Physics · Science General

Astronomy and Cosmology

4,450 Questions

This topic provides questions on astronomy, cosmology, and the physical universe. It covers subjects like the Hubble sequence, constellations, dark matter, and stellar evolution. These questions help build a strong foundation for general science exam sections.

Galaxies and clustersConstellations and starsStellar evolutionSpace observatories

Astronomy and Cosmology Questions

Multiple choice physics in the world of stars evolution and end stages of stars life cycle of stars stars

What is the range of star masses for high-mass stars? 

  1. between 500 and about 1,000 solar masses

  2. between 200 and about 500 solar masses

  3. between 8 and about 100 solar masses

  4. between 2 and about 10 solar masses
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Range of star masses for high-mass stars varies from about $8$ to $200$ solar masses.

Answer is $C$.

Multiple choice physics motion and measurement measuring length measurement of small and large distances measurement of distance

Two stars $S _1$ and $S _2$ are located at distances $d _1$ and $d _2$ respectively. Also if $d _1>d _2$ then which of the following statements is true?

  1. The parallax of $S _1$ and $S _2$ are same.
  2. The parallax of $S _1$ is twice as that of $S _2$.
  3. The parallax of $S _1$ is greater than parallax of $S _2$
  4. The parallax of $S _2$ is greater than parallax of $S _1$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

$Answer:-$ D

Parallax is a displacement or difference in the apparent position of an object viewed along two different lines of sight, and is measured by the angle or semi-angle of inclination between those two lines.Due to foreshortning, nearby objects have a larger parallax than more distant objects when observed from different positions, so parallax can be used to determine distances.

Hence parallax of $S _2$ is greater than that of $S _1$

Astronomersuse the principle of parallax to measure distances to the closer stars. Here, the term "parallax" is the semi-angle of inclination between two sight-lines to the star, as observed when the Earth is on opposite sides of the Sun in its orbit.

Multiple choice physics motion and measurement measuring length measurement of small and large distances measurement of distance

A star has a parallax angle p of 0.723 arcseconds. What is the distance of the star?

  1. 1.38 parsecs

  2. 2.38 parsecs

  3. 3.38 parsecs

  4. 4.38 parsecs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Relationship between a star's distance and its parallax angle:

$d=\dfrac{1}{p}$

The distance $d$ is measured in parsecs and the parallax angle $p$ is measured in arcseconds.

Hence, $d=\dfrac{1}{0.723}=1.38 parsecs$

Multiple choice geography constellations and galaxies constellation different constellations and galaxies milky way
Fill in the blanks:

In Ursa Major, _______ stars form the shape of the handle and ______ stars form the shape of the bowl of the ladle respectively.
  1. $4, 3$
  2. $5, 6$
  3. $3, 4$
  4. $2, 5$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The $7$ prominent stars of Ursa Major for the shape of a big ladle in which $3$ stars form the handle and the other $4$ form the bowl of the ladle.

Multiple choice geography constellations and galaxies constellation different constellations and galaxies milky way
Identify the wrong statement about Ursa major.

  1. It can be used to locate Pole star.

  2. It is seen during winter.

  3. It is also called the Big Dipper.

  4. It has 7 prominent stars.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Ursa Major can be used to locate the Pole star by extending an imaginary straight line towards the north from the last tow stars.

It is also known as the Big dipper and has 7 bright prominent stars which look like a question mark. 
It is seen during summer season and not during winter.

Multiple choice geography constellations and galaxies constellation different constellations and galaxies milky way

Leaving the 3 middle stars apart, which shape is formed by the remaining 4 bright starts of the Orion? 

  1. Circle

  2. Irregular circle

  3. Triangle

  4. Quadrilateral
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Out of the 7 or 8 bright stars of the Orion, 3 form a straight line in the middle resembling the belt of the hunter and the other four form or five form the quadrilateral.

Multiple choice geography constellations and galaxies constellation different constellations and galaxies milky way

Which of the following are true for Cassiopeia?

  1. It appears in the northern sky.

  2. It has 5 prominent stars

  3. It is visible during winter at late night

  4. It looks like a distorted letter W or M
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A,B,D Correct answer
Explanation

Cassiopeia has 5 prominent stars that shine brightly and appear like a distorted letter W or M. It is visible in the northern sky during winters early in the night.

Multiple choice geography constellations and galaxies constellation different constellations and galaxies milky way

Only few stars of a constellation are clearly visible through naked eyes because:

  1. those are the prominent ones

  2. those are close to the Earth while others are far away

  3. others are covered by clouds

  4. others are a myth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Many stars form the constellation but only few of them shine brightly and can be seen through naked eyes clearly. These are the prominent stars of the constellation and those help in locating the constellation.