Physics · General Awareness

Astronomy and Space Science

2,804 Questions

Astronomy and Space Science questions explore observational instruments, spectroscopy, space stations, and astrostatistics. These scientific concepts are vital for SSC, railways, and UPSC preliminary exams. Test your knowledge of space technology and astronomical history with these practice questions.

Spectroscopy techniquesSpace station usesAstronomical instrumentsAstrostatistics basicsExoplanet research programs

Astronomy and Space Science Questions

Multiple choice

What does the phrase ‘setting up shop’ in the passage indicate?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

When dedicated stargazers venture outside to enjoy the night sky, they bring their telescopes, binoculars and various well-considered pieces of observing gear away from city lights and into the cool dark of night to catch sight of cosmic objects. But how can the average person get started on their way toward becoming an expert skywatcher? Begin by simply looking up, according to one intrepid stargazer. "If you're just getting started in astronomy, the best thing to do is to first spend some time under the stars with just your eyes and get acquainted with the brighter stars and constellations," says Space.com skywatching columnist Joe Rao. "Purchase a good sky guide and star chart. Just as you might consult a travel book when sightseeing in an unfamiliar city, a good book on stargazing or a simple finder chart will go a long way to help you familiarise yourself with the night sky." It's almost always worth setting up shop at your chosen skywatching site before it gets dark, Rao adds. Stargazers also need a gameplan for a rewarding night of skywatching. Rao suggests putting together a checklist of cosmic sights to see for the night. Specialised skywatching software can aid in that hunt.

  1. Opening a business of stargazing equipment

  2. Starting a business of star charts and sky guides

  3. Arranging camp at the site chosen to stargaze

  4. None of these

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The idiom 'setting up shop' means starting a business in its literal meaning. But in the given context the reference is to make arrangements at the site chosen and not beginning a business. Thus, this is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the most appropriate title for the given passage?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

When dedicated stargazers venture outside to enjoy the night sky, they bring their telescopes, binoculars and various well-considered pieces of observing gear away from city lights and into the cool dark of night to catch sight of cosmic objects. But how can the average person get started on their way toward becoming an expert skywatcher? Begin by simply looking up, according to one intrepid stargazer. "If you're just getting started in astronomy, the best thing to do is to first spend some time under the stars with just your eyes and get acquainted with the brighter stars and constellations," says Space.com skywatching columnist Joe Rao. "Purchase a good sky guide and star chart. Just as you might consult a travel book when sightseeing in an unfamiliar city, a good book on stargazing or a simple finder chart will go a long way to help you familiarise yourself with the night sky." It's almost always worth setting up shop at your chosen skywatching site before it gets dark, Rao adds. Stargazers also need a gameplan for a rewarding night of skywatching. Rao suggests putting together a checklist of cosmic sights to see for the night. Specialised skywatching software can aid in that hunt.

  1. An Astronomers Guide to Stargazing

  2. Astronomy and Stargazing for the Intrepid Stargazer

  3. A Stargazers Guide to Astronomy

  4. A Sky Guide for Astronomers

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is an appropriate heading as the passage talks to a beginner from an experienced astronomer's point of view.

Multiple choice

What is the gameplan that the passage refers to?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

When dedicated stargazers venture outside to enjoy the night sky, they bring their telescopes, binoculars and various well-considered pieces of observing gear away from city lights and into the cool dark of night to catch sight of cosmic objects. But how can the average person get started on their way toward becoming an expert skywatcher? Begin by simply looking up, according to one intrepid stargazer. "If you're just getting started in astronomy, the best thing to do is to first spend some time under the stars with just your eyes and get acquainted with the brighter stars and constellations," says Space.com skywatching columnist Joe Rao. "Purchase a good sky guide and star chart. Just as you might consult a travel book when sightseeing in an unfamiliar city, a good book on stargazing or a simple finder chart will go a long way to help you familiarise yourself with the night sky." It's almost always worth setting up shop at your chosen skywatching site before it gets dark, Rao adds. Stargazers also need a gameplan for a rewarding night of skywatching. Rao suggests putting together a checklist of cosmic sights to see for the night. Specialised skywatching software can aid in that hunt.

  1. Plans of the equipment one needs to buy

  2. Plans of the times one can see the best constellations

  3. Plans of a list of cosmic sights to see for the night

  4. Cannot be determined from the passage

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage suggests a gameplan for stargazers which can be a checklist of cosmic sights for the night.

Multiple choice

Directions: For this question, select the best of the answer choices given.

Robot satellites relay important communications and identify weather patterns. Because the satellites can be repaired only in orbit, astronauts are needed to repair them. Without repairs, the satellites would eventually malfunction. Therefore, space flights carrying astronauts must continue. Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the argument above?

  1. Satellites falling from orbit because of malfunctions burn up in the atmosphere.

  2. Although satellites are indispensable in the identification of weather patterns, weather forecasters also make some use of computer projections to identify weather patterns.

  3. The government, responding to public pressure, has decided to cut the budget for space flights and put more money into social welfare programs.

  4. Repair of satellites requires heavy equipment, which adds to the amount of fuel needed to lift a spaceship carrying astronauts into orbit.

  5. Technical obsolescence of robot satellites makes repairing them more costly and less practical than sending new, improved satellites into orbit.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The argument claims astronauts must continue because satellites need in-orbit repair. Option E most seriously weakens this by suggesting that technological obsolescence makes repair economically impractical compared to launching new, more advanced satellites. If the cost-benefit analysis favors replacement over repair, the necessity of manned repair missions disappears. Option A discusses satellite destruction but doesn't address the repair need. Options B and C are irrelevant to the repair argument. Option D mentions repair costs but doesn't suggest an alternative to manned missions.

Multiple choice

Radio telescope is used to see

  1. distant stars and planets

  2. sun and to measure its temperature

  3. stars and to measure its diameter

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Radio telescopes are used to detect radio frequency radiation emitted by celestial objects like pulsars, galaxies, and quasars. They do not 'see' in the visible spectrum, and their primary purpose is not the direct optical measurement of temperature or diameter as described in the other options.

Multiple choice

Hubble telescope can take clearer pictures of outer space

Directions: The passage is followed by five questions. Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows. For the question four probable answers bearing options (1), (2), (3) and (4) are given. Only one out of those is correct. You have to choose correct answer.

The Hubble enables us to see farther than any telescope on Earth. It has helped us learn about how solar systems and galaxies form, as well as the existence of dark energy, a mysterious force that causes the universe to expand. Hubble, the powerful telescope, is the size of a school bus. It orbits Earth every 97 minutes, moving five miles per second. Since Hubble is beyond Earth’s atmosphere, it can take clearer pictures of outer space than any telescope on Earth.

  1. because it is as big as a school bus

  2. because people can see better through it

  3. because it is outside Earth’s atmosphere

  4. because it is the most powerful telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

‘Since Hubble is beyond (outside) Earth’s atmosphere, it can take more clear pictures of outer space than any other telescope on Earth’

Multiple choice

What is the meaning of 'took a great leap outward'?

Directions: Fill in the gaps with the most appropriate option.

Ever since  Galileo pointed his homemade optical telescope towards the heavens, astronomers---18--------------------building instruments of increasing power and sophistication ---------19--------------------to observe the universe. Hale telescope on Mount Palamar in Southern California can   detect objects a million times smaller than Galileo’s device -----21--------, they still have their limitations. With the advent of radar technology during World War 2, however, astronomy took a great leap outward. With radio antennas pointing to the night sky, astronomers far -----23-------------------their reach.

  1. taking the foot forward

  2. achieving great progress

  3. moving outside

  4. jump ahead in time
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase means to attain great heights or to achieve success.

Multiple choice

Choose the option that best fits gap 23.

Directions: Fill in the gaps with the most appropriate option.

Ever since  Galileo pointed his homemade optical telescope towards the heavens, astronomers---18--------------------building instruments of increasing power and sophistication ---------19--------------------to observe the universe. Hale telescope on Mount Palamar in Southern California can   detect objects a million times smaller than Galileo’s device -----21--------, they still have their limitations. With the advent of radar technology during World War 2, however, astronomy took a great leap outward. With radio antennas pointing to the night sky, astronomers far -----23-------------------their reach.

  1. extends

  2. extended

  3. extending

  4. extension of

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

We need a form of the word extend in the past tense. The other options are in the present or continuous tense, or they otherwise replace the verb with the noun.

Multiple choice

Choose the option which best explains the meaning of 'detect'.

Directions: Fill in the gaps with the most appropriate option.

Ever since  Galileo pointed his homemade optical telescope towards the heavens, astronomers---18--------------------building instruments of increasing power and sophistication ---------19--------------------to observe the universe. Hale telescope on Mount Palamar in Southern California can   detect objects a million times smaller than Galileo’s device -----21--------, they still have their limitations. With the advent of radar technology during World War 2, however, astronomy took a great leap outward. With radio antennas pointing to the night sky, astronomers far -----23-------------------their reach.

  1. investigate

  2. invent

  3. identify

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

The contextual meaning of detect is to identify as objects are already in the universe. They just need identification.

Multiple choice

Choose the option which best fits gap 19.

Directions: Fill in the gaps with the most appropriate option.

Ever since  Galileo pointed his homemade optical telescope towards the heavens, astronomers---18--------------------building instruments of increasing power and sophistication ---------19--------------------to observe the universe. Hale telescope on Mount Palamar in Southern California can   detect objects a million times smaller than Galileo’s device -----21--------, they still have their limitations. With the advent of radar technology during World War 2, however, astronomy took a great leap outward. With radio antennas pointing to the night sky, astronomers far -----23-------------------their reach.

  1. with which

  2. from which

  3. by whom

  4. for which
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

We use 'with' for tools and 'by' for persons. The third option is 'by whom' and it's used for living things.

Multiple choice

Choose the option which best fits gap 18.

Directions: Fill in the gaps with the most appropriate option.

Ever since  Galileo pointed his homemade optical telescope towards the heavens, astronomers---18--------------------building instruments of increasing power and sophistication ---------19--------------------to observe the universe. Hale telescope on Mount Palamar in Southern California can   detect objects a million times smaller than Galileo’s device -----21--------, they still have their limitations. With the advent of radar technology during World War 2, however, astronomy took a great leap outward. With radio antennas pointing to the night sky, astronomers far -----23-------------------their reach.

  1. had been

  2. have been

  3. are

  4. were

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The tense is present perfect continuous and as 'astronomers' is plural so 'have been' is the best option. “Ever since … … have been building…”

Multiple choice

Choose the option which best fits gap 21.

Directions: Fill in the gaps with the most appropriate option.

Ever since  Galileo pointed his homemade optical telescope towards the heavens, astronomers---18--------------------building instruments of increasing power and sophistication ---------19--------------------to observe the universe. Hale telescope on Mount Palamar in Southern California can   detect objects a million times smaller than Galileo’s device -----21--------, they still have their limitations. With the advent of radar technology during World War 2, however, astronomy took a great leap outward. With radio antennas pointing to the night sky, astronomers far -----23-------------------their reach.

  1. shall take

  2. took

  3. takes

  4. will take
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The purpose has already been achieved in the past. Other options are talking about future.

Multiple choice

Why do scientists use light years to measure distances in space?

  1. it's the same as kilometers

  2. distances are too big

  3. because there are no roads in outer space

  4. because the only thing that travels in outer space is light
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Distances in space are so vast that using standard units like kilometers or miles would result in unmanageably large numbers. A light year is a unit of distance based on how far light travels in one year, which simplifies astronomical calculations.

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

Which one of the following methods is used to measure distance of a planet or a star from the earth?

  1. Echo method

  2. Parallax method

  3. Triangulation method

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Astronomers estimate the distance of nearby objects in space by using a method called stellar parallax, or trigonometric parallax. Simply put, they measure a star's apparent movement against the background of more distant stars as Earth revolves around the sun

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

Parallax method is useful 

  1. for measuring speed of the light.

  2. for measuring distances of star.

  3. for finding the intensity of the light.

  4. None of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

$Answer:-$ B

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. Astronomers use the principle of parallax to measure distances to the closer stars.