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 of the following observatories is located in Madurai?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Varahamihira's Observatory, Ujjain

  3. Aryabhata's Observatory, Pataliputra

  4. Meenakshi Temple Observatory, Madurai
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Meenakshi Temple Observatory, Madurai was built in the 17th century CE by the astronomer Tirumalai Nayak. It is located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Trivandrum?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Varahamihira's Observatory, Ujjain

  3. Aryabhata's Observatory, Pataliputra

  4. Nakshatravedi Observatory, Trivandrum
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Nakshatravedi Observatory, Trivandrum was built in the 19th century CE by the astronomer John Caldecott. It is located in Trivandrum, Kerala.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Hyderabad?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Varahamihira's Observatory, Ujjain

  3. Aryabhata's Observatory, Pataliputra

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

Osmania University Observatory, Hyderabad was built in the 19th century CE by the astronomer Nizam of Hyderabad. It is located in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Pune?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Varahamihira's Observatory, Ujjain

  3. Aryabhata's Observatory, Pataliputra

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

Vainu Bappu Observatory, Pune was built in the 20th century CE by the astronomer Vainu Bappu. It is located in Pune, Maharashtra.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories is located in Nainital?

  1. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

  2. Varahamihira's Observatory, Ujjain

  3. Aryabhata's Observatory, Pataliputra

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

Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital was built in the 20th century CE by the astronomer Aryabhatta. It is located in Nainital, Uttarakhand.

Multiple choice

Which radio observatory is located in the Atacama Desert of Chile?

  1. Very Large Array

  2. Green Bank Telescope

  3. Atacama Large Millimeter Array

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

The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) is a radio observatory located in the Atacama Desert of Chile, known for its high-resolution images of celestial objects.

Multiple choice

What is the largest single-dish radio telescope in the world?

  1. Arecibo Observatory

  2. Green Bank Telescope

  3. Very Large Array

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

The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico was the largest single-dish radio telescope in the world until its collapse in 2020.

Multiple choice

Which radio observatory is located in the Netherlands and is known for its studies of pulsars?

  1. Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope

  2. LOFAR

  3. Very Large Array

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

The Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) in the Netherlands is known for its contributions to the study of pulsars and other radio sources.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the radio observatory located in the United Kingdom and known for its contributions to cosmology?

  1. Jodrell Bank Observatory

  2. LOFAR

  3. Very Large Array

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

The Jodrell Bank Observatory in the United Kingdom is renowned for its contributions to cosmology and the study of pulsars.

Multiple choice

Which radio observatory is located in the United States and is known for its high-resolution images of celestial objects?

  1. Very Large Array

  2. Green Bank Telescope

  3. Atacama Large Millimeter Array

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

The Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, USA, is known for its high-resolution images of celestial objects obtained through interferometry.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the radio observatory located in Australia and is known for its studies of the Milky Way galaxy?

  1. Parkes Observatory

  2. LOFAR

  3. Very Large Array

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

The Parkes Observatory in Australia is known for its contributions to the study of the Milky Way galaxy and the detection of pulsars.

Multiple choice

Which radio observatory is located in China and is known for its studies of the Sun?

  1. Nanjing Purple Mountain Observatory

  2. LOFAR

  3. Very Large Array

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

The Nanjing Purple Mountain Observatory in China is known for its studies of the Sun and its contributions to solar astronomy.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the radio observatory located in India and is known for its studies of pulsars?

  1. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

  2. LOFAR

  3. Very Large Array

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

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in India is known for its studies of pulsars and other radio sources.

Multiple choice

Which radio observatory is located in South Africa and is known for its studies of the Southern Hemisphere sky?

  1. MeerKAT

  2. LOFAR

  3. Very Large Array

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

The MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa is known for its studies of the Southern Hemisphere sky and its contributions to cosmology.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the radio observatory located in Canada and is known for its studies of the cosmic microwave background?

  1. Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment

  2. LOFAR

  3. Very Large Array

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

The Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) is known for its studies of the cosmic microwave background and its contributions to cosmology.