Which is the first planet discovered by the use of telescope?

Appeared in: NIA - 29 January 2023

Explanation

Uranus is the correct answer as it was the first planet to be discovered using a telescope.
Astronomer William Herschel identified it as a planet on March 13, 1781.
Prior to this discovery, the solar system was thought to end at Saturn.
This discovery was a landmark moment in astronomy, proving that the solar system was larger than previously believed.

Option A: Jupiter is one of the five classical planets visible to the naked eye from Earth.
Option B: Mars, the 'Red Planet', is easily visible in the night sky without a telescope.
Option C: Saturn, famous for its rings, is the most distant of the five classical planets visible to the naked eye.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain History of Astronomical Discoveries as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a general knowledge question and is not directly related to clinical practice.
The principle of discovery through new technology (like the telescope) is analogous to medical advancements where new diagnostic tools (like MRI, CT scans, or genetic sequencing) reveal diseases and conditions previously unknown or misunderstood.
What if the question asked for the first planet whose moons were discovered by telescope? The answer would be Jupiter, as Galileo Galilei discovered its four largest moons (the Galilean moons) in 1610.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keywords in the question: 'first planet', 'discovered', and 'use of telescope'.
The question asks for a specific historical fact in astronomy.
Recall or determine which planets are visible to the naked eye. These are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. These planets have been known since ancient times and thus were not 'discovered' with a telescope.
Eliminate the options that are naked-eye planets: Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn.
The remaining option, Uranus, must be the first planet discovered using a telescope.
Confirm the fact: Uranus was indeed discovered by William Herschel in 1781, which was well into the era of telescopic astronomy.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NIA - 29 January 2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.