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 famous Indian observatory built by 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

Jai Singh II constructed five Jantar Mantars, which are remarkable astronomical observatories located in different cities of India.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the comet that was observed in India in 1882?

  1. Halley's Comet

  2. Great Comet of 1882

  3. Comet Hale-Bopp

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

The Great Comet of 1882 was observed in India and was visible for several months.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the comet that was observed in India in 1910?

  1. Halley's Comet

  2. Great Comet of 1910

  3. Comet Hale-Bopp

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

Halley's Comet was observed in India in 1910 and was visible for several months.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT an astronomical instrument used at Indian observatories?

  1. Telescope

  2. Spectrograph

  3. Radio Telescope

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

Microscopes are not used in astronomy, as they are designed to magnify small objects, while astronomical instruments are used to study celestial objects.

Multiple choice

Which type of telescope is used to study objects in the infrared spectrum?

  1. Refracting Telescope

  2. Reflecting Telescope

  3. Radio Telescope

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

Infrared telescopes are specifically designed to detect and study infrared radiation emitted by celestial objects.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories in India is known for its radio telescope?

  1. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  2. Vainu Bappu Observatory

  3. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

  4. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is located near Pune, Maharashtra, and is known for its array of radio telescopes used to study radio waves from space.

Multiple choice

What is the largest optical telescope in India?

  1. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) Telescope

  2. Vainu Bappu Observatory Telescope

  3. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

  4. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) Telescope, located in Nainital, Uttarakhand, is the largest optical telescope in India.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories in India is known for its solar telescope?

  1. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  2. Vainu Bappu Observatory

  3. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

  4. Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Vainu Bappu Observatory, located in Kavalur, Tamil Nadu, is known for its solar telescope, which is used to study the Sun and its phenomena.

Multiple choice

Which of the following observatories in India is known for its gamma-ray telescope?

  1. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  2. Vainu Bappu Observatory

  3. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

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

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, is known for its gamma-ray telescope, which is used to study gamma rays from space.

Multiple choice

Which astronomical instrument is used to study the cosmic microwave background radiation?

  1. Telescope

  2. Spectrograph

  3. Radio Telescope

  4. Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) Experiment
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) Experiments are specialized instruments designed to study the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is the leftover radiation from the Big Bang.

Multiple choice

In which city was the first modern astronomical observatory in India established?

  1. Mumbai

  2. Kolkata

  3. Chennai

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

The first modern astronomical observatory in India was established in Chennai in 1786.

Multiple choice

Which Indian telescope is located at the Devasthal Observatory in Uttarakhand?

  1. Aryabhata Telescope

  2. Vainu Bappu Telescope

  3. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

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

The Himalayan Chandra Telescope is located at the Devasthal Observatory in Uttarakhand, and is the largest optical telescope in India.

Multiple choice

Which Indian telescope is located at the Kavalur Observatory in Tamil Nadu?

  1. Aryabhata Telescope

  2. Vainu Bappu Telescope

  3. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

  4. Himalayan Chandra Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Vainu Bappu Telescope is located at the Kavalur Observatory in Tamil Nadu, and is the second largest optical telescope in India.

Multiple choice

Which Indian telescope is located at the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in Maharashtra?

  1. Aryabhata Telescope

  2. Vainu Bappu Telescope

  3. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

  4. Himalayan Chandra Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope is located at the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in Maharashtra, and is the largest radio telescope in the world.

Multiple choice

What type of telescope is ALMA?

  1. Radio telescope

  2. Optical telescope

  3. Infrared telescope

  4. X-ray telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

ALMA is a radio telescope, which means it detects and analyzes radio waves emitted by celestial objects.