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Do You Know Telescopes? Trivia Quiz

Here is a quiz about telescopes.

A multiple-choice quiz by almach. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
almach

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
49,150

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1758

Last 3 plays: BarbaraMcI (7/10), marianjoy (5/10), Hesting_horts (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. An astronomer would use a telescope to look at what? Hint

The sea

Bacteria

The night sky

Television

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Question 2 of 10

2. What accessories do you use to change magnification on a telescope? Hint

Microscopes

Eyepieces

Filters

Eyeglasses

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. A refractor telescope uses mirrors.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. In 2006 the biggest refractor (telescope) in the world is at Mount Palomar.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Which is not a telescope? Hint

Dobsonian

Microscope

Reflector

Refractor

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Question 6 of 10

6. A Catadioptric telescope is a more compact type of telescope.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is one advantage of a very large Dobsonian telescope? Hint

Ease of transporting

There is no advantage

Lighter weight

More light gathering power

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is not a type of telescope mount? Hint

German equatorial

Altazimuth

Longitudal

Equatorial

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Question 9 of 10

9. The Hubble Space Telescope is the largest telescope in the world in 2006.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. For the same diameter telescope, which of the following is the most expensive? Hint

Reflector

Planetarium

Dobsonian

Catadioptric

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 02 2025 : BarbaraMcI: 7/10
Nov 02 2025 : marianjoy: 5/10
Nov 01 2025 : Hesting_horts: 10/10
Oct 31 2025 : jibberer: 7/10
Oct 31 2025 : Rumpo: 10/10
Oct 29 2025 : griller: 10/10
Oct 28 2025 : hosertodd: 9/10
Oct 28 2025 : sadwings: 5/10
Oct 27 2025 : cosechero: 6/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. An astronomer would use a telescope to look at what?

Answer: The night sky

Of course, during the day, you can look at the Sun (please use appropriate filters to protect your eyes and the scope) as well as the Moon and some planets.

2. What accessories do you use to change magnification on a telescope?

Answer: Eyepieces

Eyepieces or occulars are used to change the magnification. Lower magnification allows for more field of view, higher magnification allows for more detail (usually).

3. A refractor telescope uses mirrors.

Answer: False

A reflecting telescope uses mirrors and lenses (eyepieces), and a refractor only uses lenses.

4. In 2006 the biggest refractor (telescope) in the world is at Mount Palomar.

Answer: False

The biggest refractor is at Yerkes Observatory, a 40 inch Alvan Clark telescope.

5. Which is not a telescope?

Answer: Microscope

6. A Catadioptric telescope is a more compact type of telescope.

Answer: True

In a catadioptric telescope (Schmitt-Cassegrain for instance), light passes through the corrector plate (lens), strikes the primary mirror, reflects off the secondary mirror, proceeds back through a center hole in the primary mirror to the eyepiece. This allows for a much shorter (more compact) tube than a reflecting telescope.

7. What is one advantage of a very large Dobsonian telescope?

Answer: More light gathering power

More light gathering power allows for fainter objects to be seen.

8. What is not a type of telescope mount?

Answer: Longitudal

There is no such thing as a longitudal telescope mount, at least, I don't think there is!

9. The Hubble Space Telescope is the largest telescope in the world in 2006.

Answer: False

The Hubble Space Telescope (91 inches in diameter) currently gives us the best optical images since it is above the atmosphere. The twin ten meter Keck telescopes in Hawaii are larger.

10. For the same diameter telescope, which of the following is the most expensive?

Answer: Catadioptric

Catadioptric telescopes, due to their intricate detailed design are the most expensive over reflectors and dobsonians. A planetarium, of course, is not a telescope, it is a place to go to learn about Astronomy (or to catch a quick nap).

Source: Author almach

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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This quiz is part of series Scope for Imagination:

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  10. Charting and Interpreting a Natal Horoscope Average

Referenced Topics

World Science Astronomy Miscellaneous Science Mixed Humanities Moons Hawaii Scientific Instruments The Sun Astronomers

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