UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies
Question 90: Science and Technology
The world's highest ground-based telescopic observatory is located in
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle in Ladakh, about 4,500 m above sea level and home to the 2-m Himalayan Chandra Telescope, was billed around 2001 as the world's highest ground-based telescope site. Its dry, cold, clear skies suit astronomy. Colombia, Nepal and Switzerland do not hold this title.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Not the site of the Hanle telescope.
- (b) Right: Hanle in Ladakh, India.
- (c) Not the site of the Hanle telescope.
- (d) Switzerland has the Jungfraujoch research station, but it is far lower than Hanle.
Worth knowing: Since 2009 the University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory in Chile, at about 5,640 m, has been billed as the world's highest, so the answer is dated.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.