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 is the largest astronomy club in Kolkata?

  1. The Calcutta Astronomical Society

  2. The West Bengal Astronomical Society

  3. The Eastern India Astronomical Society

  4. The Jadavpur University Astronomical Society
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Calcutta Astronomical Society is the largest astronomy club in Kolkata, with over 300 members.

Multiple choice

Which Indian observatory played a crucial role in detecting the first-ever image of a black hole in 2019?

  1. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

  2. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  3. Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO)

  4. Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune, India, contributed significantly to the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration, which captured the groundbreaking image of a black hole in 2019.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian astronomical facility that houses the largest optical telescope in Asia?

  1. Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO)

  2. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  3. Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO)

  4. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO) in Tamil Nadu, India, is home to the largest optical telescope in Asia, with a 2.34-meter primary mirror.

Multiple choice

Which Indian observatory is known for its contributions to the study of black hole jets?

  1. Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO)

  2. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  3. Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO)

  4. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) in Uttarakhand, India, has made significant contributions to the study of black hole jets, which are powerful outflows of matter and energy from black holes.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian astronomical facility that houses the largest radio telescope in the world?

  1. Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO)

  2. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  3. Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO)

  4. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune, India, is the world's largest radio telescope, consisting of an array of 30 fully steerable parabolic radio telescopes.

Multiple choice

Which Indian observatory is known for its contributions to the study of black hole binaries?

  1. Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO)

  2. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)

  3. Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO)

  4. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO) in Rajasthan, India, has made significant contributions to the study of black hole binaries, which are systems consisting of a black hole and a companion star.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the largest optical telescope in India?

  1. Himalayan Chandra Telescope

  2. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

  3. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences

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

The Himalayan Chandra Telescope, located in Uttarakhand, is the largest optical telescope in India with a mirror diameter of 2.01 meters.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics's (IIA) largest radio telescope?

  1. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

  2. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences

  3. Vainu Bappu Observatory

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

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is the largest radio telescope operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and is located near Pune, Maharashtra.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics's (IIA) largest optical telescope?

  1. Himalayan Chandra Telescope

  2. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

  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 (VBO) is the largest optical telescope operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and is located near Kavalur, Tamil Nadu.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics's (IIA) largest infrared telescope?

  1. Himalayan Chandra Telescope

  2. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

  3. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences

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

The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) is the largest infrared telescope operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and is located near Nainital, Uttarakhand.

Multiple choice

Which Indian mathematician developed the concept of 'Ashtakavarga' and applied it to transportation?

  1. Aryabhata

  2. Bhaskara II

  3. Brahmagupta

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

Varahamihira, a renowned Indian astrologer and mathematician, developed the concept of Ashtakavarga and applied it to transportation. Ashtakavarga is a system of astrological calculations used to determine the auspiciousness of various activities, including travel and transportation.

Multiple choice

Which Indian mathematician developed the concept of 'Karanapaddhati' and applied it to transportation?

  1. Aryabhata

  2. Bhaskara II

  3. Brahmagupta

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

Varahamihira, a renowned Indian astrologer and mathematician, developed the concept of Karanapaddhati, which is a system of astronomical calculations. He applied these techniques to various fields, including transportation, where they were used for determining the auspicious time for travel and transportation activities.

Multiple choice

Which Indian mathematician developed the concept of 'Surya Siddhanta' and applied it to transportation?

  1. Aryabhata

  2. Bhaskara II

  3. Brahmagupta

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

Aryabhata, a renowned Indian mathematician and astronomer, developed the concept of Surya Siddhanta, which is a treatise on astronomy. He applied astronomical techniques to solve various problems related to transportation, such as determining the auspicious time for travel and transportation activities.

Multiple choice

Which Indian mathematician developed the concept of 'Brihat Samhita' and applied it to transportation?

  1. Aryabhata

  2. Bhaskara II

  3. Brahmagupta

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

Varahamihira, a renowned Indian astrologer and mathematician, developed the concept of Brihat Samhita, which is a treatise on various topics, including astrology, architecture, and transportation. He applied astrological techniques to determine the auspicious time for travel and transportation activities.

Multiple choice

Which space observatory was launched in 1999 and is designed to study X-ray emissions from celestial objects?

  1. Hubble Space Telescope

  2. Chandra X-ray Observatory

  3. Compton Gamma Ray Observatory

  4. Cosmic Background Explorer
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) was launched in 1999 and is designed to study X-ray emissions from celestial objects, such as black holes, neutron stars, and supernova remnants.