Astrophysics Quizzes: Explore the Universe's Mysteries

Question 1

Which celestial object is NOT a type of star?

Accepted Answer

Black hole

Answer

Red dwarf

Answer

White dwarf

Answer

Neutron star

Question 2

Two stars of equal mass orbit each other. If the distance between them is doubled, what happens to the gravitational force between them?

Accepted Answer

It becomes one-fourth of its original value.

Answer

It becomes one-half of its original value.

Answer

It stays the same.

Question 3

Which telescope is designed to detect and observe objects in the infrared (IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum?

Accepted Answer

Herschel Space Observatory

Answer

Hubble Space Telescope

Answer

Chandra X-ray Observatory

Question 4

Which phenomenon has played the most significant role in advancing our understanding of high-energy particles in the universe through astrophysical observations?

Accepted Answer

Cosmic rays

Answer

White dwarf stars

Answer

Black holes

Question 5

How does dark energy contribute to the expansion of the universe?

Accepted Answer

Dark energy pushes galaxies apart, causing them to accelerate away from each other.

Answer

Dark energy pulls galaxies together.

Answer

Dark energy slows down the expansion of the universe.

Answer

Dark energy has no effect on the expansion of the universe.

Question 6

Cosmic inflation is a theory that describes a period of rapid expansion in the early universe. What is its primary significance?

Accepted Answer

Explaining the observed large-scale structure of the universe

Answer

Explaining the uneven distribution of matter in the universe

Answer

Explaining the origin of the cosmic microwave background radiation

Answer

Explaining the formation of the first stars and galaxies

Question 7

In space exploration, what are the ethical responsibilities of scientists and policymakers regarding the preservation of extraterrestrial environments and the potential impact of human activities?

Accepted Answer

They must minimize ecological impacts on extraterrestrial environments and respect the potential for extraterrestrial life.

Answer

Scientists and policymakers have no ethical responsibilities in space exploration.

Answer

Their ethical obligations focus solely on protecting astronauts' safety.

Answer

Space exploration is inherently unethical and should be discontinued.

Question 8

What is the name of the fundamental force that holds celestial bodies together?

Accepted Answer

Gravity

Answer

Centripetal Force

Answer

Electromagnetic Force

Answer

Nuclear Force

Question 9

Which astronomer proposed the heliocentric model of the solar system, suggesting that the Sun, not the Earth, is at the center?

Accepted Answer

Nicolaus Copernicus

Answer

Aristotle

Answer

Galileo Galilei

Answer

Albert Einstein

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the approximate temperature of the Sun's core?

Accepted Answer

10 million degrees Celsius

Answer

5,500 degrees Celsius

Answer

27 degrees Celsius

Answer

100 degrees Celsius

Question 11

What is the name of the largest known structure in the observable universe?

Accepted Answer

Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall

Answer

Milky Way Galaxy

Answer

Andromeda Galaxy

Answer

Great Attractor

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental property of stars?

Accepted Answer

Position

Answer

Mass

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Color

Question 13

What is the primary force that counteracts the gravitational collapse of stars?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear fusion

Answer

Gravity

Answer

Electromagnetism

Answer

Weak force

Question 14

Which type of galaxy is often characterized by its spiral shape and the presence of young, hot stars?

Accepted Answer

Spiral galaxy

Answer

Elliptical galaxy

Answer

Lenticular galaxy

Answer

Irregular galaxy

Question 15

What is the prevailing scientific theory that describes the origin and evolution of the universe?

Accepted Answer

Big Bang theory

Answer

Steady State theory

Answer

Geocentric Model

Answer

Heliocentric Model

Question 16

What is the term for the largest known astronomical structure, composed of galaxies and galaxy clusters?

Accepted Answer

Great Wall

Answer

Virgo Supercluster

Answer

Cosmic Microwave Background

Answer

Hubble Deep Field

Question 17

Which of the following methods is commonly used to determine the distance to stars?

Accepted Answer

Parallax method

Answer

Spectroscopic method

Answer

Photometric method

Answer

Doppler shift method

Question 18

Which type of astronomical telescope utilizes both lenses and mirrors to achieve magnification?

Accepted Answer

Catadioptric telescope

Answer

Refracting telescope

Answer

Reflecting telescope

Answer

Electron microscope

Question 19

In the context of the Big Bang theory, what is the term for the hypothetical point from which the universe is believed to have expanded?

Accepted Answer

Singularity

Answer

Black hole

Answer

Neutron star

Answer

Quasar

Question 20

What is the primary energy source for stars?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear fusion

Answer

Chemical reactions

Answer

Gravitational collapse

Answer

Solar wind

Question 21

Classify the Milky Way galaxy.

Accepted Answer

Spiral

Answer

Elliptical

Answer

Irregular

Answer

Lenticular

Question 22

Which measures the energy emitted by a star per unit time?

Accepted Answer

Luminosity

Answer

Magnitude

Answer

Parallax

Answer

Redshift

Question 23

Which is NOT a characteristic of black holes?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic field

Answer

Singularity

Answer

Event horizon

Answer

Photon sphere

Question 24

What does the cosmological constant represent, as proposed by Einstein?

Accepted Answer

Vacuum energy density

Answer

Spacetime curvature

Answer

Universe expansion rate

Answer

Gravitational force of black holes

Question 25

Which fundamental force is primarily responsible for binding galaxies together?

Accepted Answer

Gravitational force

Answer

Electromagnetic force

Answer

Strong nuclear force

Answer

Weak nuclear force

Question 26

Identify the astronomical object characterized by an exceptionally high redshift value.

Accepted Answer

Quasar

Answer

Black hole

Answer

Neutron star

Answer

Supernova

Question 27

What is the approximate age of the universe, according to current scientific estimates?

Accepted Answer

13.8 billion years

Answer

4.6 billion years

Answer

27.6 billion years

Answer

55.2 billion years

Question 28

Which of the following instruments is not commonly employed in astrophysical research?

Accepted Answer

Microscope

Answer

Telescope

Answer

Spectrometer

Answer

Radio telescope

Question 29

What is the name of the galaxy that hosts our solar system?

Accepted Answer

Milky Way Galaxy

Answer

Andromeda Galaxy

Answer

Large Magellanic Cloud

Answer

Small Magellanic Cloud

Question 30

Identify the primary source of energy that powers stars.

Accepted Answer

Nuclear fusion

Answer

Chemical reactions

Answer

Gravitational collapse

Answer

Solar power

Question 31

Who is credited with proposing the heliocentric model of the solar system, which placed the Sun at its center?

Accepted Answer

Nicolaus Copernicus

Answer

Aristotle

Answer

Ptolemy

Answer

Galileo Galilei

Question 32

The primary source of energy in stars is:

Accepted Answer

Nuclear fusion

Answer

Gravitational collapse

Answer

Chemical reactions

Answer

Magnetic fields

Question 33

A black hole is a region of:

Accepted Answer

Extremely high density

Answer

Infinite temperature

Answer

Zero gravity

Answer

Negative mass

Question 34

According to the Big Bang theory, the universe began approximately:

Accepted Answer

13.8 billion years ago

Answer

100 million years ago

Answer

4.6 billion years ago

Answer

100 billion years ago

Question 35

The method used to measure the distance to a star is:

Accepted Answer

Parallax

Answer

Doppler shift

Answer

Spectroscopy

Answer

Photometry

Question 36

The Doppler shift primarily provides information about a celestial object's:

Accepted Answer

Radial velocity

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Luminosity

Answer

Mass

Question 37

Which of these processes is NOT a factor in the formation and evolution of planetary systems?

Accepted Answer

Stellar capture

Answer

Accretion

Answer

Planetesimal formation

Question 38

How does gravitational lensing impact the light from distant galaxies, and how can this phenomenon be harnessed to study the properties of the galaxies in between?

Accepted Answer

Gravitational lensing distorts the light from distant galaxies, making them appear stretched, magnified, or multiple.

Answer

Gravitational lensing only affects light from nearby galaxies.

Answer

Gravitational lensing cannot be used to study the properties of intervening galaxies.

Question 39

The apparent circular motion of stars around the North Star is caused by:

Accepted Answer

Earth’s rotation on its axis

Answer

Earth’s revolution around the Sun

Answer

Precession of Earth’s axis

Answer

Orbital motion of the stars

Question 40

Which type of star has the highest surface temperature?

Accepted Answer

Blue supergiant

Answer

Red dwarf

Answer

Yellow star

Answer

White star

Question 41

The Milky Way galaxy is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Spiral galaxy

Answer

Elliptical galaxy

Answer

Irregular galaxy

Answer

Lenticular galaxy

Question 42

Which instrument is used to measure the distance to stars?

Accepted Answer

Parallax method

Answer

Spectroscope

Answer

Doppler shift spectroscopy

Answer

Telescope

Question 43

The chemical composition of a star can be analyzed by studying its:

Accepted Answer

Absorption spectrum

Answer

Luminosity

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Emission spectrum

Question 44

'Redshift' refers to:

Accepted Answer

A shift of a galaxy's spectrum towards longer wavelengths

Answer

A shift of a galaxy's spectrum towards shorter wavelengths

Answer

An increase in a galaxy's luminosity over time

Answer

A decrease in a galaxy's luminosity over time

Question 45

Characterize an irregular galaxy:

Accepted Answer

Irregular: no definite shape, active star formation, and lots of gas and dust

Answer

Elliptical: round in shape with little star formation

Answer

Spiral: flat disc with spiral arms and active star formation

Answer

Lenticular: elliptical in shape with a central bulge but no spiral arms

Question 46

Which theory describes the observed expansion and origin of the universe?

Accepted Answer

Big Bang theory

Answer

Steady-state theory

Answer

Cyclic universe theory

Answer

Oscillating universe theory

Question 47

What term describes the rotational velocity of a star around its axis?

Accepted Answer

Vsin(i)

Answer

Radial velocity

Answer

Proper motion

Answer

Angular momentum

Question 48

Which electromagnetic radiation type is NOT typically emitted by celestial objects?

Accepted Answer

Gravitational waves

Answer

Radio waves

Answer

Infrared radiation

Answer

X-rays

Question 49

Name the celestial sphere used as a reference point for measuring object positions in the sky:

Accepted Answer

Celestial sphere

Answer

Horizon

Answer

Equatorial plane

Answer

Ecliptic

Question 50

Which instrument detects and analyzes cosmic microwave background radiation?

Accepted Answer

Atacama Large Millimeter Array

Answer

Hubble Space Telescope

Answer

Spitzer Space Telescope

Answer

Chandra X-ray Observatory

Question 51

Which law states that the apparent brightness of an object decreases as the square of its distance from the observer?

Accepted Answer

Inverse square law

Answer

Stefan-Boltzmann law

Answer

Wien's displacement law

Answer

Hubble's law

Question 52

Which of the following is NOT a property of a star?

Accepted Answer

Speed

Answer

Luminosity

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Density

Question 53

What is the primary force that governs the interactions between celestial bodies in the universe?

Accepted Answer

Gravity

Answer

Electromagnetism

Answer

Weak force

Answer

Strong nuclear force

Question 54

Which type of galaxy is known for its irregular shape and absence of a prominent central bulge?

Accepted Answer

Irregular galaxy

Answer

Elliptical galaxy

Answer

Spiral galaxy

Answer

Lenticular galaxy

Question 55

What is the estimated age of the universe, according to current scientific consensus?

Accepted Answer

13.8 billion years

Answer

10 billion years

Answer

16 billion years

Answer

20 billion years

Question 56

What is the designation of the supermassive black hole located at the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way?

Accepted Answer

Sagittarius A*

Answer

Cygnus X-1

Answer

V404 Cygni

Answer

M87

Question 57

Which of the following factors does NOT affect the temperature of a star?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Mass

Answer

Radius

Answer

Composition

Question 58

What is the primary process by which stars generate energy?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear fusion

Answer

Gravitational collapse

Answer

Electromagnetic radiation

Answer

Radioactive decay

Question 59

What is the name of the theory that proposes the universe originated from a hot, dense state and has been expanding ever since?

Accepted Answer

Big Bang Theory

Answer

Steady State Theory

Answer

Einstein's Theory of General Relativity

Answer

Quantum Theory

Question 60

How does dark matter contribute to the formation and evolution of galaxies?

Accepted Answer

By providing the gravitational force to hold galaxies together

Answer

By emitting visible light that can be observed by astronomers

Answer

By absorbing radiation and heating galaxies

Answer

By creating the heavy elements found in stars

Question 61

Identify the force that is NOT a fundamental force in the universe:

Accepted Answer

Tidal force

Answer

Gravitational force

Answer

Electromagnetic force

Answer

Nuclear force

Question 62

Which diagram is used to classify stars based on their luminosity and temperature?

Accepted Answer

Hertzsprung-Russell diagram

Answer

Mass-radius diagram

Answer

Composition-age diagram

Answer

Distance-Earth diagram

Question 63

Which type of galaxy is the largest?

Accepted Answer

Elliptical galaxy

Answer

Spiral galaxy

Answer

Irregular galaxy

Answer

Lenticular galaxy

Question 64

What does the redshift of an object indicate?

Accepted Answer

Direction of movement (towards or away from observer)

Answer

Distance from the observer

Answer

Size and luminosity of the object

Answer

Composition of the object