Question 1

What is a tropical year?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is the time between seeing the Sun directly overhead in the tropics (between latitudes N 23.5 and S 23.5) and next seeing it directly overhead again. 
B)  It is twice the period of time defined in answer A. 
C)  It is the time from one vernal equinox to the next. 
D)  It is the time between having Polaris as the North Star and having Polaris again as the North Star, divided by 26,000. 
A)  It is the time between seeing the Sun directly overhead in the tropics (between latitudes N 23.5 and S 23.5) and next seeing it directly overhead again. 
B)  It is twice the period of time defined in answer A. 
C)  It is the time from one vernal equinox to the next. 
D)  It is the time between having Polaris as the North Star and having Polaris again as the North Star, divided by 26,000.

Question 2

Which of these statements correctly describes the relationship between stars and constellations?

Accepted Answer

A)  Only stars close to the ecliptic (Earth's orbital plane) are located in constellations. 
B)  Every star is located in a constellation. 
C)  Only the brighter stars are in constellations. 
D)  Only those stars that were visible to the ancient Greeks are located in constellations. 
A)  Only stars close to the ecliptic (Earth's orbital plane) are located in constellations. 
B)  Every star is located in a constellation. 
C)  Only the brighter stars are in constellations. 
D)  Only those stars that were visible to the ancient Greeks are located in constellations.

Question 3

What is the approximate inclination of the Moon's orbit to the ecliptic plane?

Accepted Answer

A)  23.5° 
B)  17° 
C)  0° 
D)  5° 
A)  23.5° 
B)  17° 
C)  0° 
D)  5°

Question 4

Imagine an observer standing on the South Pole (with the south celestial pole at their zenith) at the time of the vernal equinox. Where would the observer see the Sun all day?

Accepted Answer

A)  on the horizon 
B)  well below the horizon 
C)  23.5° above the horizon 
D)  at their zenith 
A)  on the horizon 
B)  well below the horizon 
C)  23.5° above the horizon 
D)  at their zenith

Question 5

An observer measures the angle made by stars as they rise and set. As the observer moves northward from the South Pole, this angle

Accepted Answer

A)  remains the same. 
B)  decreases from 90 to zero. 
C)  decreases from zero to 90 
D)  increases from zero to 90 at the equator and then decreases. 
A)  remains the same. 
B)  decreases from 90 to zero. 
C)  decreases from zero to 90 
D)  increases from zero to 90 at the equator and then decreases.

Question 6

Suppose Earth's tilt with respect to the ecliptic plane were 25° instead of 23½°. What difference would this make? Which statement below is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Summer and winters would be more severe. 
B)  The dates of vernal and autumnal equinox would change. 
C)  The declinations of stars would change. 
D)  The slant angle at which stars would set at a given latitude would not change. 
A)  Summer and winters would be more severe. 
B)  The dates of vernal and autumnal equinox would change. 
C)  The declinations of stars would change. 
D)  The slant angle at which stars would set at a given latitude would not change.

Question 7

The maximum number of eclipses (including both solar and lunar) that can occur in one calendar year is

Accepted Answer

A)  5. 
B)  1. 
C)  7. 
D)  2. 
A)  5. 
B)  1. 
C)  7. 
D)  2.

Question 8

The bright star Procyon is seen to rise on the eastern horizon at 10:00 P.M. on December 1. At approximately what time will this star rise one week later, on December 8?

Accepted Answer

A)  10:00 P.M. 
B)  9:53 P.M. 
C)  9:32 P.M. 
D)  10:28 P.M. 
A)  10:00 P.M. 
B)  9:53 P.M. 
C)  9:32 P.M. 
D)  10:28 P.M.

Question 9

An observer is standing at a position 45° north of the equator and views the stars rising above the horizon. They will move in a direction that makes a slant with the horizon. The direction of this slanted path is from the horizon to the

Accepted Answer

A)  northwest. 
B)  northeast. 
C)  southwest. 
D)  southeast. 
A)  northwest. 
B)  northeast. 
C)  southwest. 
D)  southeast.

Question 10

1 arcsecond is equal to

Accepted Answer

A)  1/3600°. 
B)  1/60°. 
C)  1/360 of a full circle. 
D)  1/60 of a full circle. 
A)  1/3600°. 
B)  1/60°. 
C)  1/360 of a full circle. 
D)  1/60 of a full circle.

Question 11

Polaris, the "pole star," is at present

Accepted Answer

A)  within 1° of the north celestial pole. 
B)  precisely at the north celestial pole, by definition. 
C)  above Earth's magnetic pole. 
D)  exactly perpendicular to the ecliptic plane (ecliptic pole). 
A)  within 1° of the north celestial pole. 
B)  precisely at the north celestial pole, by definition. 
C)  above Earth's magnetic pole. 
D)  exactly perpendicular to the ecliptic plane (ecliptic pole).

Question 12

Why do observers see Cassiopeia sometimes right side up and sometimes upside down?

Accepted Answer

A)  The stars physically move in space, completing a circle around Polaris once each 24 hours. 
B)  The stars physically move in space, completing a circle around Polaris once each year. 
C)  Viewed from Earth, all of the northern circumpolar constellations complete a circle around Polaris once every 24 hours (because of Earth's spin). 
D)  to teach her humility 
A)  The stars physically move in space, completing a circle around Polaris once each 24 hours. 
B)  The stars physically move in space, completing a circle around Polaris once each year. 
C)  Viewed from Earth, all of the northern circumpolar constellations complete a circle around Polaris once every 24 hours (because of Earth's spin). 
D)  to teach her humility

Question 13

One synodic month is longer than one sidereal month by about

Accepted Answer

A)  1 hour. 
B)  2.2 days. 
C)  4 minutes. 
D)  1 week. 
A)  1 hour. 
B)  2.2 days. 
C)  4 minutes. 
D)  1 week.

Question 14

Over the course of one night, an observer at any given location on Earth sees the constellations gradually shift across the sky from east to west. This is caused primarily by the

Accepted Answer

A)  inherent rotation of the universe. 
B)  rotation of Earth around its own axis. 
C)  precession of the spin axis of Earth. 
D)  orbital motion of Earth around the Sun. 
A)  inherent rotation of the universe. 
B)  rotation of Earth around its own axis. 
C)  precession of the spin axis of Earth. 
D)  orbital motion of Earth around the Sun.

Question 15

The lowest amount of solar energy per square meter is incident on the surface of Earth in the northern hemisphere on or about

Accepted Answer

A)  December 21, the beginning of winter. 
B)  March 21, the end of winter. 
C)  September 21, the beginning of fall or autumn. 
D)  January 5, midwinter. 
A)  December 21, the beginning of winter. 
B)  March 21, the end of winter. 
C)  September 21, the beginning of fall or autumn. 
D)  January 5, midwinter.

Question 16

If the Moon is between the Sun and Earth and almost in line with the Sun, its phase is called

Accepted Answer

A)  new Moon. 
B)  gibbous. 
C)  The Moon never goes between the Sun and Earth. 
D)  full Moon. 
A)  new Moon. 
B)  gibbous. 
C)  The Moon never goes between the Sun and Earth. 
D)  full Moon.

Question 17

When observers watch the nighttime sky, they find that

Accepted Answer

A)  the stars and constellations remain fixed in the sky, not rising or setting in a time as short as one night because they are so far away. 
B)  most stars and constellations slowly rise in the east and set in the west. 
C)  most stars and constellations slowly rise in the west and set in the east. 
D)  all stars and constellations reach their highest point in the sky at midnight. 
A)  the stars and constellations remain fixed in the sky, not rising or setting in a time as short as one night because they are so far away. 
B)  most stars and constellations slowly rise in the east and set in the west. 
C)  most stars and constellations slowly rise in the west and set in the east. 
D)  all stars and constellations reach their highest point in the sky at midnight.

Question 18

From any location on Earth, the zenith defines a direction

Accepted Answer

A)  vertically above the North Pole. 
B)  vertically above an observer. 
C)  toward the Sun at noon. 
D)  vertically above a point on the equator. 
A)  vertically above the North Pole. 
B)  vertically above an observer. 
C)  toward the Sun at noon. 
D)  vertically above a point on the equator.

Question 19

In the middle of a winter season an observer sees the Sun rising well south of due east. The person must be located

Accepted Answer

A)  in the northern hemisphere. 
B)  in the southern hemisphere. 
C)  at the equator. 
D)  in either the northern or southern hemisphere. 
A)  in the northern hemisphere. 
B)  in the southern hemisphere. 
C)  at the equator. 
D)  in either the northern or southern hemisphere.

Question 20

The star grouping Leo (the Lion) extends for about 30° along a region close to the celestial equator. At low latitudes to mid-latitudes, roughly how long will it take Leo to rise above the horizon?

Accepted Answer

A)  6 hours 
B)  2 hours 
C)  30 minutes 
D)  30 seconds 
A)  6 hours 
B)  2 hours 
C)  30 minutes 
D)  30 seconds

What is a tropical year?

Which of these statements correctly describes the relationship between stars and constellations?

What is the approximate inclination of the Moon's orbit to the ecliptic plane?

Imagine an observer standing on the South Pole (with the south celestial pole at their zenith) at the time of the vernal equinox. Where would the observer see the Sun all day?

An observer measures the angle made by stars as they rise and set. As the observer moves northward from the South Pole, this angle

Suppose Earth's tilt with respect to the ecliptic plane were 25° instead of 23½°. What difference would this make? Which statement below is NOT true?

The maximum number of eclipses (including both solar and lunar) that can occur in one calendar year is

The bright star Procyon is seen to rise on the eastern horizon at 10:00 P.M. on December 1. At approximately what time will this star rise one week later, on December 8?

An observer is standing at a position 45° north of the equator and views the stars rising above the horizon. They will move in a direction that makes a slant with the horizon. The direction of this slanted path is from the horizon to the

1 arcsecond is equal to

Polaris, the "pole star," is at present

Why do observers see Cassiopeia sometimes right side up and sometimes upside down?

One synodic month is longer than one sidereal month by about

Over the course of one night, an observer at any given location on Earth sees the constellations gradually shift across the sky from east to west. This is caused primarily by the

The lowest amount of solar energy per square meter is incident on the surface of Earth in the northern hemisphere on or about

If the Moon is between the Sun and Earth and almost in line with the Sun, its phase is called

When observers watch the nighttime sky, they find that

From any location on Earth, the zenith defines a direction

In the middle of a winter season an observer sees the Sun rising well south of due east. The person must be located

The star grouping Leo (the Lion) extends for about 30° along a region close to the celestial equator. At low latitudes to mid-latitudes, roughly how long will it take Leo to rise above the horizon?

Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Other Terrestrial Planets

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

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Exam 1: Discovering the Night Sky

What is a tropical year?

Which of these statements correctly describes the relationship between stars and constellations?

What is the approximate inclination of the Moon's orbit to the ecliptic plane?

Imagine an observer standing on the South Pole (with the south celestial pole at their zenith) at the time of the vernal equinox. Where would the observer see the Sun all day?

An observer measures the angle made by stars as they rise and set. As the observer moves northward from the South Pole, this angle

Suppose Earth's tilt with respect to the ecliptic plane were 25° instead of 23½°. What difference would this make? Which statement below is NOT true?

The maximum number of eclipses (including both solar and lunar) that can occur in one calendar year is

The bright star Procyon is seen to rise on the eastern horizon at 10:00 P.M. on December 1. At approximately what time will this star rise one week later, on December 8?

An observer is standing at a position 45° north of the equator and views the stars rising above the horizon. They will move in a direction that makes a slant with the horizon. The direction of this slanted path is from the horizon to the

1 arcsecond is equal to

Polaris, the "pole star," is at present

Why do observers see Cassiopeia sometimes right side up and sometimes upside down?

One synodic month is longer than one sidereal month by about

Over the course of one night, an observer at any given location on Earth sees the constellations gradually shift across the sky from east to west. This is caused primarily by the

The lowest amount of solar energy per square meter is incident on the surface of Earth in the northern hemisphere on or about

If the Moon is between the Sun and Earth and almost in line with the Sun, its phase is called

When observers watch the nighttime sky, they find that

From any location on Earth, the zenith defines a direction

In the middle of a winter season an observer sees the Sun rising well south of due east. The person must be located

The star grouping Leo (the Lion) extends for about 30° along a region close to the celestial equator. At low latitudes to mid-latitudes, roughly how long will it take Leo to rise above the horizon?

Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Other Terrestrial Planets

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters