General Awareness ยท Physics

Space Exploration and Astronomy

3,952 Questions

Review significant milestones in space exploration, including artificial satellites, reusable space shuttles, and historic lunar landings. This topic also covers astronomical phenomena and telescopic observations. Such scientific general knowledge is commonly tested in SSC, railways, and banking examinations.

Space shuttle missionsArtificial satellitesLunar and planetary landingsSpace telescopes and observatories

Space Exploration and Astronomy Questions

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian asteroid that was discovered in 2021?

  1. 2021 AY1.

  2. 2021 BY1.

  3. 2021 CY1.

  4. 2021 DY1.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

2021 AY1 is an asteroid that was discovered by Indian astronomers in 2021. It is a near-Earth asteroid that poses a potential threat to Earth.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the space telescope that was launched in 1990 and is still in operation today?

  1. Hubble Space Telescope

  2. James Webb Space Telescope

  3. Chandra X-ray Observatory

  4. Spitzer Space Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990 and is still in operation today. It has revolutionized our understanding of the universe, providing stunning images and data that have helped us learn more about the cosmos.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the first person to walk on the moon?

  1. Neil Armstrong

  2. Buzz Aldrin

  3. Michael Collins

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

Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon, on July 20, 1969, during the Apollo 11 mission.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the space probe that was launched in 2012 and is currently exploring the outer solar system?

  1. Voyager 1

  2. Voyager 2

  3. New Horizons

  4. Cassini-Huygens
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

New Horizons is a space probe that was launched in 2012 and is currently exploring the outer solar system. It made a historic flyby of Pluto in 2015 and is now on its way to the Kuiper Belt.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the space station that is currently orbiting Earth and is home to astronauts from various countries?

  1. International Space Station

  2. Mir Space Station

  3. Skylab Space Station

  4. Salyut Space Station
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The International Space Station is a space station that is currently orbiting Earth and is home to astronauts from various countries. It is a symbol of international cooperation and has been continuously inhabited since 2000.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the space telescope that is scheduled to be launched in 2021 and will study the early universe?

  1. James Webb Space Telescope

  2. Hubble Space Telescope

  3. Chandra X-ray Observatory

  4. Spitzer Space Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The James Webb Space Telescope is a space telescope that is scheduled to be launched in 2021 and will study the early universe. It is designed to see the first stars and galaxies that formed after the Big Bang.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the space mission that is currently exploring Mars and has found evidence of past water activity on the planet?

  1. Curiosity rover

  2. Opportunity rover

  3. Spirit rover

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

The Curiosity rover is a space mission that is currently exploring Mars and has found evidence of past water activity on the planet. It landed on Mars in 2012 and has been exploring the planet's surface ever since.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the space probe that was launched in 2018 and is currently exploring the Sun?

  1. Parker Solar Probe

  2. Helios Solar Probe

  3. Ulysses Solar Probe

  4. Voyager Solar Probe
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Parker Solar Probe is a space probe that was launched in 2018 and is currently exploring the Sun. It is designed to study the Sun's corona and to learn more about the solar wind.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the space telescope that is currently studying the black hole at the center of our galaxy?

  1. Event Horizon Telescope

  2. Hubble Space Telescope

  3. Chandra X-ray Observatory

  4. Spitzer Space Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Event Horizon Telescope is a space telescope that is currently studying the black hole at the center of our galaxy. It is a collaboration of several telescopes around the world that work together to create a single, high-resolution image of the black hole.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the space mission that is currently exploring Jupiter and its moons?

  1. Juno mission

  2. Galileo mission

  3. Cassini-Huygens mission

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

The Juno mission is a space mission that is currently exploring Jupiter and its moons. It arrived at Jupiter in 2016 and has been studying the planet's atmosphere, interior, and magnetic field.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the space telescope that is currently studying the cosmic microwave background radiation?

  1. Planck satellite

  2. WMAP satellite

  3. COBE satellite

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

The Planck satellite is a space telescope that is currently studying the cosmic microwave background radiation. It was launched in 2009 and has been mapping the CMB with unprecedented accuracy.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the space mission that is currently exploring Saturn and its moons?

  1. Cassini-Huygens mission

  2. Voyager mission

  3. Pioneer mission

  4. New Horizons mission
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Cassini-Huygens mission is a space mission that is currently exploring Saturn and its moons. It arrived at Saturn in 2004 and has been studying the planet, its rings, and its moons ever since.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the space mission that is currently exploring Uranus and Neptune?

  1. Voyager 2 mission

  2. Pioneer 10 mission

  3. Pioneer 11 mission

  4. New Horizons mission
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Voyager 2 mission is a space mission that is currently exploring Uranus and Neptune. It was launched in 1977 and has been traveling through the outer solar system ever since.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the space mission that is currently exploring Pluto and the Kuiper Belt?

  1. New Horizons mission

  2. Voyager 1 mission

  3. Voyager 2 mission

  4. Cassini-Huygens mission
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The New Horizons mission is a space mission that is currently exploring Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. It was launched in 2006 and made a historic flyby of Pluto in 2015.

Multiple choice

Which article of the Outer Space Treaty specifically addresses the prohibition of weapons in space?

  1. Article II

  2. Article IV

  3. Article VI

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

Article IV of the Outer Space Treaty states that 'States Parties to the Treaty undertake not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner.'