THE SCIENCE QUIZ

Space observatories: our eyes in the sky

QUESTION 1

This observatory studies the universe in gamma rays from lowearth orbit. It shot to fame by discovering the first pulsar that emitted only gammaray radiation. Name the observatory.

QUESTION 2

Japan launched this probe in 2010 to study interplanetary dust and gammaray bursts, among other things. But its main claim to fame? It was the first spacecraft to successfully use a solar sail to propel itself. A solar sail is a sail that uses the solar radiation pressure like a sailboat uses wind to move. Name the probe.

QUESTION 3 This spacecraft is India’s first

dedicated space telescope. Launched in 2015, it was distinguished by the fact that it’s a multiwavelength telescope: it can study various phenomena in the universe in several wavelengths, providing a more complete picture of their causes and effects. Name it.

QUESTION 4

The European Space Agency launched this observatory in 2013 for astrometry, i.e. precisely tracking the relative positions and motion of stars and planets. With this information, scientists hope to prepare a “3D space catalogue”. Name the observatory.

QUESTION 5

Between 1990 and 2003, NASA launched four powerful telescopes to study the universe in specific wavelengths. Which is the one that studies the universe in Xrays? Hint: NASA recently announced it would shut operations with this telescope due to budget cuts.

Answers to March 19 quiz:

1. Coral reef system declared a World Heritage Site in 1981 – Ans:

Great Barrier Reef

2. Leading cause of coral bleaching – Ans: Rising ocean temperature

3. Creatures primarily responsible for building coral reefs – Ans: Coral polyps

4. Australiabased scientist dubbed the “reef sentinel” – Ans: Terry

Hughes

5. Another name for coral reefs because they protect coastlines – Ans: Rainforests of the oceans

Visual: Fagatele Bay

First contact: K.N. Viswanathan | Vikas Singh | Yogapriya K. | Ashraf Basha | Vijayram Ganasala

NASA Please send in your answers to science@thehindu.co.in Visual: Name this American astronomer whose 1946 paper set the stage for the world’s first space telescopes. He also has a Great Observatory named for him.