UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2023

Consider the following pairs: Objects in space : Description. 1. Cepheids : Giant clouds of dust and gas in space. 2. Nebulae : Stars which brighten and dim periodically. 3. Pulsars : Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse. How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None

Answer

Correct Answer

Only one

Explanation

Only pulsars (neutron stars formed when massive stars collapse) is correctly matched. Cepheids are actually variable stars that brighten and dim periodically (description swapped with Nebulae), and Nebulae are giant clouds of dust and gas (description swapped with Cepheids).

Topics: astronomy, cepheids and nebulae, pulsars, science and technology