India's first lunar probe – the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft – which was considered lost, is still orbiting the Moon, NASA scientists have found by using a new ground-based radar technique.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) lost communication with Chandrayaan-1 on August 29, 2009, almost a year after it was launched on October 22, 2008.

Now, scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California have successfully located the spacecraft still circling some 200 kilometres above the lunar surface.

"We have been able to detect NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft in lunar orbit with ground-based radar," said Marina Brozovic, a radar scientist at JPL and principal investigator for the test project.

"Finding LRO was relatively easy, as we were working with the mission's navigators and had precise orbit data where it was located. Finding India's Chandrayaan-1 required a bit more detective work because the last contact with the spacecraft was in August of 2009," said Brozovic.

The Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft is very small, a cube about 1.5 meters on each side – about half the size of a smart car.

Although the interplanetary radar has been used to observe small asteroids several million miles from Earth, researchers were not certain that an object of this smaller size as far away as the Moon could be detected, even with the world's most powerful radars.

Chandrayaan-1 proved the perfect target for demonstrating the capability of this technique.

To find a spacecraft 380,000 kilometres away, JPL's team used NASA's 70-metre antenna at NASA's Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California to send out a powerful beam of microwaves directed towards the Moon.

Then the radar echoes bounced back from lunar orbit were received by the 100-meter Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia.

Finding a derelict spacecraft at lunar distance that has not been tracked for years is tricky because the Moon is riddled with mascons (regions with higher-than-average gravitational pull) that can dramatically affect a spacecraft's orbit over time, and even cause it to have crashed into the Moon.

JPL's orbital calculations indicated that Chandrayaan-1 is still circling some 200 kilometres above the lunar surface, but it was generally considered "lost." 

However, with Chandrayaan-1, the radar team utilised the fact that this spacecraft is in polar orbit around the Moon, so it would always cross above the lunar poles on each orbit.

On July 2 last year, the team pointed Goldstone and Green Bank at a location about 160 kilometres above the Moon's north pole and waited to see if the lost spacecraft crossed the radar beam.

India's first lunar probe – the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft – which was considered lost, is still orbiting the Moon, NASA scientists have found by using a new ground-based radar technique.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) lost communication with Chandrayaan-1 on August 29, 2009, almost a year after it was launched on October 22, 2008.

Now, scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California have successfully located the spacecraft still circling some 200 kilometres above the lunar surface.

"We have been able to detect NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft in lunar orbit with ground-based radar," said Marina Brozovic, a radar scientist at JPL and principal investigator for the test project.

"Finding LRO was relatively easy, as we were working with the mission's navigators and had precise orbit data where it was located. Finding India's Chandrayaan-1 required a bit more detective work because the last contact with the spacecraft was in August of 2009," said Brozovic.

The Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft is very small, a cube about 1.5 meters on each side – about half the size of a smart car.

Although the interplanetary radar has been used to observe small asteroids several million miles from Earth, researchers were not certain that an object of this smaller size as far away as the Moon could be detected, even with the world's most powerful radars.

Chandrayaan-1 proved the perfect target for demonstrating the capability of this technique.

To find a spacecraft 380,000 kilometres away, JPL's team used NASA's 70-metre antenna at NASA's Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California to send out a powerful beam of microwaves directed towards the Moon.

Then the radar echoes bounced back from lunar orbit were received by the 100-meter Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia.

Finding a derelict spacecraft at lunar distance that has not been tracked for years is tricky because the Moon is riddled with mascons (regions with higher-than-average gravitational pull) that can dramatically affect a spacecraft's orbit over time, and even cause it to have crashed into the Moon.

JPL's orbital calculations indicated that Chandrayaan-1 is still circling some 200 kilometres above the lunar surface, but it was generally considered "lost." 

However, with Chandrayaan-1, the radar team utilised the fact that this spacecraft is in polar orbit around the Moon, so it would always cross above the lunar poles on each orbit.

On July 2 last year, the team pointed Goldstone and Green Bank at a location about 160 kilometres above the Moon's north pole and waited to see if the lost spacecraft crossed the radar beam.

The focus in Goa on Saturday will be on whether the BJP will be able to retain power and if it gets a fresh mandate, will Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar return to his home state as chief minister.

The main fight for the 40-member Assembly, which went to polls on February 4 and recorded an impressive turnout of 83 per cent, is between the BJP and the Congress.

The Aam Admi Party also made a serious bid this time round, contesting a majority of seats.

The BJP fielded candidates in 36 constituencies and supported Independents in the remaining seats.

The BJP's poll campaign was led by Parrikar, which fuelled speculation that he may be chosen as chief minister if the the party returns to power in the state.

Incumbent Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar is also in the fray.

Though the BJP leadership has not come out with an official statement on the leadership issue, some senior party leaders said during campaigning that the chief ministerial nominee would be chosen by the elected legislators.

The Congress, the main opposition in the state, has fielded its nominees in 37 seats and backed the candidates of the United Goan, Goa Forward and an Independent in the rest.

The outcome will also decide the fate of the alliance between Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) and the Shiv Sena.

The MGP, one of the oldest regional outfits, broke alliance with the BJP before the elections, while the GSM was floated by RSS rebel Subhash Velingkar.

The combine, according to political analysts, could harm the BJP more than the Congress and the NCP.

A new entrant to the electoral scene in the coastal state, the AAP has contested in 39 seats and the leaders who campaigned for the party included Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Keenly watched constituencies in the state include Mandrem in North Goa from where Parsekar is seeking re-election and Panaji, which was represented by Parrikar before he moved to the Centre.

In 2012, the BJP had come to power in Goa with 21 seats, The Congress had got 9 seats, MGP 3, Goa Vikas Party 2 and Independents 5.

The focus in Goa on Saturday will be on whether the BJP will be able to retain power and if it gets a fresh mandate, will Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar return to his home state as chief minister.

The main fight for the 40-member Assembly, which went to polls on February 4 and recorded an impressive turnout of 83 per cent, is between the BJP and the Congress.

The Aam Admi Party also made a serious bid this time round, contesting a majority of seats.

The BJP fielded candidates in 36 constituencies and supported Independents in the remaining seats.

The BJP's poll campaign was led by Parrikar, which fuelled speculation that he may be chosen as chief minister if the the party returns to power in the state.

Incumbent Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar is also in the fray.

Though the BJP leadership has not come out with an official statement on the leadership issue, some senior party leaders said during campaigning that the chief ministerial nominee would be chosen by the elected legislators.

The Congress, the main opposition in the state, has fielded its nominees in 37 seats and backed the candidates of the United Goan, Goa Forward and an Independent in the rest.

The outcome will also decide the fate of the alliance between Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) and the Shiv Sena.

The MGP, one of the oldest regional outfits, broke alliance with the BJP before the elections, while the GSM was floated by RSS rebel Subhash Velingkar.

The combine, according to political analysts, could harm the BJP more than the Congress and the NCP.

A new entrant to the electoral scene in the coastal state, the AAP has contested in 39 seats and the leaders who campaigned for the party included Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Keenly watched constituencies in the state include Mandrem in North Goa from where Parsekar is seeking re-election and Panaji, which was represented by Parrikar before he moved to the Centre.

In 2012, the BJP had come to power in Goa with 21 seats, The Congress had got 9 seats, MGP 3, Goa Vikas Party 2 and Independents 5.

Joe Manganiello says his character in the upcoming 'Batman' film has great potential of becoming a memorable villain.

The 40-year-old actor, who will play Deathstroke in the film starring Ben Affleck in the titular role, hopes the fans will like his performance as the antagonist, reported FemaleFirst.

"This is my character, an exciting one, and has the capacity I think, to be a great villain." 

"And what all the great ones can do is polarise an audience. When I was a kid I always rooted for the villain. As a kid, I think I would have rooted for him and I think fans will," says Manganiello.

Joe Manganiello says his character in the upcoming 'Batman' film has great potential of becoming a memorable villain.

The 40-year-old actor, who will play Deathstroke in the film starring Ben Affleck in the titular role, hopes the fans will like his performance as the antagonist, reported FemaleFirst.

"This is my character, an exciting one, and has the capacity I think, to be a great villain." 

"And what all the great ones can do is polarise an audience. When I was a kid I always rooted for the villain. As a kid, I think I would have rooted for him and I think fans will," says Manganiello.

The Lok Sabha on Friday witnessed a verbal clash after the opposition members accused the government of burdening the poor by hiking prices of oil products, especially non-subsidised cooking gas cylinders.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, while responding to the issue raised by Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge, accused him of "misleading" the House.

Terming the increase of Rs.86 for each non-subsidised LPG cylinder as a "small hike", he said only 1.1 crore people, out of the total of 91.7 crore people having LPG connections, will pay the increased price and the poor were not affected by it.

Members of the Congress and the Trinamool Congress later staged a walk-out, protesting the government's stand.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Kharge said the hike of Rs 86 in the non-subsidised cylinders on March 1 was the highest ever.

He said Modi government's tenure has been marked by a rise in prices of essential items.

"Its price in 2016 was Rs 467 and it has been hiked by six times since. It is Rs 737 today. It goes on to show how much burden this government is putting on the poor. The Modi government claims having given facilities to the poor but statistics tell a different picture," he said.

In 2012, the crude oil price in the international market was USD 122 per barrel and the LPG cylinder sold at Rs 345 while petrol and diesel cost Rs 58 and 37, respectively, Kharge said.

In 2016, when the crude oil price was $33, an LPG cylinder cost Rs 513 and petrol and diesel Rs 56 and Rs 46, respectively, he said.

N K Premachandran (RSP) said the hike of Rs 271 for an LPG cylinder was "unheard of" and accused the government of not passing on the benefits of the fall in international oil price to the consumers.

Some other opposition members supported them.

K C Venugopal (Cong) said the government had cheated over 1 crore people who had reportedly given up their LPG subsidy.

Rebutting the opposition's charge, Kumar said over 1.1 crore consumers have voluntarily given up their LPG subsidies on the Prime Minister's "appeal" and the rest of the total 91.7 crore consumers have not been affected by the hike.

"There has been no cut in subsidy to the poor," he said, adding the government is giving subsidy of Rs 13127 crore.

He termed the increase of Rs 86 per cylinder a "small hike", noting that the oil price in international market had gone up from 471 USD per Metric Tonn to $564.

Targeting Kharge, he said, "You are a senior member. You should keep the facts as they are and not mislead the House."

He said Kharge had happily forgotten that the UPA government in 2010 had decided to hike the LPG cylinder price by Rs 2 every month.

He added that the government has provided LPG connections to over 2 crore poor households in the last two years under the 'Ujjwala yojna'.

B Mahtab (BJD) asked the government to agree to a debate on the issue under Rule 193, which does not allow voting.

BJP member and former Home Secretary R K Singh objected to Kharge's use of the term "Modi government", arguing that it is the government of India.

Kharge retorted saying that the Prime Minister himself uses the phrase and hardly says even BJP government.

The Lok Sabha on Friday witnessed a verbal clash after the opposition members accused the government of burdening the poor by hiking prices of oil products, especially non-subsidised cooking gas cylinders.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, while responding to the issue raised by Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge, accused him of "misleading" the House.

Terming the increase of Rs.86 for each non-subsidised LPG cylinder as a "small hike", he said only 1.1 crore people, out of the total of 91.7 crore people having LPG connections, will pay the increased price and the poor were not affected by it.

Members of the Congress and the Trinamool Congress later staged a walk-out, protesting the government's stand.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Kharge said the hike of Rs 86 in the non-subsidised cylinders on March 1 was the highest ever.

He said Modi government's tenure has been marked by a rise in prices of essential items.

"Its price in 2016 was Rs 467 and it has been hiked by six times since. It is Rs 737 today. It goes on to show how much burden this government is putting on the poor. The Modi government claims having given facilities to the poor but statistics tell a different picture," he said.

In 2012, the crude oil price in the international market was USD 122 per barrel and the LPG cylinder sold at Rs 345 while petrol and diesel cost Rs 58 and 37, respectively, Kharge said.

In 2016, when the crude oil price was $33, an LPG cylinder cost Rs 513 and petrol and diesel Rs 56 and Rs 46, respectively, he said.

N K Premachandran (RSP) said the hike of Rs 271 for an LPG cylinder was "unheard of" and accused the government of not passing on the benefits of the fall in international oil price to the consumers.

Some other opposition members supported them.

K C Venugopal (Cong) said the government had cheated over 1 crore people who had reportedly given up their LPG subsidy.

Rebutting the opposition's charge, Kumar said over 1.1 crore consumers have voluntarily given up their LPG subsidies on the Prime Minister's "appeal" and the rest of the total 91.7 crore consumers have not been affected by the hike.

"There has been no cut in subsidy to the poor," he said, adding the government is giving subsidy of Rs 13127 crore.

He termed the increase of Rs 86 per cylinder a "small hike", noting that the oil price in international market had gone up from 471 USD per Metric Tonn to $564.

Targeting Kharge, he said, "You are a senior member. You should keep the facts as they are and not mislead the House."

He said Kharge had happily forgotten that the UPA government in 2010 had decided to hike the LPG cylinder price by Rs 2 every month.

He added that the government has provided LPG connections to over 2 crore poor households in the last two years under the 'Ujjwala yojna'.

B Mahtab (BJD) asked the government to agree to a debate on the issue under Rule 193, which does not allow voting.

BJP member and former Home Secretary R K Singh objected to Kharge's use of the term "Modi government", arguing that it is the government of India.

Kharge retorted saying that the Prime Minister himself uses the phrase and hardly says even BJP government.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said that the President Pranab Mukherjee, had expressed the desire to adopt 50 more villages in the state to develop them as smart villages.

Speaking on the concluding day of the Budget session of the Vidhan Sabha, he said the President had earlier adopted five villages in Haryana–Alipur, Daula, Harchandpur and Tajnagar in Gurgaon district, and Rozkameo in Mewat district–to develop them as smart villages in July, 2016. New initiatives in the field of health, skill development, infrastructure and agriculture have been taken in these five villages.

The CM said that the 50 new villages to be adopted were located within  5 km radius of those adopted earlier. These are Ghamdoz, Raiseena, Dhunaila, Hariyaheda, Garhi Bazidpur, Mohammadpur Gujjar, Mahendwada, Sanpki Nagli, Sohna rural located in 5 km radius of Alipur village.

The CM, on his own and on behalf of the House, expressed gratitude towards the President for expressing the desire to adopt these villages in Haryana.

Referring to the Vidhayak Adarsh Gram Yojna, the CM said that Rs.50 lakh per annum would be given for development of villages having a population less than 5,000 and Rs.1 crore per year to those having a population of between 5,000 and 10,000. In case the population of a village exceeds 10,000, the financial assistance would be Rs.2 Crore every year.

This amount would be continued up to 2019. Every member of the House can adopt another village for the next year under the scheme.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said that the President Pranab Mukherjee, had expressed the desire to adopt 50 more villages in the state to develop them as smart villages.

Speaking on the concluding day of the Budget session of the Vidhan Sabha, he said the President had earlier adopted five villages in Haryana–Alipur, Daula, Harchandpur and Tajnagar in Gurgaon district, and Rozkameo in Mewat district–to develop them as smart villages in July, 2016. New initiatives in the field of health, skill development, infrastructure and agriculture have been taken in these five villages.

The CM said that the 50 new villages to be adopted were located within  5 km radius of those adopted earlier. These are Ghamdoz, Raiseena, Dhunaila, Hariyaheda, Garhi Bazidpur, Mohammadpur Gujjar, Mahendwada, Sanpki Nagli, Sohna rural located in 5 km radius of Alipur village.

The CM, on his own and on behalf of the House, expressed gratitude towards the President for expressing the desire to adopt these villages in Haryana.

Referring to the Vidhayak Adarsh Gram Yojna, the CM said that Rs.50 lakh per annum would be given for development of villages having a population less than 5,000 and Rs.1 crore per year to those having a population of between 5,000 and 10,000. In case the population of a village exceeds 10,000, the financial assistance would be Rs.2 Crore every year.

This amount would be continued up to 2019. Every member of the House can adopt another village for the next year under the scheme.

Justice CS Karnan of the Calcutta High Court on Friday said the Supreme Court-issued bailable warrant against him in a contempt case was unconstitutional and called it a caste issue.

"The bailable warrant was issued on Friday … will be stayed. They have no locus standi to issue a warrant against me. It is unconstitutional," Karnan has been quoted as saying to the media.

He said the he was targeted deliberately because he was a Dalit and that the order was aimed at preventing him from working in a public office.

"It is a caste issue, a Dalit judge prevented from doing work in a public office. That is atrocity," he said.

He alleged that he was being targeted after he made representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about a few judges who had committed illegal activities.

In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court on Friday issued a bailable warrant against Karnan for failing to appear in contempt case against him.

A seven-Judge Bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar and Judges Dipak Misra, J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur, Pinaki Chandra Ghose, Kurian Joseph passed this order this morning.

Earlier, Calcutta High Court's controversial judge did not appear before the apex court which had sought his physical presence to show cause as to why suo motu contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him

The top court had issued a contempt notice to a Justice Karnan for writing letters casting aspersions on several judges.

Justice CS Karnan of the Calcutta High Court on Friday said the Supreme Court-issued bailable warrant against him in a contempt case was unconstitutional and called it a caste issue.

"The bailable warrant was issued on Friday … will be stayed. They have no locus standi to issue a warrant against me. It is unconstitutional," Karnan has been quoted as saying to the media.

He said the he was targeted deliberately because he was a Dalit and that the order was aimed at preventing him from working in a public office.

"It is a caste issue, a Dalit judge prevented from doing work in a public office. That is atrocity," he said.

He alleged that he was being targeted after he made representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about a few judges who had committed illegal activities.

In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court on Friday issued a bailable warrant against Karnan for failing to appear in contempt case against him.

A seven-Judge Bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar and Judges Dipak Misra, J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur, Pinaki Chandra Ghose, Kurian Joseph passed this order this morning.

Earlier, Calcutta High Court's controversial judge did not appear before the apex court which had sought his physical presence to show cause as to why suo motu contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him

The top court had issued a contempt notice to a Justice Karnan for writing letters casting aspersions on several judges.

Vikramaditya Motwane, whose directorial 'Trapped' became the first survival drama, overcame his fear of rats during its shoot.

The film showcases Rajkummar Rao trapped inside a house endlessly for days, without food, water and electricity. 

For one particular scene in the film, Rajkumar Rao had to shoot with insects and rats. It was more challenging for Vikram to shoot as the director is himself scared of rats.

The film maker has left no stone unturned in delivering away finest scenes, the film that has been screened at several film festivals has been applauded and also revived standing ovation!

'Trapped,' a Phantom Production and directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, is slated to release on March 17.

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a PIL seeking an SIT probe into the role of media in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam case, saying it is an "attack" on media's independence.

"We will not direct any investigation against the media unless there is a direct involvement," a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said, while rejecting the PIL filed by veteran journalist Hari Jaisingh.

It seems there is a disguised attempt to curtail independence and freedom of media, the bench said, adding "this is an attack on media. We will not entertain this." 

"We cannot curtail the right of the media in this manner.

Media has been given an independent status in our democratic polity. Why should we entertain this," said the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and Mohan M Shantanagoudar.

The court, however, clarified that if the investigative agencies come across evidence with regard to involvement of certain individuals then they are free to probe.

However, there cannot be an investigation into the role of media as a whole, it said.

Senior advocate Geeta Luthra, appearing for Singh, alleged that some members of the media where bribed by the offshore chopper firm to influence the decision making authority in favour of the VVIP helicopter deal.

"I am seeking a direction to the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to also investigate the role of media persons in the case," she said.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, sought dimissal of the plea at the threshold saying how can there be an investigation into the role of media when there is an allegation that two persons entered into the "media management agreement".

Considering the arguments, the bench asked, "Is this agreement registered. What is the admissibility of the agreement as evidence." 

"Freedom of media is going to be curtailed and smothered…. We will not entertain this." 

The journalist in his PIL alleged that some media persons were bribed and extended unwarranted benefits in exchange for favouring the VVIP chopper deal.

It was also alleged that certain journalist were sent to Italy along with their families by the company in question.

Students appearing for Class X board exams from next year will have to study six subjects instead of five with the CBSE remodelling its assessment scheme.

Class X students have to presently study five subjects — two languages, social science, mathematics and science.

Students also have a choice of studying a vocational subject as an "additional" course.

However, from the 2017-18 academic year, it will be compulsory to study a vocational subject.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has remodelled its assessment scheme for Class X Board examination for schools offering vocational subject as compulsory subject under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).

"If a candidate fails to pass in any one of the three elective subjects — science, social science, mathematics, then it will be replaced by the vocational subject (offered as sixth additional subject)," a CBSE circular said.

"The board exam result will be computed accordingly.

However, if a candidate desires to reappear for the failed subject they can appear in the compartment examination," it added.

Students will have 13 options to choose from for the sixth subject — Dynamics of Retailing, Information Technology, Security, Automobile Technology, Introduction to Financial Market, Introduction to Tourism, Beauty and Wellness, Basic Agriculture, Food Production, Front Office Operations, Banking and Insurance, Marketing and Sales, and Health Care Services.

According to the circular, the maximum marks will be 100.

Out of the total 100 marks, the board exam will be of 50 marks, and 50 marks are allocated to internal assessment/practical examination.

A candidate will have to score 33 per cent marks in both board exam and practical exam to pass the subject.

In another major decision, the CBSE has decided to do away with seven Academic Electives and 34 vocational subjects for Class XII because of low enrolment numbers.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday took a dig at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, saying his hints at tying up with the BSP if the poll results throw up a hung assembly is like "conceding defeat" even before the counting.

"Counting se pehle hee haar maan liya (he has conceded defeat even before counting). What should I say on this?" Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home, said when his comment was sought on the Samajwadi Party president's remark.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 48th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) here, which he attended as the chief guest.

Akhilesh had yesterday not ruled out a post-poll tie-up with the BSP to prevent the BJP from coming to power in the state.

"I will not yet speak about alliance. The Samajwadi Party and Congress will get enough seats to form the government.

"However, as I have always referred to the BSP chief as a relative, it is natural for people to think we might take their help or might go with them…but it is difficult to say this as of now," Akhilesh had said.

Rijiju also disapproved of Congress leader Digvijay Singh's statement that the "injustice" meted out to Indian Muslims makes terror outfits attractive to them.

"By saying so, he is alienating them further," Rijiju said, adding Singh should not have made such a statement.

The minister, during the event, called the CISF a "multi-dimensional and professional" force which is a "symbol of pride" for the country.

 The first pictures from "Thor: Ragnarok" have arrived and it gives a sneak-peek at the key characters – Chris Hemsworth as the titular God of Thunder, Cate Blanchett as Goddess of Death or Hela and Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie.

Thor is very different in this film as his long locks and hammer Mjolnir are gone.

He is now wielding a pair of swords instead.

"It was nice not to have to sit in the makeup chair for that hour each morning," the actor says. "It felt like a rebirth for me as the actor but also as the character." 

Hela comes out of her prison and is out for blood in this third movie.

"She's been locked away for millennia getting more and more cross, and then, with a mistake, she gets unleashed and she ain't getting back in that box," explains the actress who learned Brazilian martial art capoeira for the role.

The vengeful queen attacks Thor and sends him to a desolate planet called Sakaar as a gladiator.

"(Sakaar is) basically where every wormhole across the universe dumps out its trash, so you get people from all walks of life with all sorts of incredible abilities and powers," Hemsworth says.

"No one cares what prince or king Thor may have been in another world. Also, his strength is pretty easily matched with those he finds himself amongst," he adds.

In his exile, Thor is forced to face off a familiar face, The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).

There is also a first look at Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster.

The Elder wears a colorful gold-blue-red outfit for his first appearance in the Marvel Universe.

The movie slated for November 3. Tom Hiddleston is back as Loki, Idris Elba as Heimdall, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin. It's directed by Taika Waititi.