1. With reference to the Lucy Spacecraft Mission, consider the following statements:
- The spacecraft is named after the famous fossil “Lucy,” discovered in Ethiopia, which provides insights into early human evolution.
- The Lucy mission aims to study Trojan asteroids that orbit the Sun in the same path as Jupiter.
- The Lucy spacecraft will complete all its asteroid flybys by the year 2025.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]
Notes:
The spacecraft is indeed named after the fossil “Lucy,” discovered in Ethiopia, symbolizing the mission’s intent on shedding light on the origins of the planetary system, much like the fossil opens up insights on early human evolution. Its primary mission is to study Trojan asteroids orbiting in the same path as Jupiter. However, the Lucy spacecraft is not projected to complete all its asteroid flybys by 2025 but will continue its mission through 2033.
2. Consider the following statements regarding TOI-2005 b, recently discovered using the TESS telescope:
- It is classified as a “warm Jupiter” due to its size and proximity to its host star.
- Its orbit is nearly circular with very little variation in distance from the star.
- It completes one orbit around its star in less than 20 days.
- The planet receives a relatively constant level of stellar irradiation throughout its orbit.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 3
[B] 1, 2 and 4
[C] 2, 3 and 4
[D] Only 1 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
TOI-2005 b is known as a ‘warm Jupiter’ owing to its size and proximity to its host star, mirroring characteristics of Jupiter, and completes one orbit around the star in approximately 17.3 days which justifies Option 1. It does not maintain an almost circular orbit, nor does it experience consistent stellar irradiation, discrediting Statements 2 and 4.
3. With reference to celestial bodies and their characteristics, consider the following statements:
- Saturn’s rings are primarily composed of water ice and rock fragments.
- Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, is known for its active cryovolcanoes and subsurface ocean.
- Europa, a moon of Jupiter, is believed to have a subsurface ocean and is a target for astrobiological studies.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three]
Notes:- Saturn’s rings are primarily composed of water ice and rock fragments: This is correct. The rings consist mainly of ice particles, some mixed with dust and rock.
- Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, is known for its active cryovolcanoes and subsurface ocean: This is correct. Enceladus has geysers that eject water vapor, indicating a subsurface ocean.
- Europa, a moon of Jupiter, is believed to have a subsurface ocean and is a target for astrobiological studies: This is correct. Europa’s ocean is a prime candidate for the search for extraterrestrial life.
4. With respect to Space Mission, which of the following pairs is/are correct?
| Missions | Countries/Agencies Involved |
|---|
| 1. Pandora | NASA’s mission to analyze exoplanet atmospheres |
| 2. JUICE | China’s mission to explore Jupiter’s icy moons |
| 3. ExoWorlds | India’s Mission to examine exoplanet atmospheres for habitability |
| 4. White Stork | Japan’s spaceship to collect and clear space junk |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only three]
Notes:- Pandora – NASA: Correct- Pandora is a NASA mission aimed at analyzing the atmospheres of at least 20 exoplanets, primarily gas giants and super-Earths. It helps in studying atmospheric composition and habitability.
- White Stork – Japan: Correct- White Stork is a Japanese mission focused on collecting and clearing space debris (space junk) from Earth’s orbit. It is designed to reduce the risk of satellite collisions in space.
- ExoWorlds – India: Correct- India’s planned mission to study exoplanets is called “ExoWorlds”. It is focused on studying exoplanet atmospheres to determine their habitability and potential for life.
- JUICE – China: Incorrect-JUICE (JUpiter ICy Moons Explorer) is a mission by the European Space Agency (ESA), not China. It aims to explore Jupiter’s icy moons, particularly Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa.
5. With reference to exoplanets, consider the following statements:
- Statement-I: WASP-127b is classified as a “hot Jupiter” due to its close orbit around its star.
- Statement-II: Hot Jupiters are typically smaller in diameter compared to gas giants like Jupiter.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[A] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
[B] Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
[C] Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
[D] Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect]
Notes:Statement-I:- This statement is correct.
- WASP-127b’s close orbit creates extreme temperatures, classifying it as a hot Jupiter.
Statement-II:
- This statement is incorrect.
- Hot Jupiters are generally larger in diameter than traditional gas giants, with WASP-127b being 30% larger than Jupiter.
6. Which space organization has launched the Europa Clipper Mission to explore Jupiter’s moon?
[A] ISRO
[B] NASA
[C] CNSA
[D] ESA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NASA]
Notes:
NASA launched the Europa Clipper spacecraft to explore Jupiter’s moon, Europa, and its potential to sustain life. The spacecraft will travel 3 billion kilometers in a nearly 10-year mission. Europa is believed to have a deep ocean, possibly 120 km beneath its icy surface. In 2013, Hubble detected geysers on Europa, suggesting thermal vents that could support life. The mission aims to study these vents for signs of life. Europa Clipper is NASA’s largest spacecraft, powered by solar panels, with a budget of $5.2 billion.
7. Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) Mission, recently seen in the news, was developed by which space agency?
[A] China National Space Administration
[B] Indian Space Research Organisation
[C] European Space Agency
[D] National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [European Space Agency]
Notes:
The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is set for a crucial flyby of Earth on August 20, 2024. This mission, aimed at exploring Jupiter and its moons Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede, seeks to investigate the potential for life and understand Jupiter’s origins. JUICE will study Jupiter’s magnetic, radiation, and plasma environments, and in about four years, it will enter orbit around Ganymede, marking the first probe to orbit a planetary moon other than Earth’s. The mission will provide unprecedented insights into one of the largest moons in our solar system.
8. Recently, which space organization is planning to carry a ‘message in a bottle’ to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moon in October 2024?
[A] NASA
[B] ISRO
[C] JAXA
[D] ESA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [NASA]
Notes:
In October 2024, NASA’s Europa Clipper mission will journey to Jupiter’s moon, Europa, aiming to uncover signs of life. It’s speculated there’s a salty lake beneath its icy crust. The spacecraft carries a metal plate featuring a poem by US Poet Laureate Ada Limón and over 2.6 million names etched on a silicon microchip. Notably, it also includes 103 waveforms representing the word “water” in various languages, including Hindi, showcasing an Indian connection.
9. Which country has discovered JuMBOs (Jupiter Mass Binary Objects)?
[A] Australia
[B] USA
[C] Japan
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
NASA’s James Webb Telescope has made a remarkable discovery by detecting Jupiter-sized objects in space called JuMBOs (Jupiter Mass Binary Objects).
They were discovered during James Webb’s survey of the Orion Nebula.
10. Which company is preparing to launch the world’s largest privately-owned satellite called JUPITER-3?
[A] Space X
[B] Virgin Galactic
[C] Blue Origin
[D] Boeing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Space X]
Notes:
SpaceX is preparing to launch the world’s largest privately-owned satellite, called JUPITER-3. This impressive satellite will be sent into space aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A in Florida.
This launch will be the seventh for the robust triple-booster rocket.
