News in Short:

OSIRIS-REx:

• Aim:  To study a near-Earth asteroid. 
• It is NASA’s third New Frontiers science mission and is led by the University of Arizona and managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

 Bennu:

• Bennu is a carbon-rich asteroid that could hold clues about the development of the solar system.

• The green hydrogen-powered buses emit just water.
•  Green hydrogen is 100% sustainable and does not emit polluting gases during combustion or production. 

Hydrogen Fuel Cell:

• A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of hydrogen into electricity. 

• The first C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft was inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

About C-295 aircraft: s

• The aircraft also has the special capability of Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) as it can lift even from grass, soft or unpaved surfaces. 
• The C-295 can also be used for mid-air refuelling of fixed wing aircrafts and helicopters.
• The aircraft is capable of performing special missions as well as disaster response and maritime patrol duties.

• The Supreme Court agreed to examine a series of petitions alleging that the Tamil Nadu government is attempting to appoint “non-believers” as archakas (priests), contrary to the age-old Agamas governing temples in the State.

Agamas: 

• The Agamas are a body of ancient Indian texts dealing with all rituals and ceremonies to be observed in temples. 
• They deal with rules as to how each iconic representation of divinity (archa murthy) is to be conceived, constructed and worshipped.
• On identification of the temples constructed as per particular Agamas, the appointment of Archakas (priests) is governed accordingly.

Agamic Literature: 

• There are three main branches of the agamas – 
  • Saivagamas (who worship Lord Shiva)
  • Saktagamas (worship Goddess)
  • Vaisnava Agama (worship Lord Vishnu)