Question 1

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: If you lived on the Moon, you'd see full Earth when we see new moon.

Accepted Answer

This is true, because at full

Question 2

Scientific Reasoning: The scientific method requires that we put any hypothesis about how the universe works to the test by conducting observations of the natural world. Consider the Greek reaction to the idea of a heliocentric (Sun- centered)solar system. Why did most Greeks reject this hypothesis in favor of the geocentric (Earth- centered)model? Do you think that the Greeks were following a scientific form of reasoning to reach this conclusion? Does the fact that the Greeks reached the wrong conclusion affect your answer?

Accepted Answer

The Greeks rejected the heliocentric mod

Question 3

Which of the following statements about the Moon is true?

Accepted Answer

A) The Moon goes through a cycle of phases because it always has the same side facing Earth. 
B) The side of the Moon facing away from Earth is in perpetual darkness. 
C) If you see a full moon from North America, someone in South America would see a new moon. 
D) The Moon is visible only at night. 
E) The Moon's distance from Earth varies during its orbit. 
A) The Moon goes through a cycle of phases because it always has the same side facing Earth. 
B) The side of the Moon facing away from Earth is in perpetual darkness. 
C) If you see a full moon from North America, someone in South America would see a new moon. 
D) The Moon is visible only at night. 
E) The Moon's distance from Earth varies during its orbit.

Question 4

A solar eclipse occurs only when the Moon is new.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Which of the following statements about stellar parallax is true?

Accepted Answer

A) The amount of parallax we see depends on how fast a star is moving relative to us. 
B) Stellar parallax was first observed by ancient Greek astronomers. 
C) It takes at least 10 years of observation to measure a star's parallax. 
D) We observe all stars to exhibit at least a slight amount of parallax. 
E) The closer a star is to us, the more parallax it exhibits. 
A) The amount of parallax we see depends on how fast a star is moving relative to us. 
B) Stellar parallax was first observed by ancient Greek astronomers. 
C) It takes at least 10 years of observation to measure a star's parallax. 
D) We observe all stars to exhibit at least a slight amount of parallax. 
E) The closer a star is to us, the more parallax it exhibits.

Question 6

What is the saros cycle?

Accepted Answer

A) the roughly 18- year cycle over which the pattern of eclipses repeats 
B) the annual cycle of the seasons 
C) the roughly one- month cycle of lunar phases in the sky 
D) the 26,000- year cycle of the Earth's precession 
A) the roughly 18- year cycle over which the pattern of eclipses repeats 
B) the annual cycle of the seasons 
C) the roughly one- month cycle of lunar phases in the sky 
D) the 26,000- year cycle of the Earth's precession

Question 7

In any particular place on Earth, certain constellations are visible in the evening only at certain times of the year because _.

Accepted Answer

A) our evening view of space depends on where Earth is located in its orbit around the Sun 
B) during some times of year, some constellations drop below the southern horizon 
C) on any particular night, we can only see stars that are directly opposite (180 degrees away from)the Sun in the sky 
D) some constellations are circumpolar 
A) our evening view of space depends on where Earth is located in its orbit around the Sun 
B) during some times of year, some constellations drop below the southern horizon 
C) on any particular night, we can only see stars that are directly opposite (180 degrees away from)the Sun in the sky 
D) some constellations are circumpolar

Question 8

What is the celestial sphere?

Accepted Answer

A) The celestial sphere is a model of how the stars are arranged in the sky relative to our Sun, which is in the middle of the sphere. 
B) It represents a belief in an Earth- centered universe, and hence is no longer considered to have any use. 
C) The celestial sphere is a representation of how the entire sky looks as seen from Earth. 
D) The celestial sphere is a model that shows the true locations in space of the Sun and a few thousand of the nearest stars. 
A) The celestial sphere is a model of how the stars are arranged in the sky relative to our Sun, which is in the middle of the sphere. 
B) It represents a belief in an Earth- centered universe, and hence is no longer considered to have any use. 
C) The celestial sphere is a representation of how the entire sky looks as seen from Earth. 
D) The celestial sphere is a model that shows the true locations in space of the Sun and a few thousand of the nearest stars.

Question 9

We can't detect stellar parallax with naked- eye observations. Which of the following would make parallax easier to observe?

Accepted Answer

A) slowing down Earth's orbital motion 
B) increasing the size of Earth's orbit 
C) Speeding up the precession of Earth's axis 
D) speeding up Earth's orbital motion 
E) getting away from streetlights 
A) slowing down Earth's orbital motion 
B) increasing the size of Earth's orbit 
C) Speeding up the precession of Earth's axis 
D) speeding up Earth's orbital motion 
E) getting away from streetlights

Question 10

About how many stars are visible to the naked eye on a clear, dark night away from city lights?

Accepted Answer

A) a couple thousand 
B) a few hundred billion 
C) a few dozen 
D) several million 
A) a couple thousand 
B) a few hundred billion 
C) a few dozen 
D) several million

Question 11

What is a circumpolar star?

Accepted Answer

A) a star that is close to the north celestial pole 
B) a star that is visible from the Arctic or Antarctic circles 
C) a star that is close to the south celestial pole 
D) a star that makes a daily circle around the celestial sphere 
E) a star that always remains above your horizon 
A) a star that is close to the north celestial pole 
B) a star that is visible from the Arctic or Antarctic circles 
C) a star that is close to the south celestial pole 
D) a star that makes a daily circle around the celestial sphere 
E) a star that always remains above your horizon

Question 12

The Moon and the Sun are approximately the same angular size.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

You see a crescent Moon setting after the Sun sets. Is it waning or waxing?

Accepted Answer

A) can't distinguish based on the information provided 
B) waxing 
C) waning 
A) can't distinguish based on the information provided 
B) waxing 
C) waning

Question 14

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: If you had a very fast spaceship, you could travel to the celestial sphere in about 100 years.

Accepted Answer

This statement does not make s

Question 15

At approximately what time would a first quarter moon rise?

Accepted Answer

A) 6 A.M. 
B) midnight 
C) noon 
D) 9 A.M. 
E) 6 P.M. 
A) 6 A.M. 
B) midnight 
C) noon 
D) 9 A.M. 
E) 6 P.M.

Question 16

When someone on Earth observes the Moon in the first- quarter phase, someone on the Moon facing Earth observes Earth in the

Accepted Answer

A) full Earth phase. 
B) new Earth phase. 
C) third- quarter Earth phase. 
D) crescent Earth phase. 
E) first- quarter Earth phase. 
A) full Earth phase. 
B) new Earth phase. 
C) third- quarter Earth phase. 
D) crescent Earth phase. 
E) first- quarter Earth phase.

Question 17

Which of the following statements about parallax is not true?

Accepted Answer

A) The technique of stellar parallax was used by Hubble to determine that the Andromeda Galaxy (M 31)is about 2 million light- years away. 
B) You can demonstrate parallax simply by holding up a finger and looking at it alternately from your left and right eyes. 
C) Measurement of stellar parallax allows us to determine distances to nearby stars. 
D) The existence of stellar parallax is direct proof that Earth orbits the Sun. 
E) Ancient astronomers were unable to measure parallax and used the absence of observed parallax as an argument in favor of an Earth- centered universe. 
A) The technique of stellar parallax was used by Hubble to determine that the Andromeda Galaxy (M 31)is about 2 million light- years away. 
B) You can demonstrate parallax simply by holding up a finger and looking at it alternately from your left and right eyes. 
C) Measurement of stellar parallax allows us to determine distances to nearby stars. 
D) The existence of stellar parallax is direct proof that Earth orbits the Sun. 
E) Ancient astronomers were unable to measure parallax and used the absence of observed parallax as an argument in favor of an Earth- centered universe.

Question 18

If our year were twice as long (that is, if Earth took twice as many days to complete each orbit around the Sun), but Earth's rotation period and axis tilt were unchanged, then .

Accepted Answer

A) the Earth would not have seasons 
B) the cycle of precession would take 13,000 years instead of 26,000 years 
C) the four seasons would each be twice as long as they are now 
D) stars would take twice as long to rise and set 
A) the Earth would not have seasons 
B) the cycle of precession would take 13,000 years instead of 26,000 years 
C) the four seasons would each be twice as long as they are now 
D) stars would take twice as long to rise and set

Question 19

You are standing on Earth's equator. Which way is Polaris, the North star?

Accepted Answer

A) directly overhead 
B) 30 degrees up, due West 
C) on the northern horizon 
D) The answer depends on whether it's winter or summer. 
E) The answer depends on what time of day (or night)it is. 
A) directly overhead 
B) 30 degrees up, due West 
C) on the northern horizon 
D) The answer depends on whether it's winter or summer. 
E) The answer depends on what time of day (or night)it is.

Question 20

What is stellar parallax?

Accepted Answer

A) It is the change in the set of constellations that we see at different times of year in the evening sky. 
B) It describes the fact that stars are actually moving relative to one another, even though to our eyes the stars appear fixed in the constellations. 
C) It is the daily rise and set of the stars. 
D) It is the slight back- and- forth shifting of star positions that occurs as we view the stars from different positions in Earth's orbit of the Sun. 
A) It is the change in the set of constellations that we see at different times of year in the evening sky. 
B) It describes the fact that stars are actually moving relative to one another, even though to our eyes the stars appear fixed in the constellations. 
C) It is the daily rise and set of the stars. 
D) It is the slight back- and- forth shifting of star positions that occurs as we view the stars from different positions in Earth's orbit of the Sun.

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: If you lived on the Moon, you'd see full Earth when we see new moon.

Which of the following statements about the Moon is true?

A solar eclipse occurs only when the Moon is new.

Which of the following statements about stellar parallax is true?

What is the saros cycle?

In any particular place on Earth, certain constellations are visible in the evening only at certain times of the year because _.

What is the celestial sphere?

We can't detect stellar parallax with naked- eye observations. Which of the following would make parallax easier to observe?

About how many stars are visible to the naked eye on a clear, dark night away from city lights?

What is a circumpolar star?

The Moon and the Sun are approximately the same angular size.

You see a crescent Moon setting after the Sun sets. Is it waning or waxing?

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: If you had a very fast spaceship, you could travel to the celestial sphere in about 100 years.

At approximately what time would a first quarter moon rise?

When someone on Earth observes the Moon in the first- quarter phase, someone on the Moon facing Earth observes Earth in the

Which of the following statements about parallax is not true?

If our year were twice as long (that is, if Earth took twice as many days to complete each orbit around the Sun), but Earth's rotation period and axis tilt were unchanged, then .

You are standing on Earth's equator. Which way is Polaris, the North star?

What is stellar parallax?

A Modern View of the Universe

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

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Exam 2: Discovering the Universe for Yourself

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: If you lived on the Moon, you'd see full Earth when we see new moon.

Which of the following statements about the Moon is true?

A solar eclipse occurs only when the Moon is new.

Which of the following statements about stellar parallax is true?

What is the saros cycle?

In any particular place on Earth, certain constellations are visible in the evening only at certain times of the year because _.

What is the celestial sphere?

We can't detect stellar parallax with naked- eye observations. Which of the following would make parallax easier to observe?

About how many stars are visible to the naked eye on a clear, dark night away from city lights?

What is a circumpolar star?

The Moon and the Sun are approximately the same angular size.

You see a crescent Moon setting after the Sun sets. Is it waning or waxing?

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: If you had a very fast spaceship, you could travel to the celestial sphere in about 100 years.

At approximately what time would a first quarter moon rise?

When someone on Earth observes the Moon in the first- quarter phase, someone on the Moon facing Earth observes Earth in the

Which of the following statements about parallax is not true?

If our year were twice as long (that is, if Earth took twice as many days to complete each orbit around the Sun), but Earth's rotation period and axis tilt were unchanged, then .

You are standing on Earth's equator. Which way is Polaris, the North star?

What is stellar parallax?

A Modern View of the Universe

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters