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

What is the name of the Indian cometary research journal?

  1. Indian Journal of Cometary Research

  2. Journal of Indian Cometary Research

  3. Cometary Research in India

  4. Indian Cometary Research Journal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Indian Journal of Cometary Research is the name of the Indian cometary research journal.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the telescope that was designed to study the cosmic microwave background?

  1. Hubble Space Telescope

  2. James Webb Space Telescope

  3. Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe

  4. Chandra X-ray Observatory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) was a NASA satellite designed to study the cosmic microwave background.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the oldest known astronomical observatory in India?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Ujjain Observatory

  3. Delhi Observatory

  4. Nilakantha's Observatory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Ujjain Observatory, also known as the Vedhshala, is the oldest known astronomical observatory in India. It was built in the 5th century BCE and is located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Ujjain Observatory

  3. Delhi Observatory

  4. Nilakantha's Observatory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Maharaja Jai Singh II built the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, Rajasthan in the 18th century CE. It is a collection of astronomical instruments that were used to study the movement of celestial bodies.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Ujjain Observatory

  3. Delhi Observatory

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

The Man Mandir Observatory is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It was built in the 16th century CE and is one of the oldest observatories in India.

Multiple choice

What is the significance of the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur?

  1. It is the largest astronomical observatory in India

  2. It is the oldest astronomical observatory in India

  3. It is the only astronomical observatory in India that is still in use

  4. It is the only astronomical observatory in India that was built by a Maharaja
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is the largest astronomical observatory in India. It consists of a collection of 19 astronomical instruments that were used to study the movement of celestial bodies.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories was built by the British in the 19th century?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Ujjain Observatory

  3. Delhi Observatory

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

The Madras Observatory was built by the British in the 19th century. It is located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and is one of the oldest observatories in India.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the telescope that was used at the Madras Observatory?

  1. The Great Madras Telescope

  2. The Madras Giant Telescope

  3. The Madras Refractor

  4. The Madras Reflector
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Great Madras Telescope was the telescope that was used at the Madras Observatory. It was one of the largest telescopes in the world when it was built in the 19th century.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Ujjain Observatory

  3. Kodaikanal Solar Observatory

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

The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory is located in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. It was established in the 19th century and is one of the oldest solar observatories in the world.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Nainital, Uttarakhand?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Ujjain Observatory

  3. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences

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

The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences is located in Nainital, Uttarakhand. It was established in the 20th century and is one of the leading astronomical research institutes in India.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the telescope that is located at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences?

  1. The Aryabhatta Telescope

  2. The Nainital Telescope

  3. The Uttarakhand Telescope

  4. The Himalayan Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Aryabhatta Telescope is located at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences. It is one of the largest telescopes in India and is used to study a wide range of astronomical objects.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Hanle, Ladakh?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Ujjain Observatory

  3. Indian Astronomical Observatory

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

The Indian Astronomical Observatory is located in Hanle, Ladakh. It is one of the highest observatories in the world and is used to study a wide range of astronomical objects.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Devasthal, Uttarakhand?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Ujjain Observatory

  3. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences

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

The Vainu Bappu Observatory is located in Devasthal, Uttarakhand. It was established in the 20th century and is one of the leading astronomical research institutes in India.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the telescope used by Indian astronomers to capture stunning images of the Orion Nebula?

  1. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

  2. Aryabhata Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  3. Vainu Bappu Observatory

  4. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Vainu Bappu Observatory, located in Kavalur, Tamil Nadu, India, houses a 2.3-meter telescope that has been instrumental in capturing remarkable images of the Orion Nebula. This telescope has enabled Indian astronomers to study the intricate details and structures within this iconic nebula.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian astronomical observatory that houses the world's largest steerable radio telescope?

  1. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

  2. Aryabhata Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  3. Vainu Bappu Observatory

  4. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), located near Pune, Maharashtra, India, is the world's largest steerable radio telescope. It has been instrumental in studying various astronomical objects, including nebulae, and has contributed to our understanding of their properties and evolution.