UPSC Prelims 2007 Q126: Science & Technology – Space Technology & Astronomy

UPSC Prelims 2007, General Studies Paper I · Science & Technology

NASA’s Deep Impact space mission was employed to take detailed pictures of which comet nucleus?

Answer: (d) Temple 1

Explanation

NASA's Deep Impact mission — Comet Tempel 1

Detail	Fact
Launched	January 2005
Target	Comet 9P/Tempel 1
Key event	4 July 2005 — a 370 kg impactor hit the comet's nucleus
Purpose	Study the interior material of a comet nucleus
Finding	Fine dust, water ice and organic material; a fluffy, porous nucleus
Extended mission	EPOXI — flew past Comet Hartley 2 (2010)

Other comets in options:

Comet	Known for
Halley's	Returns every ~76 years; Giotto probe (1986)
Hale-Bopp	Very bright naked-eye comet, 1997
Hyakutake	Close pass to Earth, 1996

Answer: (d) Tempel 1.

(a) Incorrect. Halley's comet was studied by Giotto (ESA) and the Vega probes in 1986.
(b) Incorrect. Hale-Bopp (1997) was observed from Earth; no impactor mission.
(c) Incorrect. Hyakutake (1996) was observed, not hit.
(d) CORRECT. Deep Impact struck Comet Tempel 1 on 4 July 2005.

Deep Impact (2005) = impactor into Comet Tempel 1. Rosetta (ESA) = landed Philae on Comet 67P (2014).

Deep Impact hit Comet Tempel 1 on 4 July 2005.

Choosing Halley's comet because it is the most famous.
Confusing Deep Impact (NASA, Tempel 1) with Rosetta (ESA, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko).
Mixing up Stardust (sample return from Comet Wild 2) with Deep Impact.

Comet missions: Giotto → Halley; Stardust → Wild 2; Deep Impact → Tempel 1; Rosetta → 67P.