SSC Stenographer 2026 PYQ — Question 10

Solution: The correct answer is MACE uses space-based sensors to directly detect cosmic gamma rays without atmospheric distortion.
Explanation:
☛ MACE (Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment) is a ground-based telescope, not a space-based instrument.
☛ It detects very high-energy cosmic gamma rays indirectly by observing the faint flashes of Cherenkov radiation produced when gamma rays interact with Earth's upper atmosphere.
☛ The telescope is located at Hanle, Ladakh, at an altitude of approximately 4,300 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest altitude Cherenkov telescopes in the world.
☛ It is designed to study high-energy astrophysical sources such as pulsars, supernova remnants, and Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN).
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Development: MACE was indigenously built by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) with support from other Indian institutions like ECIL.
☛ Size: It is the largest Cherenkov telescope in Asia and the second largest in the world, featuring a 21-meter diameter light collector mirror.
☛ Hanle Site: The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) at Hanle provides exceptionally clear skies, extremely low humidity, and negligible light pollution.
☛ Cherenkov Radiation: This is an optical shock wave emitted when a charged particle travels through a dielectric medium faster than the phase velocity of light in that medium.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Where is the MACE telescope located in India? → Hanle, Ladakh
☛ Which primary organization developed the MACE telescope? → Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
☛ What phenomenon is detected by ground-based gamma-ray telescopes like MACE? → Cherenkov radiation
☛ Which 2-meter optical telescope is also situated at the Hanle observatory? → Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT)
☛ What is the diameter of the primary mirror of the MACE telescope? → 21 meters