UPSC Prelims 2008 Q89: Science & Technology – Space Technology & Astronomy
What is the purpose of the US Space Agency's Themis Mission, which was recently in the
news?
- (a) To study the possibility of life on Mars
- (b) To study the satellites of Saturn
- (c) To study the colourful display of high latitude skies
- (d) To build a space laboratory to study the stellar explosions
Answer: (c) To study the colourful display of high latitude skies
Explanation
Purpose of NASA's Themis Mission
This US space mission, recently in the news, was designed to study a specific atmospheric/space-weather phenomenon.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Study possibility of life on Mars | Incorrect | Not Themis's purpose |
| (b) Study the satellites of Saturn | Incorrect | Not Themis's purpose (that's more aligned with Cassini) |
| (c) Study the colourful display of high-latitude skies | Correct | Themis (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) studies the Aurora (colourful high-latitude sky displays) and the magnetic substorms behind them |
| (d) Build a space laboratory to study stellar explosions | Incorrect | Not Themis's purpose |
Themis Mission facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Study Aurora/high-latitude sky displays and magnetic substorms |
| Agency | NASA |
Answer: (c) To study the colourful display of high latitude skies.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Mars life study is not Themis's purpose.
- (b) Incorrect. Saturn's satellites is not Themis's purpose; that's more aligned with Cassini.
- (c) CORRECT. Themis studies the Aurora (colourful high-latitude sky displays).
- (d) Incorrect. Stellar explosion study is not Themis's purpose.
Key point
NASA's Themis Mission studies the Aurora — the colourful high-latitude sky displays — and the magnetic substorms behind them.
Remember
NASA's Themis Mission studies the colourful display of high-latitude skies (Aurora).
Common mistakes
- Confusing Themis's aurora-study purpose with unrelated missions (Mars exploration, Saturn's moons).
- Not knowing the full form (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) behind this acronym.
- Mixing up different NASA missions' specific scientific goals.
Exam tip
Themis Mission = studies Aurora (colourful high-latitude sky displays) and magnetic substorms. A specific NASA mission-purpose pairing.
Sources
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration — THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) mission
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — aurora