UPSC Prelims 2001 Q108: Science & Technology – Space Technology & Astronomy
Who is the scientist in whose honour the “Chandra” X - ray telescope has been named?
- (a) Chandrasekhar Venkat Raman
- (b) Jagdish Chandra Bose
- (c) Prafulla Chandra Roy
- (d) Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Answer: (d) Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Explanation
Scientist after whom the Chandra X-ray telescope is named
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chandra X-ray Observatory | NASA telescope launched in July 1999 on Space Shuttle Columbia |
| Named after | Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Indian-American astrophysicist |
| His work | Chandrasekhar limit (about 1.4 solar masses) for white dwarfs |
| Nobel Prize | Physics, 1983 |
NASA named its X-ray observatory Chandra after Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, known as 'Chandra'. He showed that a white dwarf cannot be heavier than about 1.4 times the Sun's mass. He was the nephew of C. V. Raman.
Answer: (d) Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. C. V. Raman is known for the Raman effect.
- (b) Incorrect. J. C. Bose worked on plants and radio waves.
- (c) Incorrect. P. C. Ray was a chemist.
- (d) CORRECT. The Chandra X-ray Observatory honours S. Chandrasekhar.
Key point
NASA's 'Great Observatories': Hubble (visible), Compton (gamma), Chandra (X-ray), Spitzer (infrared).
Remember
Chandra X-ray Observatory = S. Chandrasekhar.
Common mistakes
- Choosing C. V. Raman because of the word 'Chandra'.
- Choosing J. C. Bose for the same reason.
- Not knowing the Chandrasekhar limit.
Exam tip
Every option has 'Chandra'; pick the astrophysicist.
Sources
- NASA — Chandra X-ray Observatory: About Chandra / Who was Chandra (chandra.harvard.edu)
- Nobel Prize — Physics 1983: Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (nobelprize.org)