International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO)

Description: The International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO) is an annual astronomy competition for high school students. It is held in a different country each year, and students from over 50 countries participate. The IAO consists of a written exam and an observational exam. The written exam covers topics such as stellar astronomy, planetary astronomy, and cosmology. The observational exam tests students' ability to use telescopes and other astronomical instruments to make observations of the night sky.
Number of Questions: 14
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Tags: astronomy olympiad high school
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What is the name of the star that is closest to Earth?

  1. Proxima Centauri

  2. Sirius

  3. Alpha Centauri

  4. Vega


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf star that is located about 4.2 light-years from Earth. It is the closest star to Earth, and it is part of the Alpha Centauri system.

What is the name of the planet that is closest to the Sun?

  1. Mercury

  2. Venus

  3. Earth

  4. Mars


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. It is a small, rocky planet that is about the size of Earth's moon.

What is the name of the largest planet in the solar system?

  1. Jupiter

  2. Saturn

  3. Uranus

  4. Neptune


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. It is a gas giant that is about 11 times the diameter of Earth.

What is the name of the smallest planet in the solar system?

  1. Mercury

  2. Venus

  3. Earth

  4. Mars


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system. It is a small, rocky planet that is about the size of Earth's moon.

What is the name of the star that is at the center of our galaxy?

  1. Sagittarius A*

  2. Vega

  3. Sirius

  4. Proxima Centauri


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sagittarius A* is a supermassive black hole that is located at the center of our galaxy. It is about 4 million times the mass of the Sun.

What is the name of the galaxy that is closest to our galaxy?

  1. Andromeda

  2. Triangulum

  3. M31

  4. M33


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Andromeda is the galaxy that is closest to our galaxy. It is a spiral galaxy that is about 2.5 million light-years away.

What is the name of the largest galaxy in the universe?

  1. IC 1101

  2. UGC 2885

  3. NGC 6872

  4. IC 1011


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

IC 1101 is the largest galaxy in the universe. It is an elliptical galaxy that is about 6 million light-years across.

What is the name of the oldest star in the universe?

  1. HD 140283

  2. HE 1523-0901

  3. Methuselah Star

  4. PSR J1119-0136


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

HD 140283 is the oldest star in the universe. It is a metal-poor star that is about 13.2 billion years old.

What is the name of the first exoplanet that was discovered?

  1. 51 Pegasi b

  2. HD 209458 b

  3. Gliese 876 b

  4. Tau Boötis b


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

51 Pegasi b is the first exoplanet that was discovered. It is a gas giant that is about half the mass of Jupiter.

What is the name of the first interstellar object that was discovered?

  1. 'Oumuamua

  2. 2I/Borisov

  3. C/2019 Q4 (Borisov)

  4. C/2017 U1 (PANSTARRS)


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

'Oumuamua is the first interstellar object that was discovered. It is a small, cigar-shaped object that is about 400 meters long.

What is the name of the largest black hole in the universe?

  1. TON 618

  2. SDSS J0100+2802

  3. J2157-3602

  4. OJ 287


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

TON 618 is the largest black hole in the universe. It is a supermassive black hole that is about 66 billion times the mass of the Sun.

What is the name of the first space telescope that was launched?

  1. Hubble Space Telescope

  2. Chandra X-ray Observatory

  3. Spitzer Space Telescope

  4. James Webb Space Telescope


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Hubble Space Telescope is the first space telescope that was launched. It was launched in 1990 and has revolutionized our understanding of the universe.

What is the name of the first person to walk on the moon?

  1. Neil Armstrong

  2. Buzz Aldrin

  3. Michael Collins

  4. Alan Shepard


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon. He did so on July 20, 1969, as part of the Apollo 11 mission.

What is the name of the first space probe that was sent to Mars?

  1. Mariner 4

  2. Mariner 9

  3. Viking 1

  4. Viking 2


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Mariner 4 was the first space probe that was sent to Mars. It was launched in 1964 and flew by Mars in 1965.

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