11. Which telescope was used to discover Asteroid 2024 YR4?
[A] Hubble Space Telescope
[B] ATLAS Telescope
[C] James Webb Space Telescope
[D] Chandra X-ray Observatory
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ATLAS Telescope]
Notes:
On April 2, 2025, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reported that asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 3.8% chance of hitting the Moon on December 22, 2032. YR4 is a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) discovered in December 2024 using the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile. It is classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO) because its orbit brings it close to Earth—within 1.3 times the Earth-Sun distance. In February 2025, YR4 triggered NASA’s highest-ever asteroid impact alert. Infrared data from the James Webb Space Telescope estimates its size at around 65 metres, similar to a 10-storey building. Since it is below 140 metres in size, it is not labeled a “Potentially Hazardous Asteroid.” Earlier, it had a 1% chance of hitting Earth, but updated analysis now shows almost no threat to our planet.
12. 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.
13. Consider the following about NASA’s Lucy spacecraft:
- It carries lyrics from a Beatles song.
- It is equipped with lab-grown diamonds.
- It was launched to study asteroids that are relics of early solar system formation.
- It is designed for direct sampling and return of asteroid material to Earth.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] 1, 2 and 3 only
[B] 2, 3 and 4 only
[C] 1 and 4 only
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2 and 3 only]
Notes:
The first three statements about NASA’s Lucy spacecraft are correct. It does carry lyrics from a Beatles song, it is equipped with lab-grown diamonds, and it was launched specifically for studying asteroids that are remains from the early formation of the solar system. However, the fourth statement is incorrect; Lucy was not designed to directly sample and return asteroid material to Earth. Instead, it observes the asteroids remotely.
14. In light of recent astronomical discoveries, consider the following statements:
- The Kuiper Belt is a region beyond Neptune that contains many small icy bodies.
- Asteroids are primarily found in the Oort Cloud, which is located far beyond the Kuiper Belt.
- Comets are made of ice, dust, and rock, originating from the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud.
- The first asteroid discovered, Ceres, is classified as a dwarf planet.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only three]
Notes:
- The Kuiper Belt is a region beyond Neptune that contains many small icy bodies: This is correct. The Kuiper Belt is home to many known objects, including dwarf planets like Pluto.
- Asteroids are primarily found in the Oort Cloud, which is located far beyond the Kuiper Belt: This is incorrect. Asteroids are mainly found in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter, not the Oort Cloud.
- Comets are made of ice, dust, and rock, originating from the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud: This is correct. Comets originate from both the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud, and they release gas and dust when near the Sun.
- The first asteroid discovered, Ceres, is classified as a dwarf planet: This is correct. Ceres was the first asteroid discovered and is now classified as a dwarf planet due to its size and shape.
15. Which space agency has recently announced a mission to study the Apophis asteroid?
[A] National Aeronautics and Space Administration
[B] European Space Agency
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation
[D] China National Space Administration
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [European Space Agency]
Notes:
The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced a mission to study the Apophis asteroid during its close flyby of Earth in 2029. This mission follows NASA’s commitment to Apophis, which was once feared to be on a collision course with Earth. In 2029, Apophis will pass within 32,000 km of our planet, providing a rare opportunity to study such a large asteroid up close. ESA noted that asteroids of this size approach Earth at such close distances only once every 5,000 to 10,000 years.
16. Recently, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named an asteroid after which Indian scientist?
[A] Harish Chandra
[B] Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan
[C] Jayant Murthy
[D] Avadh Saxena
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jayant Murthy]
Notes:
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) honored Indian astrophysicist Professor Jayant Murthy by naming asteroid (215884) Jayantmurthy after him. Discovered in 2005 by MW Buie at Kitt Peak National Observatory, the asteroid orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter every 3.3 years. The renaming signifies Murthy’s significant contributions to the field of astrophysics, highlighting his global impact on celestial studies.
17. Scientists recently detected water molecules on the surface of two asteroids for the first time ever by using which telescope?
[A] SOFIA
[B] HEAO 3
[C] HETE 2
[D] CHIPS
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [SOFIA]
Notes:
NASA’s SOFIA airborne observatory, a telescope mounted on a Boeing 747 SP aircraft, recently discovered water molecules on the surfaces of two asteroids, marking the first such detection. Operating for 12 years until its premature end in 2022, SOFIA, jointly operated by NASA and the German space agency, studied infrared light, allowing astronomers to observe the universe from 38,000-45,000 feet, above most of Earth’s infrared-blocking atmosphere. It was the world’s largest airborne astronomical observatory, facilitating unique studies of celestial bodies and transient events globally.
18. What name has been given to the moon of asteroid named Dinkinesh discovered recently by NASA’s Lucy spacecraft?
[A] Amani
[B] Mwanga
[C] Kesho
[D] Selam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Selam ]
Notes:
NASA’s Lucy spacecraft recently discovered that an asteroid named Dinkinesh, which it flew past last month, has a tiny “contact binary” moon – two space rocks gently rested against each other. The International Astronomical Union approved the name “Selam” for this moon, meaning “peace” in Ethiopia’s language.
The names Dinkinesh and Selam refer to two famous hominid fossils discovered in Ethiopia. Dinkinesh is the Ethiopian name for the 3.18 million-year-old Lucy fossil that the Lucy mission is named after. Selam was a 3-year-old girl’s fossil found in 2000 in Dikika, belonging to the same species as Lucy and dating over 100,000 years earlier than her.
19. Which country is set to launch a spacecraft to study the metal-rich asteroid ’16 Psyche’?
[A] India
[B] USA
[C] Russia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
NASA is preparing to launch a cutting-edge spacecraft named Psyche on a groundbreaking mission to study the asteroid named ‘16 Psyche’.
This first-of-its-kind endeavour will explore a metal-rich asteroid, providing valuable insights into the formation of rocky objects in our solar system.
20. हर साल विश्व क्षुद्रग्रह दिवस (World Asteroid Day) कब मनाया जाता है?
[A] 15 जून
[B] 30 जून
[C] 15 जुलाई
[D] 30 जुलाई
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [30 जून]
Notes:
‘विश्व क्षुद्रग्रह दिवस’ एक वार्षिक वैश्विक कार्यक्रम है जो 30 जून को मनाया जाता है। यह 1908 में तुंगुस्का घटना की सालगिरह है जब एक उल्का विस्फोट ने रूस के मध्य साइबेरिया में लगभग 2,000 वर्ग किमी (500,000 एकड़) देवदार के जंगल को नष्ट कर दिया था।
