Physics · Science General

Astronomy and Cosmology

4,498 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 sky vision types of galaxies galaxies constellations

The nearest galaxy to the Milky Way is _________.

  1. Fornax galaxy

  2. Samprero galaxy

  3. Andromeda galaxy

  4. Pinwheel galaxy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Andromeda Galaxy is the nearest major spiral galaxy to our own Milky Way galaxy.

Multiple choice physics sky vision types of galaxies galaxies constellations

The stars in space are _________________.

  1. uniformly spread out.

  2. distributed completely at random

  3. mostly contained within widely separated galaxies

  4. chiefly in the Milky Way
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Stars are not scattered randomly through space they are gathered together into vast groups also known as galaxies.

Answer is $C$

Multiple choice physics sky vision types of galaxies galaxies constellations

The Milky Way is ________________.

  1. a gas cloud in the solar system

  2. a gas cloud in the galaxy of which the sun is a member

  3. the galaxy of which the sun is a member

  4. a nearby galaxy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Milky way is the galaxy which contains as our solar system hence it also contains sun.

Answer is $C$

Multiple choice physics sky vision types of galaxies galaxies constellations

Milky Way galaxy is in cluster of galaxies which is also known as:

  1. local group

  2. big bang group

  3. temperate group

  4. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The milk way galaxy cluster is also known as the local supercluster as local group.


Multiple choice physics sky vision types of galaxies galaxies constellations

The visible light spectrum of a typical star like our Sun shows:

  1. bright emission lines

  2. shows all of the other answers depending on the season on Earth

  3. no spectral lines at all

  4. dark absorption lines
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

They show dark absorption light which tells us about the temperature of star like oxide lines are there only in cool stars while hot stars show helium lines.

Multiple choice physics constellations and galaxies light year evolution and end stages of stars in the world of stars

The distance of a galaxy from the earth is of the order of $10^{25}$ m. The time taken by light to reach the earth from the galaxy is

  1. $3 \times 10^{14}$ s
  2. $3 \times 10^{16}$ s
  3. $3 \times 10^{18}$ s
  4. $3\times10^{20}$ s
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Speed of light, c = 3 x 10$^8$ m s$^{-1}$
Time taken by light to reach the earth from the galaxy is
$\displaystyle t = \frac {10^{25}m}{3\times 10^8m\,s^{-1}}\,=\,3\times 10^{16}s$

Multiple choice physics constellations and galaxies light year evolution and end stages of stars in the world of stars

The method of measuring distance to stars beyond 100 light-years is

  1. Capheid variable stars

  2. Heid variable stars

  3. Lowheid variable stars

  4. None
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The brightness of the stars changes over time. The difference in the brightness over time allows calculating the distance to the star. This is the cepheid variable stars method that is used to measure the distance to stars beyond 100 light years.

The method of measuring the distance to stars beyond 100 light-years is  Cepheid variable stars

Multiple choice physics constellations and galaxies light year evolution and end stages of stars in the world of stars

Which is the another unit used by astronomers for measuring distance to other parts of Milky Way Galaxy?

  1. Km

  2. Light year

  3. Parsec

  4. Meter
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Units used in astronomy by astronomers are an astronomical unit, light year and parsec.

another unit used by astronomers for measuring the distance to other parts of Milky Way Galaxy is Parsec

Multiple choice physics constellations and galaxies light year evolution and end stages of stars in the world of stars

How can Cepheid variable stars helpful to figure out true brightness?

  1. These stars change their brightness over time

  2. These stars lower their brightness over time

  3. These stars raise their brightness over time

  4. None
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The brightness of the stars changes over time. The difference in the brightness over time allows calculating the distance to the star. This is the cepheid variable stars method that is used to measure the distance to stars beyond 100 light years.

These stars change their brightness over time