General Awareness · 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

In which of the following the final image is erect?

  1. Galilean telescope

  2. Compound microscope

  3. Astronomical telescope

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

A Galilean telescope uses a converging objective lens and a diverging (concave) eyepiece lens. The concave lens intercepts the rays before they form an inverted image, resulting in a final virtual image that is erect. Compound microscopes and astronomical telescopes typically produce inverted final images.

Multiple choice

Asia's largest telescope is located at

  1. Kavalur

  2. Manilla

  3. New Delhi

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

The Vainu Bappu Observatory in Kavalur, Tamil Nadu, houses the Vainu Bappu Telescope, which was the largest in Asia at the time of its commissioning.

Multiple choice social studies discovery of universe famous space scientists and astronauts space exploration space communications

Where is the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) located?

  1. Jaisalmer

  2. Leh

  3. Jaipur

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

The Indian Astronomical Observatory, located near Leh in Ladakh, India, has one of the world's highest located sites for optical, infrared and gamma-ray telescopes. It is operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore.

Multiple choice social studies discovery of universe famous space scientists and astronauts space exploration space communications

Where is Vain Bappu observatory located?

  1. Udaipur, Rajasthan

  2. Jantar-mantar, Delhi

  3. Kavloore, Tamilnadu

  4. Patiala, Punjab
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Vainu Bappu Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. It is located at Kavaloore in the Javadi Hills, near Vaniyambadi in Tirupattur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Multiple choice geography antarctica - the white continent continents of earth antarctica antarctica

Dakshin Gangotri is _________.

  1. A river-valley project in Andhra Pradesh

  2. An unmanned station located in Antarctica for continuous weather and scientific recordings

  3. A second source of the river Ganga

  4. An island in the Indian Ocean near Antarctica
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

  • Dakshin Gangotri is an Indian first research station established in Antarctica. It was established during third Indian expedition between 1983-84.
  • An automatic weather recording station was set up here. The station is also used to conduct tests on radio waves in Antarctica. Other functions of the Dakshin Gangotri included observations of physical oceanography, the chemistry of the freshwater lakes around, biological traits of the land, biological traits of the water, geology, glaciology and geomagnetism of the area.

Multiple choice history language, writing and great books achievements in science and technology india's achievements in science and technology science and technology

Which one among the following is a scientific satellite?

  1. The Hubble

  2. Telstar

  3. COSMOS

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

Hubble is a telescope launched into low Earth orbit in 1990 and remains in operation. It is the largest astronomical observatory ever built. It is used to especially to look into the details of universe. 

Multiple choice

Name an astronomical observatory built in 18th century Rajasthan

  1. Red fort

  2. Qutub Minar

  3. Jantar Mantar

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II and completed in 1734. The Red Fort and Qutub Minar are located in Delhi and are not astronomical observatories.

Multiple choice

What is a Telescope? A tool that ______ images in the sky.

  1. Brightens

  2. Magnifies

  3. Makes smaller

  4. I don't know, I wasn't listening.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A telescope is an optical instrument designed to make distant objects appear closer and larger by magnifying their images. While it also gathers light to make faint objects brighter, magnification is its primary defining function for viewing details.