Physics · General Awareness

Astronomy and Space Science

3,057 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

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 does life not exist on Venus and Mars?

  1. Because the major component of their atmosphere is nitrogen

  2. Because the major component of their atmosphere is oxygen

  3. Because the major component of their atmosphere is carbon dioxide

  4. Because the major component of their atmosphere is water vapours
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Life does not exist on Venus and Mars because the major component of their atmosphere is carbon dioxide.

Multiple choice

Which color of star is the hottest?

  1. Blue

  2. Red

  3. Orange

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

Stellar color is an indicator of temperature. Blue stars have the highest surface temperatures, while red stars have the lowest.

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 in the world of stars evolution and end stages of stars life cycle of stars stars

When the core of a protostar reaches 10 million degrees Kelvin, the pressure is so great that the nuclear fusion of which gas begins?

  1. hydroxide

  2. hydrogen

  3. heliogen

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

A star's composition is mostly made of gases of which hydrogen and helium forms the most largest component of it. Hydrogen being the lightest element will get fused to helium

Multiple choice biology physical resources air and winds wind energy air as a natural resource

Major component of the atmosphere on venus and mars planets is

  1. Carbon dioxide

  2. Oxygen

  3. Hydrogen

  4. Water vapours
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
Carbon dioxide is an important gaseous component of the environment. It is fixed by the green plants by the process of photosynthesis. It is released during expiration by the process of respiration. Venus is twin planet to earth as it has atmosphere. It is the hottest planet as its is made up of 97% carbon dioxide. Mars is also a planet which has atmosphere made up of 95.5% carbon dioxide.
So, the correct answer is option A.
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.

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

The effect of parallax is used to measure:

  1. distances to nearby objects

  2. distances to nearby stars

  3. nearness of atoms in substances

  4. the object and image distance in optical experiments
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Astronomers use an effect called parallax to measure distances to nearby stars. Parallax is the apparent displacement of an object because of a change in the observer's point of view.

As the Earth orbits the sun, a nearby star will appear to move against the more distant background stars. Astronomers can measure a star's position once, and then again 6 months later and calculate the apparent change in position.

Multiple choice physics bharat and science scope and progress of physics recent advancement in medical technology contribution of physics in technology and society

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is related to _________________.

  1. Superconductivity

  2. Generation, propagation and detection of electromagnetic waves

  3. Detection of cosmic radio waves

  4. Trapping and cooling of atoms by laser beams and magnetic fields
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is related to Detection of cosmic radio waves.

Multiple choice mathematical modelling proof by contradiction similar triangles

Scientists use models to help guide their search for

  1. life on earth

  2. existence of living organisms

  3. other worlds

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

Scientists use models to help them get new information and use these information in their research.

Multiple choice physics universe and space science xx radio telescope and space telescopes launching vehicles optical instruments : telescope

Which of the following is not a fact about Hubble Telescope?

  1. The Hubble Space Telescopes captures and transmits colorful images of objects in space such as dying stars and other galaxies.

  2. Although the Hubble Space Telescope can observe many things in space, it cannot observe the Sun or Mercury.

  3. The Hubble Space Telescope orbits about 353 miles above Earth

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

All the facts mentioned about Hubble Telescope are true. The Hubble Telescope orbits 353 miles above earth and transmits colorful images of objects in space and through Hubble telescope we can observe many things in space except the sun or mercury.

Multiple choice physics universe and space science xx radio telescope and space telescopes launching vehicles optical instruments : telescope

DSN is a deep space network tracking station is 

  1. to track and communicate with interplanetary spacecraft missions.

  2. to track and provide the fuel to the spacecraft.

  3. to maintain the spacecraft

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

DNS is a deep space network tracking station use to track and  communicate with interplanetary spacecraft missions, Along with tacking and communication DSN is also used to explore the furthest point of our solar system.