General Awareness ยท Physics

Indian Observatories and Astronomy

2,525 Questions

Indian observatories and astronomy questions cover national research institutions, space telescopes, radio telescopes, and historic astronomical events. These facts are highly relevant for the general awareness section of UPSC and state PSC exams. Solve these questions to memorize key observatories and their specific functions.

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Indian Observatories and Astronomy Questions

Multiple choice

Which Indian observatory is known for its contributions to the study of asteroid families and has discovered several new asteroid families?

  1. Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO)

  2. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)

  3. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)

  4. Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

VBO, located in Kavalur, Tamil Nadu, has made significant contributions to the study of asteroid families. It has discovered several new asteroid families and provided insights into their formation and evolution.

Multiple choice

Which Indian observatory is known for its contributions to the study of asteroid lightcurves and has obtained lightcurves of numerous asteroids?

  1. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)

  2. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)

  3. Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)

  4. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium (JNP)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

IIA, located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has made significant contributions to the study of asteroid lightcurves. It has obtained lightcurves of numerous asteroids, providing insights into their rotation periods and shapes.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the telescope at IIA that has been extensively used for asteroid lightcurve observations?

  1. IIA 1-meter Telescope

  2. IIA 2-meter Telescope

  3. IIA 3-meter Telescope

  4. IIA 4-meter Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The IIA 2-meter Telescope is a versatile facility that has been extensively used for asteroid lightcurve observations. It has contributed to the study of asteroid rotation periods and shapes.

Multiple choice

Which Indian observatory is known for its contributions to the study of asteroid spectroscopy and has obtained spectra of numerous asteroids?

  1. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)

  2. Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)

  3. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium (JNP)

  4. National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

TIFR, located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, has made significant contributions to the study of asteroid spectroscopy. It has obtained spectra of numerous asteroids, providing insights into their surface compositions and mineralogy.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the telescope at TIFR that has been extensively used for asteroid spectroscopic observations?

  1. TIFR 1-meter Telescope

  2. TIFR 2-meter Telescope

  3. TIFR 3-meter Telescope

  4. TIFR 4-meter Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The TIFR 2-meter Telescope is a powerful facility that has been extensively used for asteroid spectroscopic observations. It has contributed to the study of asteroid surface compositions and mineralogy.

Multiple choice

Which Indian observatory is known for its contributions to the study of asteroid occultations and has observed numerous asteroid occultations?

  1. Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)

  2. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium (JNP)

  3. National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)

  4. Raman Research Institute (RRI)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

PRL, located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, has made significant contributions to the study of asteroid occultations. It has observed numerous asteroid occultations, providing insights into asteroid sizes, shapes, and atmospheres.

Multiple choice

Which Indian observatory is known for its contributions to the study of asteroid radar observations and has obtained radar images of numerous asteroids?

  1. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium (JNP)

  2. National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)

  3. Raman Research Institute (RRI)

  4. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

NCRA, located in Pune, Maharashtra, has made significant contributions to the study of asteroid radar observations. It has obtained radar images of numerous asteroids, providing insights into their shapes, surface features, and internal structures.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the telescope at NCRA that has been extensively used for asteroid radar observations?

  1. NCRA 1-meter Telescope

  2. NCRA 2-meter Telescope

  3. NCRA 3-meter Telescope

  4. NCRA 4-meter Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

The NCRA Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is a powerful facility that has been extensively used for asteroid radar observations. It has contributed to the study of asteroid shapes, surface features, and internal structures.

Multiple choice

Which Indian observatory is known for its contributions to the study of asteroid thermal infrared observations and has obtained thermal infrared spectra of numerous asteroids?

  1. Raman Research Institute (RRI)

  2. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

  3. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  4. Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

RRI, located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has made significant contributions to the study of asteroid thermal infrared observations. It has obtained thermal infrared spectra of numerous asteroids, providing insights into their surface temperatures, compositions, and mineralogy.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the telescope at RRI that has been extensively used for asteroid thermal infrared observations?

  1. RRI 1-meter Telescope

  2. RRI 2-meter Telescope

  3. RRI 3-meter Telescope

  4. RRI 4-meter Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The RRI 1-meter Telescope is a dedicated facility that has been extensively used for asteroid thermal infrared observations. It has contributed to the study of asteroid surface temperatures, compositions, and mineralogy.

Multiple choice

Which Indian observatory is known for its contributions to the study of asteroid polarimetry and has obtained polarimetric observations of numerous asteroids?

  1. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

  2. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  3. Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO)

  4. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

ISRO, headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has made significant contributions to the study of asteroid polarimetry. It has obtained polarimetric observations of numerous asteroids, providing insights into their surface properties and compositions.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the nebula that was discovered by Indian astronomer T.P. Bhaskaran?

  1. Crab Nebula

  2. Orion Nebula

  3. Helix Nebula

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

T.P. Bhaskaran discovered the Boomerang Nebula, a protoplanetary nebula, in 1987.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the telescope that was used by Indian astronomers to study the formation of nebulae?

  1. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

  2. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences

  3. Vainu Bappu Observatory

  4. Indian Institute of Astrophysics
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is a radio telescope located in India that has been used by astronomers to study the formation of nebulae.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the nebula that was discovered by Indian astronomer U.R. Rao?

  1. Crab Nebula

  2. Orion Nebula

  3. Helix Nebula

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

U.R. Rao discovered the Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant, in 1953.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the telescope that was used by Indian astronomers to study the formation of molecular clouds?

  1. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

  2. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences

  3. Vainu Bappu Observatory

  4. Indian Institute of Astrophysics
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is a radio telescope located in India that has been used by astronomers to study the formation of molecular clouds.