Observatories for Comets and Asteroids

Description: This quiz focuses on observatories dedicated to studying comets and asteroids, their characteristics, locations, and contributions to our understanding of these celestial objects.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: astronomy observatories comets asteroids space exploration
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Which observatory is renowned for its extensive comet and asteroid surveys, including the discovery of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet that collided with Jupiter in 1994?

  1. Kitt Peak National Observatory

  2. Palomar Observatory

  3. Mauna Kea Observatories

  4. Arecibo Observatory


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Kitt Peak National Observatory, located in Arizona, USA, is famous for its comet and asteroid surveys. It played a crucial role in the discovery of Shoemaker-Levy 9, which provided valuable insights into cometary impacts.

The Catalina Sky Survey is conducted at which observatory, known for its contributions to near-Earth object (NEO) discoveries?

  1. Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory

  2. Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope

  3. Apache Point Observatory

  4. Mount Lemmon Observatory


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Catalina Sky Survey is carried out at Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona, USA. This survey has been instrumental in identifying and tracking NEOs, enhancing our understanding of their potential impact hazards.

What is the name of the observatory in Chile that hosts the Dark Energy Camera (DECam), a powerful instrument used for studying distant comets and asteroids?

  1. Very Large Telescope

  2. Gemini Observatory

  3. Subaru Telescope

  4. Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile is home to the DECam, which has been extensively used to study distant comets and asteroids, providing valuable insights into their physical properties and compositions.

Which observatory is known for its role in the discovery of the first interstellar object, 'Oumuamua, that passed through our solar system in 2017?

  1. Pan-STARRS 1

  2. Subaru Telescope

  3. Gemini Observatory

  4. Keck Observatory


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System 1 (Pan-STARRS 1) observatory in Hawaii, USA, played a crucial role in the discovery of 'Oumuamua, the first interstellar object observed passing through our solar system.

The LINEAR (Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research) program operates at which observatory, focusing on the detection and tracking of NEOs?

  1. Apache Point Observatory

  2. Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory

  3. Kitt Peak National Observatory

  4. Mount Lemmon Observatory


Correct Option:
Explanation:

The LINEAR program operates at the Lincoln Laboratory Experimental Test Site in Massachusetts, USA. It is dedicated to detecting and tracking NEOs, contributing significantly to our knowledge of these potentially hazardous objects.

What is the name of the observatory in Arizona, USA, that houses the Spacewatch Telescope, known for its contributions to comet and asteroid discoveries?

  1. Kitt Peak National Observatory

  2. Mount Lemmon Observatory

  3. Apache Point Observatory

  4. Catalina Sky Survey


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Spacewatch Telescope is located at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, USA. It has played a significant role in discovering and characterizing comets and asteroids, expanding our understanding of these celestial bodies.

Which observatory in Hawaii, USA, is known for its infrared capabilities, enabling the study of comets and asteroids with faint thermal emissions?

  1. Subaru Telescope

  2. Gemini Observatory

  3. Keck Observatory

  4. Mauna Kea Observatories


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Mauna Kea Observatories in Hawaii, USA, house several telescopes with infrared capabilities, making them ideal for studying comets and asteroids that emit faint thermal radiation.

The Siding Spring Observatory in Australia is renowned for its contributions to cometary studies. What is the name of the telescope used at this observatory for comet observations?

  1. Anglo-Australian Telescope

  2. Subaru Telescope

  3. Gemini Observatory

  4. Uppsala Schmidt Telescope


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Siding Spring Observatory in Australia utilizes the Uppsala Schmidt Telescope for comet observations. This telescope is known for its wide-field capabilities, enabling the detection and tracking of comets.

Which observatory in Chile is equipped with the VLT Survey Telescope (VST), a powerful instrument dedicated to surveying the sky for comets and asteroids?

  1. Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory

  2. Very Large Telescope

  3. Gemini Observatory

  4. Paranal Observatory


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The VLT Survey Telescope (VST) is located at the Paranal Observatory in Chile. It is specifically designed for surveying the sky for comets and asteroids, providing valuable data for studying their populations and characteristics.

The Catalina Sky Survey operates multiple telescopes at different locations. Which mountain in Arizona, USA, hosts one of its telescopes?

  1. Mount Lemmon

  2. Kitt Peak

  3. Apache Point

  4. Mauna Kea


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Catalina Sky Survey operates one of its telescopes on Mount Lemmon in Arizona, USA. This telescope contributes to the survey's efforts in detecting and tracking near-Earth objects.

What is the name of the observatory in California, USA, that houses the Samuel Oschin Telescope, known for its contributions to comet and asteroid discoveries?

  1. Kitt Peak National Observatory

  2. Palomar Observatory

  3. Mount Wilson Observatory

  4. Apache Point Observatory


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Samuel Oschin Telescope is located at Palomar Observatory in California, USA. It has been instrumental in discovering and characterizing comets and asteroids, contributing to our understanding of these celestial objects.

Which observatory in Chile is home to the Gemini South telescope, a powerful instrument used for studying comets and asteroids in the southern hemisphere?

  1. Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory

  2. Very Large Telescope

  3. Gemini Observatory

  4. Paranal Observatory


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Gemini South telescope is located at the Gemini Observatory in Chile. It is one of the largest and most advanced telescopes in the southern hemisphere, enabling detailed observations of comets and asteroids.

The NEOWISE mission, which discovered numerous comets and asteroids, was conducted using a telescope onboard which spacecraft?

  1. Hubble Space Telescope

  2. Spitzer Space Telescope

  3. Chandra X-ray Observatory

  4. Kepler Space Telescope


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The NEOWISE mission utilized the Spitzer Space Telescope to discover comets and asteroids. The mission repurposed the Spitzer telescope after its primary mission ended, allowing for the detection of these celestial objects in the infrared spectrum.

Which observatory in Arizona, USA, is known for its role in the discovery of Comet Hale-Bopp, one of the brightest comets observed in recent history?

  1. Kitt Peak National Observatory

  2. Palomar Observatory

  3. Mount Wilson Observatory

  4. Apache Point Observatory


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Comet Hale-Bopp was discovered at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, USA. This observatory has a long history of comet and asteroid discoveries, contributing significantly to our understanding of these celestial bodies.

What is the name of the observatory in New Mexico, USA, that houses the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) spectrograph, used for studying the chemical composition of comets and asteroids?

  1. Kitt Peak National Observatory

  2. Palomar Observatory

  3. Mount Wilson Observatory

  4. Apache Point Observatory


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) spectrograph is located at Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico, USA. It is used to study the chemical composition of comets and asteroids, providing insights into their formation and evolution.

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