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

What is the name of the asteroid that collided with Jupiter in 1994, creating a series of dark spots on the planet's surface?

  1. Shoemaker-Levy 9

  2. Hyakutake

  3. Hale-Bopp

  4. Swift-Tuttle
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Shoemaker-Levy 9 was the asteroid that collided with Jupiter in 1994, creating a series of dark spots on the planet's surface.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the asteroid that is the target of the OSIRIS-REx mission, which aims to return a sample of its material to Earth?

  1. Bennu

  2. Ryugu

  3. Itokawa

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

Bennu is the asteroid that is the target of the OSIRIS-REx mission, which aims to return a sample of its material to Earth.

Multiple choice

Which asteroid is known for its high concentration of precious metals, such as platinum and gold?

  1. Psyche

  2. Vesta

  3. Ceres

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

Psyche is known for its high concentration of precious metals, such as platinum and gold.

Multiple choice

Which asteroid is known for its rapid rotation, completing a full rotation in just 4 hours?

  1. Eros

  2. Ida

  3. Gaspra

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

Eros is known for its rapid rotation, completing a full rotation in just 4 hours.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the asteroid that is the target of the Hayabusa2 mission, which successfully returned a sample of its material to Earth in 2020?

  1. Ryugu

  2. Bennu

  3. Itokawa

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

Ryugu is the name of the asteroid that is the target of the Hayabusa2 mission, which successfully returned a sample of its material to Earth in 2020.

Multiple choice

Which asteroid is known for its unusual composition, containing a significant amount of water ice?

  1. Ceres

  2. Vesta

  3. Pallas

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

Ceres is known for its unusual composition, containing a significant amount of water ice.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the asteroid that is the target of the Lucy mission, which aims to explore a group of Trojan asteroids sharing Jupiter's orbit?

  1. Eurybates

  2. Patroclus

  3. Hector

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

Eurybates is the name of the asteroid that is the target of the Lucy mission, which aims to explore a group of Trojan asteroids sharing Jupiter's orbit.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the proposed space telescope designed to study the early universe and search for signs of life beyond Earth?

  1. Hubble Space Telescope

  2. James Webb Space Telescope

  3. Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

  4. Large Synoptic Survey Telescope
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The James Webb Space Telescope is a next-generation space telescope designed to study the early universe and search for signs of life beyond Earth.

Multiple choice

Which country issued the first coin featuring an astronaut?

  1. United States

  2. Soviet Union

  3. Japan

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

The Soviet Union issued the first coin featuring an astronaut in 1961 to commemorate the flight of Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the first American coin to feature an astronaut?

  1. Mercury Dime

  2. Apollo Half Dollar

  3. Eisenhower Dollar

  4. Kennedy Half Dollar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Apollo Half Dollar was issued in 1970 to commemorate the first manned landing on the moon. It featured an astronaut on the obverse and an eagle landing on the moon on the reverse.

Multiple choice

Which country issued the first coin to commemorate the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope?

  1. United States

  2. Canada

  3. European Space Agency

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

The United States issued a commemorative coin in 1990 to celebrate the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope. The coin featured an image of the telescope on the obverse and a view of Earth from space on the reverse.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first manned moon landing?

  1. Lunar Voyage Dollar

  2. Apollo 11 Commemorative Coin

  3. Moon Landing Anniversary Coin

  4. Space Exploration Coin
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Royal Canadian Mint issued the Lunar Voyage Dollar in 2019 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first manned moon landing. The coin featured an image of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin planting the American flag on the moon.

Multiple choice

Which country issued the first coin to feature a female astronaut?

  1. United States

  2. Soviet Union

  3. Japan

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

The Soviet Union issued a coin in 1963 featuring Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the coin issued by the United States Mint to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first space shuttle mission?

  1. Space Shuttle Quarter

  2. Space Shuttle Dollar

  3. Space Shuttle Half Dollar

  4. Space Shuttle Dime
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The United States Mint issued the Space Shuttle Dollar in 1991 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first space shuttle mission. The coin featured an image of the space shuttle on the obverse and an astronaut on the reverse.

Multiple choice

Which country issued the first coin to feature a Martian rover?

  1. United States

  2. China

  3. European Space Agency

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

The United States issued a coin in 2013 featuring the Mars Curiosity rover. The coin was part of the America the Beautiful Quarters series and featured an image of the rover on the reverse.