Question 1

If a star is described as being in the constellation Leo, a modern astronomer knows that it is:

Accepted Answer

A) somewhere in a particular region of sky having definite boundaries. 
B) in a distant galaxy located in a particular direction from Earth. 
C) inside a region of the sky bounded by two lines of right ascension in the sky. 
D) one of a few individual bright stars that make a picture (of a lion) in the sky. 
A) somewhere in a particular region of sky having definite boundaries. 
B) in a distant galaxy located in a particular direction from Earth. 
C) inside a region of the sky bounded by two lines of right ascension in the sky. 
D) one of a few individual bright stars that make a picture (of a lion) in the sky.

Question 2

In the right ascension coordinate direction, 1 hour corresponds to what equivalent angle?

Accepted Answer

A) 15° 
B) 360° 
C) 1° 
D) variable depending on the time of year 
A) 15° 
B) 360° 
C) 1° 
D) variable depending on the time of year

Question 3

Polaris is our "pole star" at the present time. At approximately what time in history or in the future would the star Thuban be our "pole star?" (See Figure 2-20 of Universe, 11th ed.)
  ​

Accepted Answer

A)  never, since Polaris will always be our "pole star" when viewed from Earth 
B)  1 C.E. 
C)  3000 C.E. 
D)  3000 B.C.E. 
A)  never, since Polaris will always be our "pole star" when viewed from Earth 
B)  1 C.E. 
C)  3000 C.E. 
D)  3000 B.C.E.

Question 4

The declination angle between the north celestial pole and the celestial equator is:

Accepted Answer

A) 360°. 
B) 89° because of the displacement of the Pole Star. 
C) 180°. 
D) 90°. 
A) 360°. 
B) 89° because of the displacement of the Pole Star. 
C) 180°. 
D) 90°.

Question 5

The Arctic Circle is at a latitude of:

Accepted Answer

A) 66.5°N. 
B) 66.5°S. 
C) 23.5°N. 
D) a variable average of 66.5°. 
A) 66.5°N. 
B) 66.5°S. 
C) 23.5°N. 
D) a variable average of 66.5°.

Question 6

Precession of Earth's axis of rotation is caused by:

Accepted Answer

A) changes in the rate of rotation (length of the day) of Earth caused primarily by the gravitational pull of the Moon. 
B) changes in the shape of Earth's orbit due to the gravitational pull of the Moon. 
C) the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on the equatorial bulge of Earth. 
D) changes in the shape of Earth's orbit due to the gravitational pull of the Sun. 
A) changes in the rate of rotation (length of the day) of Earth caused primarily by the gravitational pull of the Moon. 
B) changes in the shape of Earth's orbit due to the gravitational pull of the Moon. 
C) the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on the equatorial bulge of Earth. 
D) changes in the shape of Earth's orbit due to the gravitational pull of the Sun.

Question 7

What is the angle, measured in degrees between two stars of RA = 4h, declination = 0°, and RA = 8h, declination = 0°?

Accepted Answer

A) 4° 
B) 0°, since declinations are equal 
C) 120° 
D) 60° 
A) 4° 
B) 0°, since declinations are equal 
C) 120° 
D) 60°

Question 8

At a particular time, the vernal equinox passes through the celestial meridian of an observer. What is the sidereal time at that site?

Accepted Answer

A) 12 hours (noon) exactly 
B) 0 hours (midnight) exactly 
C) variable, depending on the observer's latitude 
D) variable, depending on the time of year 
A) 12 hours (noon) exactly 
B) 0 hours (midnight) exactly 
C) variable, depending on the observer's latitude 
D) variable, depending on the time of year

Question 9

If Earth's spin axis were perpendicular to Earth's orbital plane (the ecliptic plane), then the seasons and seasonal variation would be:

Accepted Answer

A) very little different from the present seasons. 
B) much faster (shorter seasons), but less severe. 
C) much more severe. 
D) nonexistent. 
A) very little different from the present seasons. 
B) much faster (shorter seasons), but less severe. 
C) much more severe. 
D) nonexistent.

Question 10

The two angles used by astronomers to define the position of a star in the sky and define a coordinate system applicable anywhere on Earth are:

Accepted Answer

A) azimuth and elevation. 
B) latitude and longitude. 
C) horizontal and vertical angles. 
D) right ascension and declination. 
A) azimuth and elevation. 
B) latitude and longitude. 
C) horizontal and vertical angles. 
D) right ascension and declination.

Question 11

Sidereal time is the more fundamental time, since it is a measure of the true rotation rate of Earth. Why then do we govern our lives by solar time rather than sidereal time?

Accepted Answer

A) We cannot divide the day into 24 equal hours of sidereal time. 
B) In sidereal time, the Sun would reach the meridian early or late, sometimes by as much as 17 minutes at certain times of the year. 
C) Different clocks tick at different rates depending on latitude in sidereal time. 
D) We wish to remain in time with the Sun's illumination on Earth, with high Sun angle at about midday every day. 
A) We cannot divide the day into 24 equal hours of sidereal time. 
B) In sidereal time, the Sun would reach the meridian early or late, sometimes by as much as 17 minutes at certain times of the year. 
C) Different clocks tick at different rates depending on latitude in sidereal time. 
D) We wish to remain in time with the Sun's illumination on Earth, with high Sun angle at about midday every day.

Question 12

Which ancient culture discovered a 584-day pattern in the motions of Venus?

Accepted Answer

A) Native Americans in the southwestern United States 
B) Mayan civilization in Central America 
C) Stonehenge builders in England 
D) Observers in ancient Egypt 
A) Native Americans in the southwestern United States 
B) Mayan civilization in Central America 
C) Stonehenge builders in England 
D) Observers in ancient Egypt

Question 13

At what approximate value of declination was the Sun on September 21 this year?

Accepted Answer

A) 23.5° 
B) 90° 
C) 180° 
D) 0° 
A) 23.5° 
B) 90° 
C) 180° 
D) 0°

Question 14

What is the declination of Polaris?

Accepted Answer

A) 0° 
B) 90° 
C) a number that depends on the latitude from which you are observing 
D) a number that changes significantly over a day 
A) 0° 
B) 90° 
C) a number that depends on the latitude from which you are observing 
D) a number that changes significantly over a day

Question 15

If you were standing on the equator, which of the following positions in the sky would pass directly over your head (i.e., through your zenith) at some time in one 24-hour period? (See Figure 2-15 of Universe, 11th ed.)
​
  ​

Accepted Answer

A) the position of the Sun at summer solstice 
B) the ecliptic pole, or perpendicular to the direction of the ecliptic plane 
C) the vernal equinox, or the zero point of the right ascension on the celestial equator 
D) the north celestial pole, or perpendicular to the direction of the celestial equator 
A) the position of the Sun at summer solstice 
B) the ecliptic pole, or perpendicular to the direction of the ecliptic plane 
C) the vernal equinox, or the zero point of the right ascension on the celestial equator 
D) the north celestial pole, or perpendicular to the direction of the celestial equator

Question 16

The beginning of a sidereal day (at midnight, sidereal time) at any location on Earth is defined by the passage of the:

Accepted Answer

A) pole star through the lower meridian at that site. 
B) Sun through the position of the vernal equinox. 
C) vernal equinox through the upper meridian at that site. 
D) pole star through the upper meridian at that site. 
A) pole star through the lower meridian at that site. 
B) Sun through the position of the vernal equinox. 
C) vernal equinox through the upper meridian at that site. 
D) pole star through the upper meridian at that site.

Question 17

What is the primary cause of Earth's seasons?

Accepted Answer

A) The orbit of Earth is an ellipse, so Earth is not always the same distance from the Sun. 
B) Earth's rotation axis tilts with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. 
C) Earth's precession axis precesses (wobbles). 
D) In accord with Kepler's second law, Earth moves faster during parts of its orbit around the Sun and more slowly during other parts. 
A) The orbit of Earth is an ellipse, so Earth is not always the same distance from the Sun. 
B) Earth's rotation axis tilts with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. 
C) Earth's precession axis precesses (wobbles). 
D) In accord with Kepler's second law, Earth moves faster during parts of its orbit around the Sun and more slowly during other parts.

Question 18

Perseus appears high in the sky at midnight in November. Andromeda appears high in the sky at midnight in September. (See Figure 2-5 of Universe, 11th ed.) Where is Andromeda at midnight in November?
​
  ​

Accepted Answer

A) It remains high in the center of the sky. 
B) It will be near the eastern horizon. 
C) It will be near the western horizon. 
D) It will be high in the sky at noon and thus will not be visible. 
A) It remains high in the center of the sky. 
B) It will be near the eastern horizon. 
C) It will be near the western horizon. 
D) It will be high in the sky at noon and thus will not be visible.

Question 19

To what constellation will the north celestial pole be closest in the year 14,000 C.E.? (See Figure 2-20 of Universe, 11th ed.)   ​

Accepted Answer

A) Draco 
B) Lyra 
C) Cepheus 
D) Ursa Major, since the north celestial pole never moves 
A) Draco 
B) Lyra 
C) Cepheus 
D) Ursa Major, since the north celestial pole never moves

Question 20

An observer's celestial meridian is the:

Accepted Answer

A) arc joining the north and south celestial poles through the observer's zenith. 
B) extension of the horizon onto the sky. 
C) plane of Earth's orbit extended onto the sky. 
D) extension of Earth's equator onto the sky. 
A) arc joining the north and south celestial poles through the observer's zenith. 
B) extension of the horizon onto the sky. 
C) plane of Earth's orbit extended onto the sky. 
D) extension of Earth's equator onto the sky.

Exam 2: Knowing the Heavens

If a star is described as being in the constellation Leo, a modern astronomer knows that it is:

In the right ascension coordinate direction, 1 hour corresponds to what equivalent angle?

Polaris is our "pole star" at the present time. At approximately what time in history or in the future would the star Thuban be our "pole star?" (See Figure 2-20 of Universe, 11th ed.) ​

The declination angle between the north celestial pole and the celestial equator is:

The Arctic Circle is at a latitude of:

Precession of Earth's axis of rotation is caused by:

What is the angle, measured in degrees between two stars of RA = 4h, declination = 0°, and RA = 8h, declination = 0°?

At a particular time, the vernal equinox passes through the celestial meridian of an observer. What is the sidereal time at that site?

If Earth's spin axis were perpendicular to Earth's orbital plane (the ecliptic plane), then the seasons and seasonal variation would be:

The two angles used by astronomers to define the position of a star in the sky and define a coordinate system applicable anywhere on Earth are:

Sidereal time is the more fundamental time, since it is a measure of the true rotation rate of Earth. Why then do we govern our lives by solar time rather than sidereal time?

Which ancient culture discovered a 584-day pattern in the motions of Venus?

At what approximate value of declination was the Sun on September 21 this year?

What is the declination of Polaris?

If you were standing on the equator, which of the following positions in the sky would pass directly over your head (i.e., through your zenith) at some time in one 24-hour period? (See Figure 2-15 of Universe, 11th ed.) ​ ​

The beginning of a sidereal day (at midnight, sidereal time) at any location on Earth is defined by the passage of the:

What is the primary cause of Earth's seasons?

Perseus appears high in the sky at midnight in November. Andromeda appears high in the sky at midnight in September. (See Figure 2-5 of Universe, 11th ed.) Where is Andromeda at midnight in November? ​ ​

To what constellation will the north celestial pole be closest in the year 14,000 C.E.? (See Figure 2-20 of Universe, 11th ed.) ​

An observer's celestial meridian is the:

Astronomy and the Universe

Eclipses and the Motion of the Moon

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

The Nature of Light

Optics and Telescopes

Comparative Planetology I: Our Solar System

Comparative Planetology II: the Origin of Our Solar System

The Living Earth

Our Barren Moon

Mercury, Venus, and Mars: Terrestrial, yet Unique

Jupiter and Saturn: Lords of the Planets

Jupiter and Saturns Satellites of Fire and Ice

Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and the Kuiper Belt: Remote Worlds

Asteroids, Comets, and Impacts

Our Star, the Sun

The Nature of the Stars

The Birth of Stars

Stellar Evolution: on and After the Main Sequence

Stellar Evolution: The Death of Stars

Stellar Remnants: Neutron Stars and Black Holes

Our Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Active Galaxies

Cosmology: The Origin and Evolution of the Universe

Exploring the Early Universe

The Search for Extraterrestrial Life

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Polaris is our "pole star" at the present time. At approximately what time in history or in the future would the star Thuban be our "pole star?" (See Figure 2-20 of Universe, 11th ed.)

What is the angle, measured in degrees between two stars of RA = 4^h, declination = 0°, and RA = 8^h, declination = 0°?

If you were standing on the equator, which of the following positions in the sky would pass directly over your head (i.e., through your zenith) at some time in one 24-hour period? (See Figure 2-15 of Universe, 11th ed.)

Perseus appears high in the sky at midnight in November. Andromeda appears high in the sky at midnight in September. (See Figure 2-5 of Universe, 11th ed.) Where is Andromeda at midnight in November?

To what constellation will the north celestial pole be closest in the year 14,000 C.E.? (See Figure 2-20 of Universe, 11th ed.)