My Science School

I have many friends, but when I'm with them, they neglect me. They make me feel like I'm different and don't share things with me. I'm fed up and I feel as if I don't know who my real friends are.

It appears that you're feeling quite frustrated and confused not knowing if the group you hang out with are your real friends. When you are together, you feel neglected by them. Looks like you want them to pay more attention to you in the group, and this is not happening.

Good friendships are founded on mutual respect and trust, which has to be first given to be received in return. It cannot be demanded or commanded. Respecting others means listening to each other without cutting each other off mid-sentence, acknowledging that something is important to a particular person without ridiculing them; expressing an interest in knowing about each other's interests/likes; taking turns at being the centre of attention; avoiding back-biting, keeping each other's information confidential, and more.

Reflect on what makes you feel this way? How do you react or respond? Since only you can manage your own behaviour, also reflect on whether your actions have contributed in any way to your situation. Do you give others adequate respect, listen attentively and maintain confidentiality? Most importantly, do you respect yourself enough? If not, it would help to first change your behaviour. If you do, and they still don't care enough about you, then perhaps they aren't your real friends.

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I am a student of Std XII. I like a girl and she also likes me but whenever I propose to her she says that she only wants to be my friend. When I tell her that I love her, she says that it's just an attraction and not love.

You are quite attracted to this girl, and it is a great start if you both like each other.

Love is like chemistry and begins with attraction - one or both people might feel attracted - and a bond is formed. But for the bond to be lasting and to turn into real love, it needs the glue of friendship. So, do take the opportunity to be friends, for she wants to be your friend! And here is the paradox - act quickly to be friends but be slow and steady about "love" - for love needs time to deepen.

While you may not know whether the friendship will turn into a relationship, making friends is the surest way to find out. However, if one person is attracted to another, it doesn't mean that the other has to reciprocate. So, even after being friends, if she is not interested, respect it. Don't be disheartened for you still stand to gain a good friend. Focus on getting to know each other; enjoy discovering your similarities and differences and drop the pressure of 'proposing'.

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I am studying in Std IX. Earlier, I used to be good in studies, but nowadays I'm unable to concentrate. Whenever I sit down to study I start thinking about friends, parents and my future. I feel as if I cannot achieve anything in life. I have started to think negatively and my confidence level is down.

You sound quite despondent that you are distracted, have lost your motivation for studies, as well as your confidence. You're also worried about your future.

To feel motivated, first set a meaningful study goal - this can be a weekly or a daily goal. A daily goal can cover achieving three things that you decide to complete for that day. A weekly goal can be: ‘By the end of this week, I have mastered (score >80% on a test) all the topics that I decided to study this week.’ (List those topics), or 'I have clarified all doubts about the topics that have been taught this week.'

To get the zing back into studies, set a broad routine which includes beginning the day with some brain boosting exercise. Change the time, the place and the method of study! Study with focus in 25-minute slots where you silence all distractions - the quality of learning matters, not quantity! Reward yourself with a 5- to 10-minute break by doing something relaxing or which you like (except technology!). Then go back to another 25-minute slot. Four or five such slots should help you cover your study target for the day. Revise at regular intervals and solve papers.

Instead of you only zing and listening, get involved in doing something - create your own question papers, draw, make diagrams and notes. Use humour - you won't forget what you study! Teach a friend - this one is power packed.

And, when you get yourself on track, consult a career counsellor. Having a career goal will make your study goals even more meaningful. Do focus on the satisfaction you get when you achieve your daily goals.

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Centaurs are icy planetesimals located between Jupiter and Neptune. They cross the orbits of one or more of the giant planets in their journey around the Sun, and interactions with these outer planets cause the orbits of Centaurs to be inherently unstable.

No centaur has been photographed up close, although there is evidence that Saturn's moon Phoebe, imaged by the Cassini probe in 2004, may be a captured centaur that originated in the Kuiper belt. In addition, the Hubble Space Telescope has gleaned some information about the surface features of 8405 Asbolus.

Of the objects known to occupy centaur-like orbits, approximately 30 have been found to display comet-like dust comas, with three, 2060 Chiron, 60558 Echeclus, and 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1, having detectable levels of volatile production in orbits entirely beyond Jupiter.Chiron and Echeclus are therefore classified as both asteroids and comets, while Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 has always held a comet designation. Other centaurs, such as 52872 Okyrhoe, are suspected of having shown comas. Any centaur that is perturbed close enough to the Sun is expected to become a comet.

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In astronomy, a trojan is a small celestial body (mostly asteroids) that shares the orbit of a larger one, remaining in a stable orbit approximately 60° ahead or behind the main body near one of its Lagrangian points L4 and L5. Trojans can share the orbits of planets or of large moons.

In the Solar System, most known trojans share the orbit of Jupiter. They are divided into the Greek camp at L4 (ahead of Jupiter) and the Trojan camp at L5 (trailing Jupiter). More than a million Jupiter trojans larger than one kilometer are thought to exist, of which more than 7,000 are currently catalogued. In other planetary orbits only nine Mars trojans, 28 Neptune trojans, two Uranus trojans, and a single Earth trojan, have been found to date. A temporary Venus trojan is also known. Numerical orbital dynamics stability simulations indicate that Saturn and Uranus probably do not have any primordial trojans.

The same arrangement can appear when the primary object is a planet and the secondary is one of its moons, whereby much smaller trojan moons can share its orbit. All known trojan moons are part of the Saturn system. Telesto and Calypso are trojans of Tethys, and Helene and Polydeuces of Dione.

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The Voyager Golden Records are two phonograph records that were included aboard both Voyager spacecraft launched in 1977. The records contain sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth, and are intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life form who may find them. The records are a sort of time capsule.

The Voyager 1 probe is currently the farthest human-made object from Earth. Both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 have reached interstellar space, the region between stars where the galactic plasma is present. Like their predecessors Pioneer 10 and 11, which featured a simple plaque, both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were launched by NASA with a message aboard—a kind of time capsule, intended to communicate to extraterrestrials a story of the world of humans on Earth.

Voyager 1 was launched in 1977, passed the orbit of Pluto in 1990, and left the Solar System (in the sense of passing the termination shock) in November 2004. It is now in the Kuiper belt. In about 40,000 years, it and Voyager 2 will each come to within about 1.8 light-years of two separate stars: Voyager 1 will have approached star Gliese 445, located in the constellation Camelopardalis, and Voyager 2 will have approached star Ross 248, located in the constellation of Andromeda.

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A white hole is a bizarre cosmic object which is intensely bright, and from which matter gushes rather than disappears. In other words, it’s the exact opposite of a black hole. But unlike black holes, there’s no consensus about whether white holes exist, or how they’d be formed.

However, some theorists think that a combination of Einstein’s theory and quantum theory points to a new way of thinking about white holes. Instead of being the ‘exit’ from a wormhole, they may be a slow-motion replay of the formation of the original black hole.

The process starts when an old massive star collapses under its own weight and forms a black hole (see diagram, above). But then, quantum effects occurring around the surface of the black hole halt further collapse to a singularity, and instead begin to gradually turn the black hole into a white hole that’s spewing out the original star matter again. The process is mind-bendingly slow, though, so we may be in for a very long wait to find out if white holes really exist.

Credit : Science Focus

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Venus revolves or orbits around the Sun once every 0.615 Earth years, or once every 224.7 Earth days. Venus travels at an average speed of 78,341 miles per hour or 126,077 kilometers per hour in its orbit around the Sun.

The most likely explanations focus on fine particles, ice crystals, or even a chemical compound called iron chloride. Although it's much less likely, another possibility considered by scientists who study astrobiology is that these streaks could be made up of microbial life, Venus-style. Astrobiologists note that ring-shaped linkages of sulfur atoms, known to exist in Venus’ atmosphere, could provide microbes with a kind of coating that would protect them from sulfuric acid. These handy chemical cloaks would also absorb potentially damaging ultraviolet light and re-radiate it as visible light.

Some of the Russian Venera probes did, indeed, detect particles in Venus’ lower atmosphere about a micron in length – roughly the same size as a bacterium on Earth.

None of these findings provide compelling evidence for the existence of life in Venus’ clouds. But the questions they raise, along with Venus’ vanished ocean, its violently volcanic surface, and its hellish history, make a compelling case for a return to our temperamental sister planet. There is much, it would seem, that she can teach us.

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An inferior conjunction is when an object passes between us and the sun. Any object in space that orbits the sun closer than Earth’s orbit might pass through inferior conjunction from time to time, assuming its orbit lies more or less close to the ecliptic. Usually, though, when you hear the words inferior conjunction, astronomers are speaking of the planets Venus and Mercury, which orbit the sun inside Earth’s orbit. Astronomers sometimes refer to Venus and Mercury as inferior planets. When they’re at or near inferior conjunction, we can’t see them. They’re hidden in the sun’s glare. Occasionally, though, Venus or Mercury can be seen to transit across the sun’s disk at inferior conjunction. Consider also the moon. It passes between the Earth and sun at new moon once each month. Therefore, it would be correct, if a little weird, to say that the moon is at inferior conjunction when it’s at its new phase.

A superior conjunction is when an object passes behind the sun from our point of view. Think of Venus or Mercury again. Half of their conjunctions with the sun – when they are brought together with the sun on our sky’s dome – are inferior conjunctions, and half are superior conjunctions. It’s kind of fun to imagine them on an endless cycle of passing in front of the sun, as seen from Earth, then behind it, and back again, like watching squirrels running around a tree. Meanwhile, the superior planets – or planets farther from the sun than Earth such as Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune – can never be at inferior conjunction. They can never pass between us and the sun. Thus the superior planets only have superior conjunctions.

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I get angry very fast. I do not get angry with everyone but only with those who love me and care for me. I also love me and care for me. I also love them; yet, when I am annoyed. I say whatever comes to my mind and behave badly. Eventually, I do regret all that I have said and done but cannot bring myself to say “sorry”.

Looks like you’re feeling guilty, and regret that you get angry with those who love you. It is much easier to take out your anger on those who love you, for they won’t really retaliate and will forgive more easily. But that means you are taking them for granted.

Examine your anger: 1) Who are you really angry with? Is it those who love you? Or do you take out anger meant for others on those who love you because you can’t take it out directly on the others? 2) What makes you angry? For this, create a worksheet. Draw a blank iceberg. In the part above the water, write the word ‘Anger’ and in the bit below the water, write the incidents that trigger your anger and the feelings associated with these incidents, e.g., hurt, unfairness, and so on.

Manage your anger: Notice your anger warning signs… a pouncing heart? Faster breathing? Inability to think? Any other? When you’re angry, first acknowledge your angry feelings to yourself or to the person in front of you: ‘I’m feeling angry’. Then, use calming techniques. Some of these are: breathing slowly and deeply; getting up and walking; counting backwards from 10; blowing a bubble blower handy and blowing bubbles out of your window! Use humour – create a funny poem to remind you that you’re getting angry and need to cool down, e.g., ‘Oooh, I am a volcano about to erupt!’ or ‘I’m becoming an Angry Bird!’ Come up with your own calming techniques.

Apologise! Saying sorry seems hard because we feel ashamed or humiliated to be ‘always’ in the ‘wrong’, while others are ‘right’. But the benefits are huge. Saying the magic word, ‘Sorry’ will make you feel lighter happier and will improve the quality of your relationships. It will also make you think twice about being angry! And that is just what you want, right?

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I am studying in Std. XII. My elder brother scored very high marks in his HSC examinations and is now studying in a medical college. My percentage, compared to his, is far less. My parents scold me saying that I alone am responsible for my own success or failure in life. Every day I fight with my brother over the way I study. I am jealous of him and unhappy, too.

It is truly said that ‘Comparison kills joy’. Look at the unhappiness and guilt that comparison and jealousy has brought you. Your brother instead is your ready-made buddy @ home! Celebrate your differences and your similarities. Find things to do together and don’t lose out on the relationship, for ‘Appreciation brings joy’!

Assuming you’re in Class XII Science stream. You need to study for a minimum of 4 to 6 hours with focus. For this 1) Identify your ‘high energy’ hours and study at that time; 2) Use the 25-minute Pomodoro technique (look up the Internet); 3) Solve lots of papers; 4) Make notes; and 5) Repeat each topic at regular intervals.

Each person is unique, and so are you. So, take some quiet time out and identify and write down your talents, strengths, weaknesses, hopes, desires and your career goal. Your goal should be your own and net something you want to compete with your brother; to win your parents’ and his admiration. Knowing what you want will motivate you to achieve it and will give you satisfaction. Once you have decided ‘what’, look at the ‘how’, i.e. plan what you need to do to achieve this – in terms of qualifications, resources, and time. Then make every effort to achieve it and take responsibility for both the process and the outcome/result.

You can choose whether you want to succeed… or not. Choices have consequences. So, making a wise choice is about responsibility!

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I have feelings for a boy (my senior) but he doesn’t have any idea how I feel. I have never spoken to him. I know that he is not interested in me and would definitely say ‘no’ to me. He is also very stone-hearted. Even so, I cannot control my feelings. Whenever I see him I can only think of one thing – that I love him. I can’t share my problem with my parents because they don’t approve of a relationship at such a young age. I am mentally very upset and can’t concentrate on my studies.

Like the chaataka bird is said to be in love with the moon, which is unattainable, you seem to be yearning for someone who is unattainable at this moment, and this is making you emotionally distraught.

Love is when you individuals share a bond of friendship combined with attraction, and accept and commit to each other, with the intent of working on their relationship to keep it going. Romance is temporary and the initial attraction remains only if the foundation of friendship exists.

If you ‘have never spoken’ to this boy, how can love blossom? How would you know that ‘he would definitely say ‘no’? And how would you know that he is ‘stone-hearted’? If he is stone-hearted what attracts you to him? Without getting to know each other, it is not possible to say a true ‘yes’ to a relationship. So, first make friends with him, with no expectations of a relationship. This way, you won’t be upsetting your parents, and will also find out if he is the right guy.

At the same time, focus on your friendships and your career, develop your personality, hobbies, and play a sport/exercise. This way, you will have lots to look forward to instead of crying for the moon.

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I never liked going to school during my childhood because I was bullied. Now I am in Std X, there have been drastic changes in me. I am a good student academically, but very much an introvert. I have seen many fights in my home and experienced domestic violence due to which I have become very sensitive. My parents are always making fun of me about this. I want them to stop.

You have been through difficult circumstances which have a left you a changed person, who is deeply sensitive and introverted, and when your parents poke fun at you it hurts you the most.

Do ask your parents for time and sit and speak with them. Let them know that they are your support, and that you care for them, and that when they tease you, it hurts you a lot. Request them to stop, and instead support you. If this does not work, then express your own needs firmly, yet respectfully. Before doing so, acknowledge your own feelings – whether anger, hurt, helplessness – then respond instead of reacting.

You can request the other person(S) to stop by firmly saying ‘Stop’ or ‘Enough’ or by holding up your palm in the stop gesture, followed by: ‘I don’t appreciate you teasing me’. You can add: ‘I have the right to feel the way I do/I have a right to my feelings’. Whatever precise words you use, repeat the same words each time you ask them to stop teasing you till they get the message. If you wish, you can state the above, then walk away.

Another way is to wait till they have said what they want to and calmly say, “Have you finished teasing?” And then walk away. Or even by ignoring it. When the other person doesn’t get a reaction from you, they usually stop.

What is most important is that you accept yourself for who you are – a worthwhile person with your own inner beauty – even if you are introverted and sensitive by nature. Your introversion and sensitivity can be your strengths – perhaps you can be a better and more empathetic listener to others.

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A "blood moon" happens when Earth's moon is in a total lunar eclipse. While it has no special astronomical significance, the view in the sky is striking as the usually whiteish moon becomes red or ruddy-brown. 

The next blood moon will happen during the total lunar eclipse of May 26, 2021, which will be visible from parts of North America, Australia, the Pacific and Asia. As the full moon phase passes through Earth's shadow, viewers will be treated to a celestial sight that won't appear again until May of 2022.

How red the moon appears can depend on how much pollution, cloud cover or debris there is in the atmosphere. For example, if an eclipse takes place shortly after a volcanic eruption, the particles in the atmosphere will make the moon look darker than usual.

While there are planets and moons all over the solar system, only Earth is lucky enough to experience lunar eclipses because its shadow is just large enough to cover the moon completely. The moon is slowly drifting away from our planet (at roughly 1.6 inches or 4 centimeters a year) and this situation won't persist forever. There are roughly two to four lunar eclipses every year, according to NASA, and each one is visible over about half the Earth.

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A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are exactly or very closely aligned with Earth between the other two, and only on the night of a full moon. 

The Moon can also look reddish because Earth’s atmosphere absorbs the other colors while it bends some sunlight toward the Moon. Sunlight bending through the atmosphere and absorbing other colors is also why sunsets are orange and red.

During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon is shining from all the sunrises and sunsets occurring on Earth!

You might be wondering why we don’t have a lunar eclipse every month as the Moon orbits Earth. It’s true that the Moon goes around Earth every month, but it doesn’t always get in Earth’s shadow. The Moon’s path around Earth is tilted compared to Earth’s orbit around the Sun. The Moon can be behind Earth but still get hit by light from the Sun.

Because they don’t happen every month, a lunar eclipse is a special event. Unlike solar eclipses, lots of people get to see each lunar eclipse. If you live on the nighttime half of Earth when the eclipse happens, you’ll be able to see it.

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