Getting ready for 'The Grand Finale'

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

October 15th 1997, The Lord of the Rings- Saturn-had a friend coming. The rocket blasted off from the Earth carrying the Cassini orbiter and the Huygens probe. Saturn would have to wait for 7 long years until the duo reached. After a couple of fly-by to Venus, an Earth-Moon fly-by, cruising through the asteroid belt, the spacecraft reached Jupiter, in December 2000. 

It started it's journey towards Saturn, exploring and clicking along the way. It watched the rings, the massive Saturnian storms and discovered tiny moons too. 

In June 2004, it had its first Moon fly-by, it was the satellite Phoebe. Cassini passed within 2000 kilometers of this dark moon. It was revealed that Phoebe is a primordial object from the early outer solar system that was captured by Saturn in its orbit. Finally in July 2004, Cassini became the first spacecraft inserted successfully in Saturn's orbit. It had it's first encounter with the huge Moon Titan. It was here, the Huygens probe woke up from its hibernation and was detached to explore Titan. 

Huygens created history. It became the first, and till date, the only landing on any world in the outer solar system! Such exquisite details of Titan were revealed along with its geology which expanded our horizons vastly. 

And there, Cassini continued..

A year later, it had it's fly-by past Enceladus. 'A Big Surprise at a Small Moon' is what the scientists at JPL called it. The detailed imagery obtained showed a youthful yet complex terrain, free of impact craters, with unique tectonic features. Cassini detected a huge water vapour cloud and ice particles over its South polar region. This was surely exciting times for scientific community worldwide. 

March 2006, a revolutionary discovery was made. Cassini scientists announced evidence of liquid water reservoirs feeding the Enceladus plume (possibly in form of geysers?). During a close fly-by in 2008, Cassini's instruments sampled the plume directly, and found "a surprising brew of volatile gases, water vapour, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, as well as organic materials, some 20 times denser than expected! The 'tiger stripes' fractures near the south pole, and many such interesting and stunning data was gathered. There would probably be a separate mission to Enceladus to further explore.It had a close fly-by getting just 25 kilometres above its surface! Enceladus is active, in a very unique way. 

Enceladus. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

New rings of Saturn; Iapetus' odd dichotomy of surface; new moons; observing the moons Titan, Mimas, Rhea, Dione closely; finding evidence for a large scale saltwater reservoir beneath the icy crust of Enceladus; capturing Saturnian storms;  the Saturn north pole hexagon, and many more discoveries and observations added to Cassini's extraordinary achievements. 

It continued its journey as the mission was extended. In July 2014, scientists using the data identified atleast 101 distinct geysers on Enceladus.

Cassini has given us so much precious and breathtaking data about Saturn and its family, inspiring a new league of scientists. 

Well, good things come to an end. Cassini mission will begin a Grand finale on April 22nd 2017, of passing daringly with 22 loops, passing through Saturn and its innermost ring. This will be historic in itself, as it will explore a entirely new region around Saturn and come closer then ever before! With each passing day, going closer, it will make a final plunge in Saturn's atmosphere, in September 2017, be crushed and vaporized in the process. It would be a little less than 20 year old spacecraft, with a mission more than successfully accomplished. Cassini is definitely going in style.  

https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/grand-finale/overview/

An artist would be as delighted as a Scientist seeing the Cassini data. The rings so spectacular, Saturn so surreal. Each image in itself is a story. 

I am totally Love struck, Awe struck!

Cassini you will continue to inspire. 

https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/galleries/images/

https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/galleries/hall-of-fame/

**(All data, facts, statistics from JPL/NASA)

Brace for the Change

"Look deep into nature, you will understand everything better." ~ Einstein

At times, being old-school and conventional, we may resist to changes.

At times, we may not like it at all!

For me, the the only change I liked, was the seasons-from barren brown summer to green graceful monsoons.

Over the time, I did realize that eventually everything will change.

As they say, 'change is permanent'. 

The weather changes daily,

and People change faster than weather!

Buds bloom to flowers,

The moon is too phase-y,

The rivers change their course over Eras,

Even the birds molt their plumage.

The rocks metamorphose to be 'gneiss'.

So it seems by natural law itself,

everything is ever-changing and dynamic.

Which also means everything is alive, and growing.

May be it was the nature that taught me to accept changes- of people, of places, of attitude, of the journey itself, and a self-changing YOU.

You, transforming to be more determined, more amazing!

......It made me realize, without change........there would be no butterflies!

*P.S. Well, not all changes may be welcomed or comfortable, but remember, that will change too! Give Time, time. <3

Let's Talk

World Health Day April 7th 2017, Theme: Depression. #Let's Talk

WHO chose its theme as depression among reasons we all are aware of, yet not completely. While we have been hearing all our life about healthy body, we rarely hear how we should have a healthy mind too. As stated by WHO " Depression is a common illness worldwide, with more than 300 million people affected. Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life". It is also the leading cause of ill health worldwide. WHO categorizes Depression as mild, moderate or severe. "At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. Close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds" (WHO factsheet)

Some observations/facts/study that I could summarize:

- The  way we use the term depression these days, even colloquially is surprising. Depression IS NOT a mood swing phenomena. It is for real. The earlier we accept this, the better equipped we are to be empathetic and hear out someone. 

- Depression DOES NOT mean you are 'mad' nor does going to a counselor make you so.

- Depression is a common mental illness characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that people normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities.

- Sadness is only a small part of depression. Some people with depression may not feel sadness at all. Depression has many other symptoms, including physical ones. People with depression normally have several of the following:

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness

Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”

Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions

Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping

Appetite and/or weight changes

Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts

Restlessness, irritability

Persistent physical symptoms

(https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-what-you-need-to-know/index.shtml)

-WHO has identified strong links between depression and other noncommunicable disorders and diseases. Depression increases the risk of substance use disorders and diseases such as diabetes and heart disease; the opposite is also true, meaning that people with these other conditions have a higher risk of depression.

- Many factors may play a role in depression, including genetics, brain biology and chemistry, and life events such as trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, an early childhood experience, or any stressful situation.

- Depression can happen at any age, but often begins in the teens or early 20s or 30s. Most chronic mood and anxiety disorders in adults begin as high levels of anxiety in children. In fact, high levels of anxiety as a child could mean a higher risk of depression as an adult.

(https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-what-you-need-to-know/index.shtml) 

- Not everyone will experience the same symptoms, the severity and frequency differs from person to person. If can affect teens, older adults, children, women, men differently. 

-If you have depression, you are NOT alone.

-There ARE treatments for Depression.

Visit a Doctor who could guide you soon. Medications &/or psychotherapy help. 

What can we all do? 

Be a little more patient. Talk. Offer emotional support. Offer Hope. Never ignore what they say, especially if it is about self harm. 

I am no therapist, nor a doctor, being a student of counseling psychology, just spreading the awareness. In a world so competitive, fast, every-changing, it may be difficult to find a little bit of peace and trust. It may be difficult to find a little more time. It may be difficult to understand what other people 'feel' and would never say. Yet, we are in times when we can have anything, achieve any goal, do the impossible, connect anywhere. However, we are also in times when Depression is on the rise ever passing day, in every country. What may be the underlying causes? 

Let's Talk.

Colors of nature

Colors are the smiles of nature~Leigh Hunt

May your life be filled with

the green of the fresh monsoon grass......to soothe you,
the blue of the infinite sky......................to inspire you,
the sea green of the quiet lake................to calm you,
the red of sustaining soil.........................to recharge you with enthusiasm,
the tinges of red & orange of the Sun.......to keep the faith in you alive,
the silver lining of cirrus.........................to make you believe in yourself,
If this is not enough,
the spectrum of rainbow.........................to remind you sunshine & rain both are beautiful! 


Happy Holi :)

P.S.: With the water tables dwindling and monsoon showing erratic & sporadic behavior than ever; with millions battling for survival without enough water; can we really afford to waste gallons of water merely for fun & frolic?

I see Holi through colors of nature <3

Behind the curtains

I recently watched 'Hidden figures' movie (well, first day first show it was for movie buff me). I am in complete awe and inspiration. The subtle yet touching moments of the movie took my heart away. Nothing too dramatic but perfect. The actors are tremendous. But out of all the things that I loved about the movie the most compelling was the the implication behind the title itself. Hidden figures. 

First man to land on moon. Check we know. Neil Armstrong.

First American to orbit the Earth. Ohh we are too smart. John Glenn it is!

But these weren't the only 'firsts'. Behind them was a whole team of unbelievably talented and super humans. The ones we do not see photographs of in newspapers, or on social media. The ones we do not recall names of easily. The ones who remain secretly behind the curtains and control the stage. 

These are the heroes. We need more appreciation for them. We need to know their life story. 

On that note here, ISRO just launched 104 satellites in a single mission! No nation has achieved that yet. We see only a handful of scientists in the mission control room during the launch. Wonder how many 'hidden figures' behind this accomplishment-- a lot!

Cheers to such inspirational heroes and women. You give us a reason to believe in dreaming. And making them come true. 

A fair chance

"Sometimes you win,

sometimes you learn"

Life isn't supposed to give you what you want always.

Instead you have to make the most of what is handed to you.

However the situation may be, grey clouds or glitering sunshine.

Yet, here we are stubbornly making our own way, creating our beliefs

and trying to change the future, which is yet to come!

Here we are, fighting. Not with the world, rather with inner self.

Are we not too harsh with ourselves?

Don't we punish ourselves for not able to live the life we dreamed of?

We often try to find something to cling on and be happy

forgetting that 'something' cannot be found

we have to 'create' it!

Good days will come

Things will get better

and best will be rewarded

if there is enough passion.

But what if this zeal itself is a flickering candle?

Life is a game of light and shadows.

While light guides you, the shadow never leaves you. 

It is about being to adapt to darkness 

so you value light even more.

There are no guidelines

just one rule: Keep moving on

And one day will be yours. 

Life will give you one fair chance...

By the window side

The curry leaf plant seen from my window side has borne little red fruits this time. The result is that many birds frequently visit it all through the day. I just have to sit and watch them enjoy their tiny meals. 

Few of the birds are:
Asian Koel male
Asian Koel female
Oriental magpie robin
Bush chat
Ashy prinia
Oriental white eye 
Red vented bulbul
Purple sunbird
Sunbird female
Common Tailor bird
Fantail
Brahminy starling
Pale billed flower pecker
Coppersmith Barbet
Purple rumped sunbird
Indian black lored tit



Though all these are common to sight, it has been a treat to watch the behavior and eating habits of the birds. While the Koel will gulp the entire fruit, the oriental white is very selective in choosing the fruit, and just prefers the juice. :) It will also twist and bend itself to get a good one! Barbets come in pair, eat one berry and carry another one! 

Few photos of past few days of 'window birding'

Ashy prinia

Pied Bush chat

Sunbird female

Asian Koel female

Tailor bird

Fantail

Oriental white eye

Bushchat juvenille

Asian Koel male

Pale billed flower pecker

Greater Coucal

Tailor bird

Red whiskered bulbul

Scaly breasted Munia

Common Myna

Pale billed flower pecker

Indian black lored Tit

Indian black lored tit

Coppersmith Barbet