General Awareness ยท Physics

Space Exploration and Astronomy

4,144 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

In the 2017 film (Life), what is the name of the alien organism that threatens the crew of the International Space Station?

  1. Calvin

  2. Marvin

  3. Hugo

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

Calvin is the name of the alien organism in (Life) that poses a threat to the crew of the International Space Station.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the space shuttle that exploded shortly after liftoff in 1986?

  1. Columbia

  2. Challenger

  3. Discovery

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

The Challenger space shuttle exploded shortly after liftoff on January 28, 1986, resulting in the tragic loss of all seven crew members.

Multiple choice

Which telescope was the first to use a parabolic mirror?

  1. Herschel's telescope

  2. Hubble Space Telescope

  3. Yerkes Observatory telescope

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

Herschel's telescope was the first to use a parabolic mirror, which significantly reduced spherical aberration and improved image quality.

Multiple choice

What is the primary mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope made of?

  1. Gold

  2. Silver

  3. Beryllium

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

The primary mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope is made of beryllium, which is lightweight and has a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Multiple choice

Which telescope was the first to directly image an exoplanet?

  1. Hubble Space Telescope

  2. Spitzer Space Telescope

  3. Kepler Space Telescope

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

The Very Large Telescope was the first to directly image an exoplanet, known as 2M1207b, in 2004.

Multiple choice

Which telescope was the first to discover water vapor on an exoplanet?

  1. Hubble Space Telescope

  2. Spitzer Space Telescope

  3. James Webb Space Telescope

  4. Very Large Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The James Webb Space Telescope was the first to discover water vapor on an exoplanet, specifically the exoplanet WASP-96b, in 2022.

Multiple choice

Which of the following space missions is specifically designed for asteroseismic exoplanet detection?

  1. Kepler Mission

  2. TESS Mission

  3. CHEOPS Mission

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

The PLATO Mission (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) is specifically designed for asteroseismic exoplanet detection. It aims to study the interiors and oscillations of stars, including the detection and characterization of exoplanets through asteroseismology.

Multiple choice

Which coin commemorates the first manned moon landing in 1969?

  1. Apollo 11 Commemorative Silver Dollar

  2. Apollo 11 Commemorative Gold Medal

  3. Apollo 11 Commemorative Half Dollar

  4. Apollo 11 Commemorative Quarter Dollar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Apollo 11 Commemorative Silver Dollar was minted in 1969 to honor the historic achievement of the first manned moon landing.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the coin series that celebrates the achievements of the United States Space Program?

  1. American Eagle Coin Series

  2. American Buffalo Coin Series

  3. American Innovation Coin Series

  4. American Space Exploration Coin Series
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The American Space Exploration Coin Series was launched in 2011 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first manned space flight by an American.

Multiple choice

Which coin features an image of the Earth from space?

  1. Earth Day Commemorative Dollar

  2. National Parks Quarter Series: Grand Canyon

  3. Sacagawea Golden Dollar

  4. American Eagle Silver Dollar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Earth Day Commemorative Dollar, issued in 2010, features an image of the Earth from space on its reverse.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the coin that commemorates the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope?

  1. Hubble Space Telescope Commemorative Silver Dollar

  2. Hubble Space Telescope Commemorative Gold Medal

  3. Hubble Space Telescope Commemorative Half Dollar

  4. Hubble Space Telescope Commemorative Quarter Dollar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Hubble Space Telescope Commemorative Silver Dollar was minted in 1990 to mark the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Multiple choice

Which coin features an image of the International Space Station?

  1. International Space Station Commemorative Dollar

  2. International Space Station Commemorative Gold Medal

  3. International Space Station Commemorative Half Dollar

  4. International Space Station Commemorative Quarter Dollar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The International Space Station Commemorative Dollar, issued in 2000, features an image of the International Space Station on its reverse.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the coin series that celebrates the achievements of women in space?

  1. Women in Space Coin Series

  2. Women in STEM Coin Series

  3. Women's History Coin Series

  4. Women's Suffrage Coin Series
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Women in Space Coin Series was launched in 2020 to honor the contributions of women to space exploration.

Multiple choice

Which coin features an image of the Mars rover Curiosity?

  1. Mars Rover Curiosity Commemorative Dollar

  2. Mars Rover Curiosity Commemorative Gold Medal

  3. Mars Rover Curiosity Commemorative Half Dollar

  4. Mars Rover Curiosity Commemorative Quarter Dollar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Mars Rover Curiosity Commemorative Dollar, issued in 2012, features an image of the Mars rover Curiosity on its reverse.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the coin that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first spacewalk?

  1. Spacewalk Commemorative Dollar

  2. Spacewalk Commemorative Gold Medal

  3. Spacewalk Commemorative Half Dollar

  4. Spacewalk Commemorative Quarter Dollar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Spacewalk Commemorative Dollar, issued in 2015, marks the 50th anniversary of the first spacewalk.