General Awareness ยท Physics

Indian Observatories and Astronomy

2,231 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.

Optical telescopes in IndiaRadio telescopes IndiaAstronomical research institutesSpace observatory missions

Indian Observatories and Astronomy Questions

Multiple choice

What is the name of the astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the 18th century?

  1. Jantar Mantar

  2. Ujjain Observatory

  3. Nalanda Observatory

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

Maharaja Jai Singh II constructed five Jantar Mantars, astronomical observatories, in various cities across India.

Multiple choice

Which Indian organization is actively involved in the search for extraterrestrial life?

  1. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

  2. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)

  3. National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

ISRO, TIFR, and NCRA are all actively involved in the search for extraterrestrial life through various projects and collaborations.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian telescope that is being used to search for extraterrestrial life?

  1. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

  2. Aryabhata Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  3. Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO)

  4. Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The GMRT is a radio telescope located in Pune, India, which is being used to search for extraterrestrial life.

Multiple choice

Which Indian organization is collaborating with the SETI Institute to search for extraterrestrial life in the Milky Way galaxy?

  1. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)

  2. Raman Research Institute (RRI)

  3. National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

IIA, RRI, and NCRA are all collaborating with the SETI Institute to search for extraterrestrial life in the Milky Way galaxy.

Multiple choice

Which Indian organization is involved in the development of the SKA?

  1. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

  2. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)

  3. National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

ISRO, TIFR, and NCRA are all involved in the development of the SKA.

Multiple choice

Which Indian organization is collaborating with the European Space Agency (ESA) to search for exoplanets that may be habitable for life?

  1. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)

  2. Raman Research Institute (RRI)

  3. National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

IIA, RRI, and NCRA are all collaborating with the ESA to search for exoplanets that may be habitable for life.

Multiple choice

Which Indian organization is collaborating with the SETI Institute to search for technosignatures, or signs of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations?

  1. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)

  2. Raman Research Institute (RRI)

  3. National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

IIA, RRI, and NCRA are all collaborating with the SETI Institute to search for technosignatures.

Multiple choice

Which Indian organization is collaborating with the Breakthrough Listen initiative to search for extraterrestrial radio signals?

  1. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)

  2. Raman Research Institute (RRI)

  3. National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

IIA, RRI, and NCRA are all collaborating with the Breakthrough Listen initiative.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian telescope located in the Himalayas?

  1. Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT)

  2. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

  3. Aryabhata Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

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

The Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) is a high-altitude gamma-ray telescope located in the Himalayas. It is designed to study high-energy gamma rays from celestial sources and contribute to the understanding of cosmic phenomena such as supernovae, active galactic nuclei, and gamma-ray bursts.

Multiple choice

Which of the following telescopes is used to study exoplanets using the gravitational microlensing method?

  1. Hubble Space Telescope

  2. James Webb Space Telescope

  3. Spitzer Space Telescope

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

The Subaru Telescope is a large ground-based telescope located in Hawaii. It is used to study exoplanets using the gravitational microlensing method.

Multiple choice

Which Indian scientist is known for his work on the dark energy?

  1. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar

  2. C. V. Raman

  3. Homi J. Bhabha

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

Saul Perlmutter is known for his work on the dark energy, which is a mysterious force that is causing the expansion of the universe to accelerate.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the gamma-ray observatory that was launched by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) in 2018?

  1. Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory

  2. Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

  3. Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission

  4. Insight-HXMT
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Insight-HXMT is a gamma-ray observatory that was launched by CNSA in 2018. It is designed to study high-energy phenomena in the universe, such as black holes, neutron stars, and supernovae.

Multiple choice

Which gamma-ray observatory is known for its ability to study gamma-rays in the MeV energy range?

  1. Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory

  2. Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

  3. Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission

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

BAT is the Burst Alert Telescope aboard the Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission. It is known for its ability to study gamma-rays in the MeV energy range, making it a valuable tool for studying gamma-ray bursts and other transient phenomena.

Multiple choice

Which gamma-ray observatory is known for its ability to study gamma-rays in the keV energy range?

  1. Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory

  2. Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

  3. Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission

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

CZT is the Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager aboard the NuSTAR mission. It is known for its ability to study gamma-rays in the keV energy range, making it a valuable tool for studying black holes, neutron stars, and other compact objects.

Multiple choice

Which Indian government agency is responsible for formulating and implementing policies related to astronomy and space science?

  1. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

  2. Department of Space (DOS)

  3. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)

  4. Ministry of Science and Technology (MST)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Department of Space (DOS) is the nodal agency of the Government of India responsible for all matters relating to space science, technology, and applications.