Astronomy And Space Science PYQs — 12 UPSC CSE Previous Year Questions

Question 1

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : Giant stars live much longer than dwarf stars. Statement-II : Compared to dwarf stars, giant stars have a greater rate of nuclear reactions. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

Accepted Answer

D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Question 2

Consider the following pairs: Objects in space Description 1. Cepheids Giant clouds of dust and gas in space 2. Nebulae Stars which brighten and dim periodically 3. Pulsars Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

A. Only one

Question 3

If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth ? GPS and navigation systems could fail. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions. Power grids could be damaged. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Accepted Answer

C. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only

Question 4

Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?

Accepted Answer

D. Speed of light is always same.

Question 5

An artificial satellite orbiting around the Earth does not fall down. This is so because the attraction of Earth does not exist at such distance is neutralized by the attraction of the moon provides the necessary speed for its steady motion provides the necessary acceleration for its motion

Accepted Answer

D. provides the necessary acceleration for its motion

Question 6

India-based Neutrino Observatory is included by the Planning Commission as a mega science project under the 11th Five-Year Plan. In this context, consider the following statements:

Neutrinos are charge-less elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light.
Neutrinos are created in nuclear reactions of beta decay.
Neutrinos have a negligible, but non-zero mass.
Trillions of neutrinos pass through the human body every second.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

D. 1, 2, 3 & 4

Question 7

Which one of the following planets has the largest number of natural satellites or moons?

Accepted Answer

A. Jupiter

Question 8

What is the average distance (approximate) between the Sun and the Earth?

Accepted Answer

D. 150 × 10⁶ km

Question 9

Which one of the following statements is correct with reference to our solar system?

Accepted Answer

A. The Earth is the densest of all the planets in our solar system

Question 10

A ‘black hole’ is a body in space which does not allow any radiation to come out. This property is due to its

Accepted Answer

C. very high density

Question 11

Which one of the following stars is nearest to the Earth?

Accepted Answer

C. Sun

Question 12

Consider the following statements:

A person in a spaceship located half way between the earth and the sun will notice that the:

Sky is jet black.
Stars do not twinkle
Temperature outside the spaceship is much higher than that on the surface of the earth.

Accepted Answer

D. 1, 2 and 3 are correct

Objects in space	Description
1. Cepheids	Giant clouds of dust and gas in space
2. Nebulae	Stars which brighten and dim periodically
3. Pulsars	Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse