In general science vocabulary, what do we call a place where astronomical observations of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies are made using telescopes and instruments?

Introduction / Context:
This one word substitution question comes from basic science and general awareness. The stem describes a place where astronomical observations are made. Competitive exams frequently test whether you can connect such definitions with the correct technical term. Here the focus is on astronomy, telescopes, and sky watching, so you must recall the standard word used in this field.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The description is: a place where astronomical observations are made.
• Such a place normally has telescopes, domes, and other instruments for observing the sky.
• Option A: Laboratory.
• Option B: Observatory.
• Option C: Astrolibrary.
• Option D: Astrophery.

Concept / Approach:
The correct word for a place where scientists systematically observe stars, planets, comets, and other space objects is observatory. Famous examples include radio observatories and optical observatories. A laboratory is a place for experiments in many branches of science, not specifically astronomy. Astrolibrary and astrophery are not standard English words; they look like invented distractors formed from astro, but they are not used in real scientific contexts. Therefore observatory is the only precise and accepted term.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the domain: the phrase astronomical observations clearly points to astronomy and the study of celestial bodies.Step 2: Recall that buildings or locations dedicated to systematic observation of the sky are called observatories.Step 3: Evaluate laboratory; this can refer to any general science lab in schools or research centres and does not specifically mean an astronomy site.Step 4: Recognise that astrolibrary and astrophery are not recognised standard words; they mix the prefix astro with random endings and are present only to confuse you.Step 5: Conclude that observatory is the correct and widely accepted term for the place described in the stem.

Verification / Alternative check:
Think of real life examples. When you read about astronomers discovering an exoplanet, the news reports often say that it was detected at an observatory using a powerful telescope. You rarely see the phrase astronomy laboratory for such activities, and astrolibrary or astrophery do not appear in serious science writing. This real world usage supports observatory as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Laboratory is too general. It can be a chemistry lab, a biology lab, or even a computer lab; it does not inherently connect with observing stars. Astrolibrary sounds like a place to store astronomy books, but even that term is not used in standard English. Astrophery has no recognised meaning and is simply a distractor. None of these captures the idea of a specially designed building with telescopes for sky observation.

Common Pitfalls:
Exam setters often create fake words with scientific sounding prefixes like astro to tempt candidates who rely only on guesswork. It is important to remember a small core list of genuine scientific terms such as observatory, planetarium, and telescope. When you encounter unknown options that look artificial, cross check them mentally with your reading experience. If you have never seen a term in books or articles, it is probably a distractor in a vocabulary question like this one.

Final Answer:
The place where astronomical observations are made using telescopes and instruments is called an Observatory, so option B is correct.