Prelims Focus 9th October 2025
Supermoon
In News: Recently, there has been the observation of the Supermoon, otherwise known as the Harvest Moon.
- A supermoon is observed when a full moon or new moon occurs, accompanied by the nearest proximity to the earth of the moon in its elliptical path – termed as the perigee.
- Due to the fact that the orbit does not follow a perfect circle, the distance between the moon and the Earth fluctuates all over the month by close to 50,000 km.
- At the time when the moon is close to the perigee and also at the opposite side of the sun, the full moon is some 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than it is at its farthest distance. This is the supermoon.
- The human eye has always been fascinated by the supermoons and they have spawned folklore and spiritual practices in various civilisations.
- Supermoon is a term originally coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in the 1970s and is now a popular astronomical term as well as a popular media term.
Moscow Format Talks
In News: India, China, Pakistan participate in 10-nation Moscow Format talks, which admits Mr. Muttaqi as a full-fledged member of the first instance.
- The Moscow Format is a local diplomatic process, which is based on the establishment of a new format in 2017 to solve the Afghanistan conflict, to stabilize the situation, and to provide reconciliation on the national level.
- It is a platform where regional countries can coordinate to work on the Afghan peace and stability.
- Its members include India, Afghanistan, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
E-Cigarettes
In News: The World Health Organization’s first global estimate reveals that over 15 million teens aged 13 to 15 use e-cigarettes worldwide. Teens are nine times more likely to vape than adults, fueling a new wave of nicotine addiction despite declining tobacco use. This surge raises concerns about youth health and the risk of reversing decades of progress against smoking.
About E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes, or vapes, are battery-operated devices that deliver nicotine and flavorings as an aerosol, often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking. Their use has surged globally, with more than 100 million users worldwide, including at least 15 million teenagers aged 13 to 15.
Impact of E-cigarettes
- Youth Addiction: Teens are nine times more likely to vape than adults, fueling a new wave of nicotine addiction that threatens to reverse years of tobacco control progress.
- Health Concerns: While some studies suggest e-cigarettes may help smokers quit, long-term health effects remain uncertain, and vaping poses risks due to nicotine and harmful chemicals.
- Tobacco Industry Shift: As tobacco use declines globally, the industry promotes e-cigarettes to compensate for reduced cigarette sales, aggressively targeting young people through marketing.
- Regulatory Challenges: Many countries lack strong policies to control youth access and advertising of e-cigarettes, complicating public health efforts.
- Public Health Warning: WHO cautions that e-cigarettes jeopardize decades of progress in combating nicotine addiction by hooking youngsters early.
Wildfire Smoke
In News: Nearly 70,000 Americans are projected to die annually from wildfire smoke by 2050, a rise of about 30,000 deaths from current levels. Climate change is intensifying wildfires, spreading toxic fine particles (PM2.5) that cause respiratory and heart-related illnesses.
About Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of hazardous air pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and toxic chemicals released during fires. It severely degrades air quality, especially in areas downwind of wildfires. With climate change causing more frequent and intense wildfires, smoke exposure has become a significant public health concern globally.
Impact of Wildfire Smoke
- Health Effects: Exposure to PM2.5 in wildfire smoke increases risks of respiratory illnesses (asthma, COPD, pneumonia), cardiovascular diseases, and premature deaths. Vulnerable groups include children, elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions.
- Hospitalizations: Increases in emergency visits and hospital admissions for lung and heart diseases are strongly linked to wildfire smoke exposure.
- Long-Term Risks: Prolonged exposure to wildfire PM2.5 is associated with higher mortality rates from heart disease, diabetes, mental health issues, and kidney diseases.
- Environmental & Social Impact: Wildfires and their smoke disrupt daily life, damaging infrastructure, livelihoods, and contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Economic Burden: Healthcare costs rise due to increased medical care from smoke-related illnesses, alongside losses in productivity.
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