Hubble Space Telescope (HST)

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your knowledge about the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), a joint project of NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). The HST has revolutionized our understanding of the universe, providing stunning images and valuable data that have helped scientists make significant discoveries.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: astronomy space exploration telescopes
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When was the Hubble Space Telescope launched?

  1. 1989

  2. 1990

  3. 1991

  4. 1992


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Hubble Space Telescope was launched on April 24, 1990, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Who is credited with the idea of a space-based telescope?

  1. Edwin Hubble

  2. Lyman Spitzer

  3. James Webb

  4. Albert Einstein


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Lyman Spitzer, an American astrophysicist, is credited with proposing the idea of a space-based telescope in his 1946 report titled 'Astronomical Advantages of an Extra-Terrestrial Observatory'.

What is the primary mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope made of?

  1. Gold

  2. Silver

  3. Glass

  4. Beryllium


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The primary mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope is made of beryllium, a lightweight and strong metal that is also resistant to thermal expansion.

What is the diameter of the Hubble Space Telescope's primary mirror?

  1. 2.4 meters

  2. 4.2 meters

  3. 6.5 meters

  4. 8.3 meters


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The primary mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope has a diameter of 2.4 meters (7.9 feet).

What is the Hubble Space Telescope's approximate orbit around Earth?

  1. Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

  2. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)

  3. Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO)

  4. Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO)


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Hubble Space Telescope orbits Earth in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO), approximately 547 kilometers (340 miles) above the planet's surface.

How many servicing missions have been conducted on the Hubble Space Telescope?

  1. 3

  2. 5

  3. 7

  4. 9


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

There have been five servicing missions conducted on the Hubble Space Telescope, with the last one taking place in 2009.

Which space shuttle was used to launch the Hubble Space Telescope?

  1. Discovery

  2. Atlantis

  3. Endeavour

  4. Columbia


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Hubble Space Telescope was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on April 24, 1990.

What was the primary issue with the Hubble Space Telescope's initial mirror?

  1. It was too small.

  2. It was not properly aligned.

  3. It was made of the wrong material.

  4. It was damaged during launch.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Hubble Space Telescope's initial mirror was not properly aligned, resulting in blurred images. This issue was later corrected during the first servicing mission in 1993.

Which instrument on the Hubble Space Telescope is responsible for capturing iconic images of distant galaxies and nebulae?

  1. Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3)

  2. Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS)

  3. Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS)

  4. Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS)


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) is a versatile instrument on the Hubble Space Telescope that is responsible for capturing stunning images of distant galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial objects.

What is the approximate lifespan of the Hubble Space Telescope?

  1. 10 years

  2. 15 years

  3. 20 years

  4. 25 years


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Hubble Space Telescope was originally designed to have a lifespan of 15 years, but it has been extended several times and is now expected to operate for at least 25 years.

Which famous astronomer is the Hubble Space Telescope named after?

  1. Edwin Hubble

  2. Albert Einstein

  3. Isaac Newton

  4. Galileo Galilei


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Hubble Space Telescope is named after Edwin Hubble, an American astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of cosmology, including the discovery of the expansion of the universe.

What is the Hubble Space Telescope's contribution to our understanding of dark matter?

  1. It has detected dark matter particles.

  2. It has measured the mass of dark matter halos.

  3. It has observed the effects of dark matter on galaxy clusters.

  4. It has confirmed the existence of dark matter.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Hubble Space Telescope has provided valuable observations of galaxy clusters, which have helped scientists study the effects of dark matter on the motion of galaxies within these clusters.

Which Hubble Space Telescope image is considered one of the most iconic images in astronomy?

  1. Pillars of Creation

  2. Deep Field

  3. Sombrero Galaxy

  4. Horsehead Nebula


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The 'Pillars of Creation' image, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995, is considered one of the most iconic images in astronomy. It depicts towering pillars of interstellar gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula.

What is the Hubble Space Telescope's contribution to our understanding of exoplanets?

  1. It has discovered the first exoplanet.

  2. It has characterized the atmospheres of exoplanets.

  3. It has measured the masses of exoplanets.

  4. It has observed transits of exoplanets.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Hubble Space Telescope has observed transits of exoplanets, which occur when an exoplanet passes in front of its host star, causing a slight dimming of the star's light.

Which Hubble Space Telescope image revealed the presence of a supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy?

  1. Black Hole at the Center of Milky Way

  2. Event Horizon Telescope Image of Black Hole

  3. M87 Black Hole Image

  4. Sagittarius A* Image


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Hubble Space Telescope's 'Sagittarius A* Image' revealed the presence of a supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy, known as Sagittarius A*.

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