Question 1

Galileo discovered that the Sun has "blemishes," which we call___________ .

Accepted Answer

A)  penumbras 
B)  sunspots 
C)  coronas 
D)  auroras 
A)  penumbras 
B)  sunspots 
C)  coronas 
D)  auroras

Question 2

Examine the words and/or phrases below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

Accepted Answer

A)  right ascension 
B)  declination 
C)  perihelion 
D)  equatorial system 
A)  right ascension 
B)  declination 
C)  perihelion 
D)  equatorial system

Question 3

Alpha Centauri is a famous star because it is one of the closest stars to earth other than the Sun of course.. Where would you look in the night sky for Alpha Centauri?

Accepted Answer

A)  Look for the second brightest star in the constellation Alpha. 
B)  Look for the brightest star in the constellation Centaurus. 
C)  Look for Hydra, then to the right for Hercules, and it will be half way between. 
D)  RA 15hr 30min; D 56 degrees 
A)  Look for the second brightest star in the constellation Alpha. 
B)  Look for the brightest star in the constellation Centaurus. 
C)  Look for Hydra, then to the right for Hercules, and it will be half way between. 
D)  RA 15hr 30min; D 56 degrees

Question 4

Why did Galileo's observation that Venus showed phases like the Moon indicate that the geocentric theory of the solar system was not possible?

Accepted Answer

A)  It demonstrated that Venus orbited Earth like the Moon, but both had to orbit the Sun. 
B)  It showed that Venus had to have a highly elliptical orbit that nearly crosses Earth's to produce phases like the Moon. 
C)  It was not an important observation supporting heliocentric theory, but it did work out to be consistent with the theory. 
D)  It demonstrated that Venus could not be in orbit around Earth between Earth and the Sun because it shows "full" and "new" phases that would never occur with geocentric geometry. 
A)  It demonstrated that Venus orbited Earth like the Moon, but both had to orbit the Sun. 
B)  It showed that Venus had to have a highly elliptical orbit that nearly crosses Earth's to produce phases like the Moon. 
C)  It was not an important observation supporting heliocentric theory, but it did work out to be consistent with the theory. 
D)  It demonstrated that Venus could not be in orbit around Earth between Earth and the Sun because it shows "full" and "new" phases that would never occur with geocentric geometry.

Question 5

Lunar eclipses last ___________ than solar eclipses.

Accepted Answer

A)  the same length as 
B)  shorter 
C)  longer 
D)  sometimes longer than and sometimes shorter 
A)  the same length as 
B)  shorter 
C)  longer 
D)  sometimes longer than and sometimes shorter

Question 6

Why are there only 4- 7 eclipses per year?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Moon's orbit is inclined to the ecliptic and only crosses the ecliptic twice per year. 
B)  There are only 4 full moons and 4 new moons per year, so no more than 4- 7 are possible. 
C)  There are more, they just aren't visible on both sides of the earth. 
D)  The Moon's orbit is inclined to the ecliptic and only crosses the ecliptic 3- 4 times per year. 
A)  The Moon's orbit is inclined to the ecliptic and only crosses the ecliptic twice per year. 
B)  There are only 4 full moons and 4 new moons per year, so no more than 4- 7 are possible. 
C)  There are more, they just aren't visible on both sides of the earth. 
D)  The Moon's orbit is inclined to the ecliptic and only crosses the ecliptic 3- 4 times per year.

Question 7

Solar eclipses are___________ lunar eclipses.

Accepted Answer

A)  more common than 
B)  less common than 
C)  equally common to 
D)  sometimes more common and sometimes less common than 
A)  more common than 
B)  less common than 
C)  equally common to 
D)  sometimes more common and sometimes less common than

Question 8

One of the discoveries that led to the modern view of the solar system was that the orbits of the planets are not circular but ___________ .

Accepted Answer

A)  spherical 
B)  elliptical 
C)  sinusoidal 
D)  irregular 
A)  spherical 
B)  elliptical 
C)  sinusoidal 
D)  irregular

Question 9

If you determine the number of days in a year with solar time and sidereal time how would they vary?

Accepted Answer

A)  A year measured in sidereal time would be about 15 minutes different than a solar day, so the difference only accumulates over time. 
B)  A year measured in sidereal time would be about one day longer than a year based on solar time. 
C)  They wouldn't; a year is always about 365 1/4 days, and the 1/4 day is taken up with leap years. 
D)  A year measured in sidereal time would be about one day shorter than a year based on solar time. 
A)  A year measured in sidereal time would be about 15 minutes different than a solar day, so the difference only accumulates over time. 
B)  A year measured in sidereal time would be about one day longer than a year based on solar time. 
C)  They wouldn't; a year is always about 365 1/4 days, and the 1/4 day is taken up with leap years. 
D)  A year measured in sidereal time would be about one day shorter than a year based on solar time.

Question 10

Axial precession is sometimes called the precession of equinoxes because it results in a gradual shift, relative to the celestial background, of the position where the Sun crosses the celestial equator at the equinox. Astrology is a mythology based on things like your "sign" which refers to the position of the Sun in the celestial zodiac the 12 constellations along the ecliptic. on your birthday. This system was established almost two thousand years ago. If this mythology were true and you believe your horoscope. can you use the dates for your "sign" based on this 2000 year old system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes, any changes are insignificant in 2000 years. 
B)  No, although the precession shifts the equinox position, the other zodiac positions do not change because they are fixed to the celestial sphere. 
C)  No, because 2000 years is almost 1/12, or one full sign shift, in the zodiac, so the 2000 year old signs are off by almost one full sign. 
D)  Yes, the dates are fixed; your sign is your sign. 
A)  Yes, any changes are insignificant in 2000 years. 
B)  No, although the precession shifts the equinox position, the other zodiac positions do not change because they are fixed to the celestial sphere. 
C)  No, because 2000 years is almost 1/12, or one full sign shift, in the zodiac, so the 2000 year old signs are off by almost one full sign. 
D)  Yes, the dates are fixed; your sign is your sign.

Question 11

In the Ptolemaic Greek. model of the universe, ___________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the Sun was in the center of the solar system 
B)  Earth was in the center of the universe 
C)  Earth was flat 
D)  Earth rotated on its axis to produce night and day 
A)  the Sun was in the center of the solar system 
B)  Earth was in the center of the universe 
C)  Earth was flat 
D)  Earth rotated on its axis to produce night and day

Question 12

Earth hits its perihelion position in January. Solar radiation is proportional to the distance squared between the Sun and the earth, so why isn't it hot in "winter" at perihelion?

Accepted Answer

A)  Precession modifies the effect as Earth wobbles on its axis. 
B)  It is; it is called summer in the Southern Hemisphere, and there is just a time lag for the Northern Hemisphere. 
C)  The ellipticity of the orbit is small, so the affect is small; seasons are caused by tilt of Earth's orbit. 
D)  None of these is correct. 
A)  Precession modifies the effect as Earth wobbles on its axis. 
B)  It is; it is called summer in the Southern Hemisphere, and there is just a time lag for the Northern Hemisphere. 
C)  The ellipticity of the orbit is small, so the affect is small; seasons are caused by tilt of Earth's orbit. 
D)  None of these is correct.

Question 13

When Earth is closest to the Sun, its location is referred to as the ___________position.

Accepted Answer

A)  celestial 
B)  perihelion 
C)  constellation 
D)  inertia 
A)  celestial 
B)  perihelion 
C)  constellation 
D)  inertia

Question 14

The true shape of the planetary orbits was discovered by___________ .

Accepted Answer

A)  Johannes Kepler 
B)  Galileo 
C)  Nicolaus Copernicus 
D)  Sir Isaac Newton 
E)  Tycho Brahe 
A)  Johannes Kepler 
B)  Galileo 
C)  Nicolaus Copernicus 
D)  Sir Isaac Newton 
E)  Tycho Brahe

Question 15

This scientist wrote a book entitled Dialogue of the Great World Systems that compared the Earth- centered system with the Sun- centered system.

Accepted Answer

A)  Galileo 
B)  Nicolaus Copernicus 
C)  Johannes Kepler 
D)  Tycho Brahe 
E)  Sir Isaac Newton 
A)  Galileo 
B)  Nicolaus Copernicus 
C)  Johannes Kepler 
D)  Tycho Brahe 
E)  Sir Isaac Newton

Question 16

Compare and contrast the Ptolemaic System with the Copernican System. Are there any similarities? What are the key differences? How did the prevailing ideas or perspectives of society affect each of these explanations?

Accepted Answer

The Ptolemaic model represents a geocent

Question 17

Any variance in the orbit of a planet from its predicted path is referred to as___________ .

Accepted Answer

A)  perturbation 
B)  Ptolemaic motion 
C)  occultation 
D)  precession 
E)  retrograde motion 
A)  perturbation 
B)  Ptolemaic motion 
C)  occultation 
D)  precession 
E)  retrograde motion

Question 18

Who wrote the book entitled Of the Revolutions of Celestial Spheres De Revolutionibus.?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sir Isaac Newton 
B)  Johannes Kepler 
C)  Galileo 
D)  Nicolaus Copernicus 
E)  Tycho Brahe 
A)  Sir Isaac Newton 
B)  Johannes Kepler 
C)  Galileo 
D)  Nicolaus Copernicus 
E)  Tycho Brahe

Question 19

What is the modern explanation for what the ancient Chinese called "guest stars"?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are comets. 
B)  They are meteorites. 
C)  They are nova or supernova. 
D)  They are planets. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  They are comets. 
B)  They are meteorites. 
C)  They are nova or supernova. 
D)  They are planets. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 20

The average distance from Earth to the Sun is called the___________ unit.

Accepted Answer

A)  atomic 
B)  astronomical 
C)  angle 
D)  aphelion 
A)  atomic 
B)  astronomical 
C)  angle 
D)  aphelion

Exam 21: Origins of Modern Astronomy

Galileo discovered that the Sun has "blemishes," which we call___________ .

Examine the words and/or phrases below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

Alpha Centauri is a famous star because it is one of the closest stars to earth other than the Sun of course.. Where would you look in the night sky for Alpha Centauri?

Why did Galileo's observation that Venus showed phases like the Moon indicate that the geocentric theory of the solar system was not possible?

Lunar eclipses last ___________ than solar eclipses.

Why are there only 4- 7 eclipses per year?

Solar eclipses are___________ lunar eclipses.

One of the discoveries that led to the modern view of the solar system was that the orbits of the planets are not circular but ___________ .

If you determine the number of days in a year with solar time and sidereal time how would they vary?

In the Ptolemaic Greek. model of the universe, ___________.

Earth hits its perihelion position in January. Solar radiation is proportional to the distance squared between the Sun and the earth, so why isn't it hot in "winter" at perihelion?

When Earth is closest to the Sun, its location is referred to as the ___________position.

The true shape of the planetary orbits was discovered by___________ .

This scientist wrote a book entitled Dialogue of the Great World Systems that compared the Earth- centered system with the Sun- centered system.

Compare and contrast the Ptolemaic System with the Copernican System. Are there any similarities? What are the key differences? How did the prevailing ideas or perspectives of society affect each of these explanations?

Any variance in the orbit of a planet from its predicted path is referred to as___________ .

Who wrote the book entitled Of the Revolutions of Celestial Spheres De Revolutionibus.?

What is the modern explanation for what the ancient Chinese called "guest stars"?

The average distance from Earth to the Sun is called the___________ unit.

Introduction to Earth Science

Matter and Minerals

Rocks: Materials of the Solid Earth

Plate Tectonics: a Scientific Revolution Unfolds

Earthquakes and Earths Interior

Volcanoes and Other Igneous Activity

Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building

Weathering, Soil, and Mass Movement

Running Water and Groundwater

Glaciers, Deserts, and Wind

Geologic Time

Earths Evolution Through Geologic Time

The Ocean Floor

Ocean Water and Ocean Life

The Dynamic Ocean

The Atmosphere: Composition, Structure, and Temperature

Moisture, Clouds, and Precipitation

Air Pressure and Wind

Weather Patterns and Severe Storms

World Climates and Global Climate Change

Touring Our Solar System

Light, Telescopes, and the Sun

Beyond Our Solar System

Filters