General Knowledge Today Prelims Geography-1: Astronomy Target 2016: Integrated IAS General Studies Published by: UPSC Materials No Rights Reserved www.freeupscmaterials.org Prelims Geography-1: Astronomy Contents Model Questions .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Basic Facts about Universe ................................................................................................................................ 3 Hubble Constant .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Black Holes ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 Dark Matter and Dark Energy ......................................................................................................................... 7 Dark Energy ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Composition of Dark Matter .................................................................................................................... 8 Implication of dark matter on shape of universe ................................................................................. 8 Galaxies .................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Types of Galaxies ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Size of Galaxies ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Dwarf Galaxy ............................................................................................................................................... 9 Distribution of Galaxies ............................................................................................................................ 10 Group of Galaxies ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Cluster of Galaxies ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Supercluster of Galaxies ........................................................................................................................... 10 Milky Way Galaxy ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Basic Features of Milkyway ..................................................................................................................... 10 Neighbours of Milky Way ......................................................................................................................... 11 Radio Galaxies ............................................................................................................................................. 12 Large / Small Magellanic Clouds ........................................................................................................... 12 Interstellar medium .................................................................................................................................... 12 Nebula .................................................................................................................................................................. 13 Types of nebulae ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Quasar .......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Stars ...................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Basic Facts About Stars ............................................................................................................................ 14 Stellar Evolution .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Pre-main sequence phases ....................................................................................................................... 15 Main sequence star .................................................................................................................................... 15 Post-main sequence stars ......................................................................................................................... 17 Factors that influence, how stars will evolve ....................................................................................... 18 Sun & Solar System ........................................................................................................................................... 19 Structure of Sun ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Composition of Sun .................................................................................................................................. 20 Mass of Sun ................................................................................................................................................ 20 Rotation of Sun .......................................................................................................................................... 20 Formation of Solar System ...................................................................................................................... 21 Size of Solar System .................................................................................................................................. 21 www.freeupscmaterials.org 2 Prelims Geography-1: Astronomy Planets .......................................................................................................................................................... 22 Planetary Rings ........................................................................................................................................... 22 Inner Planets/ Terrestrial Planets .......................................................................................................... 22 Outer Planets / Gas Giants ..................................................................................................................... 22 Important Facts About Planets ............................................................................................................... 23 Mercury ....................................................................................................................................................... 23 Venus ............................................................................................................................................................ 23 Mars ............................................................................................................................................................. 24 Jupiter .......................................................................................................................................................... 26 Important Moons of Jupiter .................................................................................................................... 28 Saturn .......................................................................................................................................................... 28 Moons of Saturn ....................................................................................................................................... 29 Uranus ......................................................................................................................................................... 30 Neptune ....................................................................................................................................................... 30 Kuiper Belt .................................................................................................................................................. 30 Kuiper Belt Objects .................................................................................................................................... 31 Asteroids ...................................................................................................................................................... 31 Asteroid belt ............................................................................................................................................... 32 Asteroids located other than Asteroid Belt .......................................................................................... 32 Origin of Asteroids .................................................................................................................................... 32 Number of Asteroids ...............................................................................................................................