theory is still highly DES and DESI findings are early results. They'll need to be confirmed by future observations. And even if the cosmological constant turns out to be inaccurate, it doesn't automatically prove this two-part axion model is right. Still, it opens the door to new questions about the ultimate fate of everything we know. Until then, the universe keeps expanding—and we keep watching the skies.s (This article has been curated by Kaashvi Khubyani, who is an intern with The Indian Express.)
Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Motherhood, minus the filter: 4 candid books by Bollywood moms
(Written by Kaashvi Khubyani) In a world where motherhood is idealised, Bollywood moms are turning the pages. These celebrity authors have exchanged the red carpets with real talk, narrating their parenting journeys with honesty, wit and wisdom. From pregnancy cravings to postpartum transitions, their books offer a refreshing take on what it means to raise a child in the limelight while keeping it deeply personal. Here are some must-read books by Bollywood moms that go beyond the glamour and bring you closer to the emotional, physical, and mental rollercoaster of motherhood. By Kareena Kapoor Khan with Aditi Shah Bhimjyani Publication: Juggernaut Publication Available in: Paperback (392 pages)- Rs. 699 Kareena Kapoor's book is a trimester-by-trimester pregnancy guide co-authored with doctors and experts. From swollen feet to cravings and body image struggles, she keeps it real. With chapters on fitness, mental health, self-care, and mom guilt, Kareena makes space for both vulnerability and strength. In her work she discusses postpartum struggles- body changes, lack of sleep and breastfeeding. Backed by nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, she shared easy-to-follow diet tips emphasizing the importance of home cooked food. She also offered maternity style tips for moms-to-be while giving her own insights on how she styled her bump and stayed confident. With all the warmth and wit, this book encourages women to own their pregnancy their way. By Soha Ali Khan Publication: Penguin India (Penguin Random House India) Available in: Paperback (256 pages)- Rs. 299 Soha's essays offer glimpses into her life as a mother to daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu. Her reflections on balancing Nawabi legacy with modern-day parenting are subtle yet sharp. Her writing style is part sarcastic and part soulful which makes you laugh even as she gives gentle insights about motherhood. She touches on navigating 'new mom' insecurities- what to feed the baby, when to travel, what products to use- acknowledging how confusing motherhood can be. In her work, she appreciates how her husband Kunal Kemmu has been a hands- on father and highlights the importance of shared parenting responsibilities. The tone of the chapters is light-hearted yet insightful, filled with relatable anecdotes. By Tahira Kashyap Khurrana Publication: Juggernaut Publication Available in: Paperback (168 pages)- Rs. 299 Tahira, writer-filmmaker and wife of Ayushmann Khurrana, serves up a hilarious ride through the chaotic mess that is motherhood. Her book busts the myth of the 'perfect mom.' It's filled with deeply personal anecdotes that normalize mommy meltdowns, making you feel seen and safe. The book unpacks seven deadly sins- guilt, anger, envy, lust, pride, gluttony, sloth as candid chapters. She highlights the importance of self-love and individuality due to postpartum societal obsession like the pressure to shed baby weight. Sharing anecdotes, Tahira embraces her flaws with humor and warmth making the chapters feel relatable. With all the sarcasm and sass in her work, she provides a handbook for real motherhood. By Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Luke Coutinho Publication: Ebury Press Available in: Paperback (288 pages)- Rs. 350 Though not strictly a parenting book, Shilpa's co-authored work speaks to moms trying to maintain balance- for themselves and their children. With tips on Indian superfoods and natural eating, this book is about maintaining well-being. It also reflects how motherhood reshaped her own approach to diet, fitness and family health. Her book points at inculcating healthy food choices at a young age in so as they can stay for a lifetime. She advocates eating unprocessed foods- brown rice instead of white, homemade ghee and fresh juices. Shilpa's voice sound as relatable and grounded as she shares what she cooks at home, what her son eats and how food is an emotion in Indian households.
Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Solar eclipse to bring 6 minutes of darkness over parts of Earth on this date
On August 2, 2027, the skies over parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East are set to host a celestial show: a total solar eclipse of unusual duration. This isn't a regular eclipse, with totality extending up to a remarkable six minutes and 23 seconds, it promises to be one of the most significant celestial occurrences of the century. While total solar eclipses are mostly fascinating, the August 2027 event stands out for its exceptional length. Most total eclipses offer only a brief glimpse of the sun's corona, often for less than three minutes. However, according to the upcoming eclipse breaks this norm, making it the longest total solar eclipse visible from land between 1991 and 2114. This extended period of darkness will allow for rare observation and a truly immersive experience for those fortunate to be in its path. What precisely contributes to this unusual duration? The answer lies in a rare conjunction of astronomical factors. Reportedly, on August 2, 2027, Earth will be near aphelion, its farthest point from the Sun. This makes the Sun appear slightly smaller in our sky. Simultaneously, the Moon will be near perigee, its closest point to Earth, making it appear larger. The combination of a seemingly smaller Sun and a larger Moon results in a more extended period. Adding to this rare alignment, the eclipse's path will pass close to the equator. This is crucial because the Moon's shadow travels more slowly over the Earth's surface at lower latitudes. This reduced speed translates directly into a longer time spent under the Moon's complete shadow, amplifying the duration of totality. The eclipse's journey will commence over the Atlantic Ocean, casting its approximately 258-kilometre-wide shadow eastward. According to its path of totality will be across a diverse range of regions, offering viewing opportunities in: 📌Spain 📌Parts of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia 📌Sections of Libya and central Egypt 📌Sudan 📌Areas of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia Finally, the eclipse will exit over the Indian Ocean, passing by the Chagos Archipelago. For those planning to see this spectacle, regions like Libya and Egypt, known for their typically clear and dry August weather, are suggested locations for clear views. For residents and travellers in the way, the August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse is more than just an astronomical event; it's a rare experience. Its unique duration and the merging of factors contributing to it make it truly an unmissable opportunity for many. Whether you are a passionate astronomer or a curious sky-watcher, mark your calendars for August 2, 2027, a day when the world will momentarily dim for a moment, which will reveal the breathtaking beauty of a total solar eclipse. (This article has been curated by Kaashvi Khubyani, who is an intern with The Indian Express)
