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.

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Indian Observatories and Astronomy Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Kolkata?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Nalanda University Observatory

  3. Ujjain Observatory

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

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics is located in Kolkata and was established in 1971.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Chennai?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Nalanda University Observatory

  3. Ujjain Observatory

  4. Vainu Bappu Observatory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Vainu Bappu Observatory is located in Chennai and was established in 1968.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Delhi?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Nalanda University Observatory

  3. Ujjain Observatory

  4. Aryabhata Research Institute of Observational Sciences
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Aryabhata Research Institute of Observational Sciences is located in Delhi and was established in 1954.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Bhopal?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Nalanda University Observatory

  3. Ujjain Observatory

  4. Physical Research Laboratory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Physical Research Laboratory is located in Bhopal and was established in 1947.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Hyderabad?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Nalanda University Observatory

  3. Ujjain Observatory

  4. Osmania University Observatory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Osmania University Observatory is located in Hyderabad and was established in 1965.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian observatory is considered the oldest in the world?

  1. Jantar Mantar

  2. Ujjain Observatory

  3. Nalanda Observatory

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

The Ujjain Observatory, established in the 5th century BCE, is believed to be the oldest astronomical observatory in the world.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian observatory was constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II?

  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, including Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi, and Mathura.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian observatory was located in the ancient city of Nalanda?

  1. Jantar Mantar

  2. Ujjain Observatory

  3. Nalanda Observatory

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

The Nalanda Observatory was located in the ancient city of Nalanda, a renowned center of learning and scholarship in ancient India.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian observatory was located in the ancient city of Takshashila?

  1. Jantar Mantar

  2. Ujjain Observatory

  3. Nalanda Observatory

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

The Takshashila Observatory was located in the ancient city of Takshashila, a renowned center of learning and scholarship in ancient India.

Multiple choice

Which Indian telescope is located at the Devasthal Observatory in Uttarakhand and is used for optical and infrared astronomy?

  1. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  2. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

  3. Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO)

  4. Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT) is located at the Devasthal Observatory in Uttarakhand and is used for optical and infrared astronomy.

Multiple choice

Which Indian radio telescope array is located near Pune, Maharashtra, and is used for studying cosmic radio waves?

  1. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  2. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

  3. Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO)

  4. Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is located near Pune, Maharashtra, and is used for studying cosmic radio waves.

Multiple choice

The ancient Indian observatory at Ujjain was known as:

  1. Jantar Mantar

  2. Vedhshala

  3. Rashtriya Shaala

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

The ancient Indian observatory at Ujjain was known as Vedhshala. It was a significant center for astronomical studies and observations in ancient India.

Multiple choice

The ancient Indian observatory at Varanasi was known as:

  1. Jantar Mantar

  2. Vedhshala

  3. Rashtriya Shaala

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

The ancient Indian observatory at Varanasi was known as Vedhshala. It was a significant center for astronomical studies and observations in ancient India.

Multiple choice

Which radio telescope is known for its iconic dish-shaped design and has played a significant role in radio astronomy?

  1. Arecibo Observatory

  2. Very Large Array

  3. Atacama Large Millimeter Array

  4. Square Kilometer Array
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Arecibo Observatory, located in Puerto Rico, was a single-dish radio telescope with a 305-meter dish that made significant contributions to radio astronomy before its collapse in 2020.

Multiple choice

What is the Auger Observatory?

  1. A ground-based cosmic ray observatory in Argentina

  2. A space-based cosmic ray observatory in orbit around Earth

  3. A neutrino observatory located deep underground

  4. A gamma-ray observatory located in the Atacama Desert
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Auger Observatory is a large ground-based cosmic ray observatory located in Argentina, designed to study the highest energy cosmic rays.