Question 1

The time for the moon to repeat its cycle of phases is equal to

Accepted Answer

A)  its sidereal period. 
B)  one day. 
C)  one hour. 
D)  one year. 
E)  its synodic period. 
A)  its sidereal period. 
B)  one day. 
C)  one hour. 
D)  one year. 
E)  its synodic period.

Question 2

The summer solstice (at the start of summer) is the point on the ecliptic where the sun

Accepted Answer

A)  crosses the celestial equator moving north. 
B)  crosses the celestial equator moving south. 
C)  is farthest north of the celestial equator halting its northward movement. 
D)  is farthest south of the celestial equator halting its southward movement. 
A)  crosses the celestial equator moving north. 
B)  crosses the celestial equator moving south. 
C)  is farthest north of the celestial equator halting its northward movement. 
D)  is farthest south of the celestial equator halting its southward movement.

Question 3

Diagram 3-1  
-Diagram 3-1 shows three approximate locations of the setting sun along the western horizon. Which number indicates the location of the sun at sunset on December 21 (winter sun) for an observer at a latitude of 48° north of the equator?

Accepted Answer

A)  1 
B)  2 
C)  3 
D)  The sun will set in the east for an observer in the southern hemisphere. 
E)  The sun will not set on December 21 at this latitude. 
A)  1 
B)  2 
C)  3 
D)  The sun will set in the east for an observer in the southern hemisphere. 
E)  The sun will not set on December 21 at this latitude.

Question 4

The inclination of the axis of the earth varies from 22$\degree$ to 24$\degree$ degrees taking ____ to complete a cycle. This is a factor in the Milankovitch hypothesis of ice ages.

Accepted Answer

A)  24 hours 
B)  1 year 
C)  499 years 
D)  41,000 years 
E)  Wrong! The Earth's axis tilt is fixed at exactly 23.50 with no variation whatsoever. 
A)  24 hours 
B)  1 year 
C)  499 years 
D)  41,000 years 
E)  Wrong! The Earth's axis tilt is fixed at exactly 23.50 with no variation whatsoever.

Question 5

The totally eclipsed moon glows coppery red because sunlight reaches the moon's surface after passing through Earth's atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Earth is closest to the sun during the month of January. Explain then why we do not experience our hottest weather in January.

Accepted Answer

Earth is closest to the sun during the m

Question 7

On the autumnal equinox the sun is

Accepted Answer

A)  23° north of the celestial equator. 
B)  23° south of the celestial equator. 
C)  on the celestial equator and moving north with respect to the equator. 
D)  on the celestial equator and moving south with respect to the equator. 
E)  closest to the north celestial pole. 
A)  23° north of the celestial equator. 
B)  23° south of the celestial equator. 
C)  on the celestial equator and moving north with respect to the equator. 
D)  on the celestial equator and moving south with respect to the equator. 
E)  closest to the north celestial pole.

Question 8

A waxing crescent moon is visible

Accepted Answer

A)  near the eastern horizon just before sunrise. 
B)  near the eastern horizon just after sunset. 
C)  near the western horizon just before sunrise. 
D)  near the western horizon just after sunset. 
E)  from sunset until sunrise. 
A)  near the eastern horizon just before sunrise. 
B)  near the eastern horizon just after sunset. 
C)  near the western horizon just before sunrise. 
D)  near the western horizon just after sunset. 
E)  from sunset until sunrise.

Question 9

Why does one cycle of lunar phases take 29.53 days even though the moon orbits Earth in 27.32 days?

Accepted Answer

The discrepancy between the 27.32 days i

Question 10

If the Earth's period of rotation were halved, but the period of revolution about the sun stayed the same,

Accepted Answer

A)  the night would be twice as long. 
B)  the night would be half as long. 
C)  the year would be half as long. 
D)  the length of the day would be unchanged. 
A)  the night would be twice as long. 
B)  the night would be half as long. 
C)  the year would be half as long. 
D)  the length of the day would be unchanged.

Question 11

The observed amount of difference between the perihelion of Earth in early January and aphelion in early July results in the northern hemisphere being _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  cold in January and hot in July 
B)  hot in January and cold in July 
C)  equally cold in both January and July 
D)  equally hot in bot January and July 
E)  Wrong! The seasonal differences in northern hemisphere temperatures is not caused by differences in distance from the sun. 
A)  cold in January and hot in July 
B)  hot in January and cold in July 
C)  equally cold in both January and July 
D)  equally hot in bot January and July 
E)  Wrong! The seasonal differences in northern hemisphere temperatures is not caused by differences in distance from the sun.

Question 12

The ____ is 18 years and 11   days long.

Accepted Answer

A)  sidereal period 
B)  synodic period 
C)  eclipse season 
D)  Saros cycle 
E)  eclipse year 
A)  sidereal period 
B)  synodic period 
C)  eclipse season 
D)  Saros cycle 
E)  eclipse year

Question 13

The ecliptic is

Accepted Answer

A)  the centerline of the zodiac. 
B)  the projection of Earth's orbit on the sky. 
C)  the apparent path of the sun around the sky. 
D)  all of the above. 
E)  none of the above. 
A)  the centerline of the zodiac. 
B)  the projection of Earth's orbit on the sky. 
C)  the apparent path of the sun around the sky. 
D)  all of the above. 
E)  none of the above.

Question 14

Why does the moon glow coppery red during a total lunar eclipse?

Accepted Answer

During a total lunar eclipse, the moon g

Question 15

Do the constellations visible in the sky on a given time of night follow a seasonal pattern? Pick the best answer from those below.

Accepted Answer

A)  No, all of the constellations are visible at one time on any clear night of the year. 
B)  Yes. As the year progresses, the constellations move north or south to different areas of the sky. 
C)  Yes, at a particular time during a winter night all the constellations you can see are different from the ones that appear during a summer night. 
D)  Yes, during a winter night many of the constellations you can see are different from those you can see on a summer night. However, there are some constellations that are visible all year long. 
A)  No, all of the constellations are visible at one time on any clear night of the year. 
B)  Yes. As the year progresses, the constellations move north or south to different areas of the sky. 
C)  Yes, at a particular time during a winter night all the constellations you can see are different from the ones that appear during a summer night. 
D)  Yes, during a winter night many of the constellations you can see are different from those you can see on a summer night. However, there are some constellations that are visible all year long.

Question 16

The elliptical shape of the Earth's orbit varies with time and takes about ____ to complete a cycle. This is a factor in the Milankovitch theory of ice ages.

Accepted Answer

A)  24 hours 
B)  one year 
C)  26 years 
D)  260 years 
E)  100,000 years 
A)  24 hours 
B)  one year 
C)  26 years 
D)  260 years 
E)  100,000 years

Question 17

During an annular eclipse of the sun, the corona of the sun is visible.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Describe the difference between an umbral and a penumbral lunar eclipse as seen by an observer on Earth.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the difference between an umbral and...

Question 19

During the month of June the north celestial pole points approximately toward Polaris, but during the month of December it points

Accepted Answer

A)  far north of Polaris. 
B)  far south of Polaris. 
C)  towards the star Vega. 
D)  towards the star Thuban. 
E)  still approximately towards Polaris. 
A)  far north of Polaris. 
B)  far south of Polaris. 
C)  towards the star Vega. 
D)  towards the star Thuban. 
E)  still approximately towards Polaris.

Question 20

When it is winter in the northern hemisphere, it is ____ in the southern hemisphere.

Accepted Answer

A)  winter 
B)  summer 
C)  spring 
D)  fall 
A)  winter 
B)  summer 
C)  spring 
D)  fall

The time for the moon to repeat its cycle of phases is equal to

The summer solstice (at the start of summer) is the point on the ecliptic where the sun

Diagram 3-1 -Diagram 3-1 shows three approximate locations of the setting sun along the western horizon. Which number indicates the location of the sun at sunset on December 21 (winter sun) for an observer at a latitude of 48° north of the equator?

The inclination of the axis of the earth varies from 22 $\degree$ to 24 $\degree$ degrees taking ____ to complete a cycle. This is a factor in the Milankovitch hypothesis of ice ages.

The totally eclipsed moon glows coppery red because sunlight reaches the moon's surface after passing through Earth's atmosphere.

Earth is closest to the sun during the month of January. Explain then why we do not experience our hottest weather in January.

On the autumnal equinox the sun is

A waxing crescent moon is visible

Why does one cycle of lunar phases take 29.53 days even though the moon orbits Earth in 27.32 days?

If the Earth's period of rotation were halved, but the period of revolution about the sun stayed the same,

The observed amount of difference between the perihelion of Earth in early January and aphelion in early July results in the northern hemisphere being _____.

The ____ is 18 years and 11 days long.

The ecliptic is

Why does the moon glow coppery red during a total lunar eclipse?

Do the constellations visible in the sky on a given time of night follow a seasonal pattern? Pick the best answer from those below.

The elliptical shape of the Earth's orbit varies with time and takes about ____ to complete a cycle. This is a factor in the Milankovitch theory of ice ages.

During an annular eclipse of the sun, the corona of the sun is visible.

Describe the difference between an umbral and a penumbral lunar eclipse as seen by an observer on Earth.

During the month of June the north celestial pole points approximately toward Polaris, but during the month of December it points

When it is winter in the northern hemisphere, it is ____ in the southern hemisphere.

Here and Now

A Users Guide to the Sky

The Origin of Modern Astronomy

Light and Telescopes

Atoms and Spectra

The Sun

The Family of Stars

The Formation and Structure of Stars

The Deaths of Stars

Neutron Stars and Black Holes

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies: Normal and Active

Modern Cosmology

The Origin of the Solar System

Earth and Moon: Bases for Comparative Planetology

Mercury, Venus and Mars

The Outer Solar System

Meteorites, Asteroids, and Comets

Astrobiology: Life on Other Worlds

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Exam 3: Cycles of the Sun and Moon

The time for the moon to repeat its cycle of phases is equal to

The summer solstice (at the start of summer) is the point on the ecliptic where the sun

Diagram 3-1 -Diagram 3-1 shows three approximate locations of the setting sun along the western horizon. Which number indicates the location of the sun at sunset on December 21 (winter sun) for an observer at a latitude of 48° north of the equator?

The inclination of the axis of the earth varies from 22 °\degree° to 24 °\degree° degrees taking ____ to complete a cycle. This is a factor in the Milankovitch hypothesis of ice ages.

The totally eclipsed moon glows coppery red because sunlight reaches the moon's surface after passing through Earth's atmosphere.

Earth is closest to the sun during the month of January. Explain then why we do not experience our hottest weather in January.

On the autumnal equinox the sun is

A waxing crescent moon is visible

Why does one cycle of lunar phases take 29.53 days even though the moon orbits Earth in 27.32 days?

If the Earth's period of rotation were halved, but the period of revolution about the sun stayed the same,

The observed amount of difference between the perihelion of Earth in early January and aphelion in early July results in the northern hemisphere being _____.

The ____ is 18 years and 11 days long.

The ecliptic is

Why does the moon glow coppery red during a total lunar eclipse?

Do the constellations visible in the sky on a given time of night follow a seasonal pattern? Pick the best answer from those below.

The elliptical shape of the Earth's orbit varies with time and takes about ____ to complete a cycle. This is a factor in the Milankovitch theory of ice ages.

During an annular eclipse of the sun, the corona of the sun is visible.

Describe the difference between an umbral and a penumbral lunar eclipse as seen by an observer on Earth.

During the month of June the north celestial pole points approximately toward Polaris, but during the month of December it points

When it is winter in the northern hemisphere, it is ____ in the southern hemisphere.

Here and Now

A Users Guide to the Sky

The Origin of Modern Astronomy

Light and Telescopes

Atoms and Spectra

The Sun

The Family of Stars

The Formation and Structure of Stars

The Deaths of Stars

Neutron Stars and Black Holes

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies: Normal and Active

Modern Cosmology

The Origin of the Solar System

Earth and Moon: Bases for Comparative Planetology

Mercury, Venus and Mars

The Outer Solar System

Meteorites, Asteroids, and Comets

Astrobiology: Life on Other Worlds

Filters

The inclination of the axis of the earth varies from 22 $\degree$ to 24 $\degree$ degrees taking ____ to complete a cycle. This is a factor in the Milankovitch hypothesis of ice ages.