{"id":13632,"date":"2026-06-17T15:14:48","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T09:44:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/?p=13632"},"modified":"2026-06-19T15:21:53","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T09:51:53","slug":"grapes-3-telescope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/grapes-3-telescope\/","title":{"rendered":"GRAPES-3 Telescope: Aim, Features, Location and Key Discoveries"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">GRAPES-3 Telescope is one of the most modern and sophisticated cosmic ray observatories for observing cosmic ray of high energy source in outer space. Located in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India, this scientific facility plays a crucial role in understanding cosmic rays, solar activity, and space weather.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The GRAPES-3 Telescope is a telescope constructed by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and is being developed and operated by the TIFR team. GRAPES-3 is a massive air shower detector and muon telescope which is being used to study some of the highest-energy phenomena in the universe. It has made important contributions to global research on cosmic rays and improved India&#8217;s position in astroparticle physics over the years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Key Characteristics of GRAPES-3 Telescope<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">At Ooty in Tamil Nadu, India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) operates it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is the third generation in 2000 of the GRAPES experiment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Researches phenomena and high-energy cosmic rays.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Constructs the world&#8217;s largest muon telescope.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Picks up large air showers produced by cosmic rays.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Assists in observing space weather and geomagnetic storms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Supports research in astrophysics at the international level.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is the GRAPES-3 Telescope?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">GRAPES is a Gamma-Ray Astronomy Phase-3, with an emphasis on peV energy. The observatory is especially suited to explore teraelectronvolt (TeV) to petaelectronvolts (PeV) cosmic rays.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Primary high-energy cosmic particles penetrate the atmosphere and collide with molecules of the air, creating cascades of secondary particles called extensive air showers. The GRAPES-3 Telescope is able to detect and analyse these showers to trace back the origin, energy and properties of cosmic rays.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It combines cutting-edge particle detection technologies with sophisticated data analysis systems, allowing scientists to conduct research with precision on galactic and solar phenomena.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">GRAPES-3 Telescope: Overview Table<\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Particulars<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Details<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Full Name<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gamma Ray Astronomy PeV EnergieS Phase-3<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Popular Name<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">GRAPES-3 Telescope<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Location<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Altitude<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Approximately 2,200 metres above sea level<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Operating Institution<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Year of Commissioning<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2000<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Primary Objective<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Study of cosmic rays and space weather<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Major Components<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Air shower array and muon telescope<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Detection Range<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">TeV to PeV energy range<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scientific Field<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Astroparticle Physics<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The goal and objectives of the GRAPES-3 Telescope<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The first goal of the GRAPES-3 Telescope is to gain knowledge about high energy cosmic rays nature and origin. Besides that, it aims at enhancing the understanding of the nature of solar activity and how it affects the Earth.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Major Objectives of GRAPES-3 Telescope<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Explore the sources and acceleration mechanisms of cosmic rays.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Observe the distribution of energy and types of cosmic particles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Study extensive air showers produced in Earth&#8217;s atmosphere.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Observe solar flare\/geomagnetic storm variations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Discuss space weather phenomena that can impact satellites and power systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Look for signatures of physics that are new to theory.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Previous Year Questions (PYQs)\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Year<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Exam<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Question<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Answer<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2024<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC CSE Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>With reference to the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), consider the following statements:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1. It is located near Pune in Maharashtra.2. It is operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics.3. It is used for observing radio waves from celestial objects. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2020<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC CSE Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>The term \u201cThirty Meter Telescope\u201d sometimes seen in the news refers to:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) A space-based infrared observatory(b) A next-generation ground-based optical telescope(c) A radar system used for asteroid tracking(d) A deep-sea observatory<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>(b) A next-generation ground-based optical telescope<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2016<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC CSE Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>The term \u2018Event Horizon\u2019, often seen in the news, is associated with:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) Black holes(b) Exoplanets(c) Asteroids(d) Comets<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>(a) Black holes<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2015<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC CSE Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>LIGO, which is often in the news, is associated with the detection of:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) Neutrinos(b) Dark matter(c) Gravitational waves(d) Cosmic rays<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>(c) Gravitational waves<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2013<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC CSE Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>Which of the following pairs is\/are correctly matched? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1. Astronomical Observatory \u2014 Kodaikanal2. Radio Telescope \u2014 Arecibo3. Optical Telescope \u2014 Mount Abu Select the correct answer using the code given below:(a) 1 only(b) 1 and 2 only(c) 2 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-13696\" src=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-Jun-19-2026-03_20_43-PM-300x169.png\" alt=\"GRAPES-3\" width=\"598\" height=\"337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-Jun-19-2026-03_20_43-PM-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-Jun-19-2026-03_20_43-PM-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-Jun-19-2026-03_20_43-PM-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-Jun-19-2026-03_20_43-PM-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ChatGPT-Image-Jun-19-2026-03_20_43-PM.png 1672w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/us-iran-deal-strait-of-hormuz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">US-Iran Deal Ends War; Strait of Hormuz Set to Reopen<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conclusion on GRAPES-3 Cosmic Ray Telescope<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">GRAPES-3 Telescope is an unprecedented scientific facility which revolutionized cosmic ray research in India. Due to its strategic location, sophisticated muon detector system, and 24\/7 monitoring, it is one of the indispensable observatories for measuring and tracking space weather and high-energy particles. The GRAPES-3 Telescope is poised to be a key player in the field of cosmic ray studies and our understanding of solar-terrestrial interactions in the coming years as scientists delve deeper into the secrets of the universe.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">FAQs-GRAPES-3 Observatory Frequently Asked Questions\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"cfaq-wrapper\" data-multiple=\"0\"><div class=\"cfaq-item cfaq-open\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"true\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">1. What does GRAPES-3 stand for?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\"><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">GRAPES-3 stands for Gamma Ray Astronomy PeV EnergieS Phase-3.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">2. Where is the GRAPES-3 Telescope located?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">The GRAPES-3 Telescope is located in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, at an altitude of approximately 2,200 metres above sea level.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">3. What is the main aim of the GRAPES-3 Telescope?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">The primary aim of the GRAPES-3 Telescope is to study high-energy cosmic rays, solar activity, and space weather phenomena.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">4. Which institution operates the GRAPES-3 Telescope?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">The observatory is operated by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">5. Why is the GRAPES-3 Telescope important?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">The GRAPES-3 Telescope helps scientists understand cosmic rays, monitor geomagnetic storms, and improve space weather forecasting.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GRAPES-3 Telescope is one of the most modern and sophisticated cosmic ray observatories for observing cosmic ray of high energy source in outer space. Located in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India, this scientific facility plays a crucial role in understanding cosmic rays, solar activity, and space weather. The GRAPES-3 Telescope is a telescope constructed by the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13633,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13632","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13632","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13632"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13632\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13697,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13632\/revisions\/13697"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13632"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13632"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13632"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}