Question 1

Ten inches is equal to:

Accepted Answer

A)  0.39 meters. 
B)  2.54 centimeters. 
C)  3.9 centimeters. 
D)  25.4 centimeters. 
A)  0.39 meters. 
B)  2.54 centimeters. 
C)  3.9 centimeters. 
D)  25.4 centimeters.

Question 2

How much of the overall sky is north of the celestial equator?

Accepted Answer

A)  less than one-half because of the tilt of the equator to the ecliptic plane 
B)  more than one-half because of the precession of the poles 
C)  exactly one-half 
D)  all of it, by definition 
A)  less than one-half because of the tilt of the equator to the ecliptic plane 
B)  more than one-half because of the precession of the poles 
C)  exactly one-half 
D)  all of it, by definition

Question 3

Which of the following statements about eclipses in the Sun-Earth-Moon system is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  A total eclipse of the Sun occurs only at first quarter Moon. 
B)  A total eclipse of the Sun occurs only at new Moon. 
C)  A total eclipse of the Moon occurs only at new Moon. 
D)  A total eclipse of the Sun occurs only at full Moon. 
A)  A total eclipse of the Sun occurs only at first quarter Moon. 
B)  A total eclipse of the Sun occurs only at new Moon. 
C)  A total eclipse of the Moon occurs only at new Moon. 
D)  A total eclipse of the Sun occurs only at full Moon.

Question 4

The tilt angle of Earth's spin axis to the direction perpendicular to the ecliptic (known as the ecliptic pole):

Accepted Answer

A)  is 90° and fixed. 
B)  varies rapidly through the year from +23.5° to -23.5°. 
C)  is 23.5° and fixed. 
D)  is 0° and fixed because this defines the ecliptic plane. 
A)  is 90° and fixed. 
B)  varies rapidly through the year from +23.5° to -23.5°. 
C)  is 23.5° and fixed. 
D)  is 0° and fixed because this defines the ecliptic plane.

Question 5

If you face Polaris,the North Star,you are facing north; therefore:

Accepted Answer

A)  east is to your right and west is to your left, but only if you are in the northern hemisphere. 
B)  east is to your right and west is to your left, whether you are in the northern hemisphere or not. 
C)  west is to your right and east is to your left, but only if you are in the northern hemisphere. 
D)  west is to your right and east is to your left, whether you are in the northern hemisphere or not. 
A)  east is to your right and west is to your left, but only if you are in the northern hemisphere. 
B)  east is to your right and west is to your left, whether you are in the northern hemisphere or not. 
C)  west is to your right and east is to your left, but only if you are in the northern hemisphere. 
D)  west is to your right and east is to your left, whether you are in the northern hemisphere or not.

Question 6

Which of the following statements describing the situation at a mid-latitude site at the time of equinox is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  Day and night are of equal length. 
B)  The midday Sun is at its highest in the sky on this date. 
C)  There is no real darkness at this site on this date, only extended twilight. 
D)  This is the longest day at this site. 
A)  Day and night are of equal length. 
B)  The midday Sun is at its highest in the sky on this date. 
C)  There is no real darkness at this site on this date, only extended twilight. 
D)  This is the longest day at this site.

Question 7

In which way does the Moon move day by day in the sky,against the background of stars,when viewed from Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  toward the west 
B)  in no particular direction and with no particular pattern 
C)  toward the north in summer and the south in winter 
D)  toward the east 
A)  toward the west 
B)  in no particular direction and with no particular pattern 
C)  toward the north in summer and the south in winter 
D)  toward the east

Question 8

Winter in the northern hemisphere occurs when:

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth is farthest from the ecliptic plane. 
B)  Earth's axis is at its largest angle with respect to the ecliptic plane because of precession. 
C)  Earth is farthest from the Sun in the elliptical orbit. 
D)  sunlight falls most obliquely on that region of Earth. 
A)  Earth is farthest from the ecliptic plane. 
B)  Earth's axis is at its largest angle with respect to the ecliptic plane because of precession. 
C)  Earth is farthest from the Sun in the elliptical orbit. 
D)  sunlight falls most obliquely on that region of Earth.

Question 9

In general,a sundial is NOT a good timekeeper because:

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth's orbital speed around the ecliptic is variable. 
B)  Earth's rotation rate changes throughout the year. 
C)  the Sun's large angular diameter produces a fuzzy shadow. 
D)  the sky is often cloudy. 
A)  Earth's orbital speed around the ecliptic is variable. 
B)  Earth's rotation rate changes throughout the year. 
C)  the Sun's large angular diameter produces a fuzzy shadow. 
D)  the sky is often cloudy.

Question 10

The direction of motion of the Moon in the sky,viewed from Earth against the background of stars (see Figure 1-22,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.),is:

Accepted Answer

A)  always eastward. 
B)  mostly eastward, but occasionally (at full Moon) westward. 
C)  always westward, in concert with the stars. 
D)  sometimes eastward but mostly westward. 
A)  always eastward. 
B)  mostly eastward, but occasionally (at full Moon) westward. 
C)  always westward, in concert with the stars. 
D)  sometimes eastward but mostly westward.

Question 11

Which one of the following statements is CORRECT about the behavior of your zenith (the vertical direction above your head)over a period of 1 year if you were standing on Earth's equator?

Accepted Answer

A)  The angle between your zenith and Earth's spin axis will vary between +23.5° and -23.5° over this period. 
B)  Your zenith will always be perpendicular to Earth's spin axis. 
C)  Your zenith will always remain at a fixed angle of 23.5° to Earth's spin axis. 
D)  Your zenith will always be parallel to Earth's spin axis. 
A)  The angle between your zenith and Earth's spin axis will vary between +23.5° and -23.5° over this period. 
B)  Your zenith will always be perpendicular to Earth's spin axis. 
C)  Your zenith will always remain at a fixed angle of 23.5° to Earth's spin axis. 
D)  Your zenith will always be parallel to Earth's spin axis.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

A)  the pull of Jupiter on Earth. 
B)  the periodic effects of comets passing close to Earth. 
C)  the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth's equatorial bulge. 
D)  changes in the shape of Earth's orbit due to the gravitational pull of the Sun. 
A)  the pull of Jupiter on Earth. 
B)  the periodic effects of comets passing close to Earth. 
C)  the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth's equatorial bulge. 
D)  changes in the shape of Earth's orbit due to the gravitational pull of the Sun.

Question 13

When the northern hemisphere is experiencing winter:

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth is closer to the Sun than it is during northern summer. 
B)  Earth is farther from the Sun than it is during the northern summer. 
C)  Earth is the same distance from the Sun as it is the rest of the year because Earth's orbit is circular with the Sun in the center. 
D)  the southern hemisphere is experiencing winter also. 
A)  Earth is closer to the Sun than it is during northern summer. 
B)  Earth is farther from the Sun than it is during the northern summer. 
C)  Earth is the same distance from the Sun as it is the rest of the year because Earth's orbit is circular with the Sun in the center. 
D)  the southern hemisphere is experiencing winter also.

Question 14

How often does the Moon rotate to keep one face pointed toward Earth at all times,as seen in Figure 1-20 in Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.?

Accepted Answer

A)  once per year 
B)  once per month 
C)  not at all 
D)  once per day 
A)  once per year 
B)  once per month 
C)  not at all 
D)  once per day

Question 15

When we watch the nighttime sky,we find that:

Accepted Answer

A)  the stars and constellations remain fixed in our 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 our 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 16

The precessional motion of Earth's north celestial pole is a circle of 47° diameter across the northern sky over a period of 26,000 years.The equivalent motion of the south celestial pole is a:

Accepted Answer

A)  circle of 47° diameter, covered in a much shorter time, about 1000 years. 
B)  circle of 47° diameter, covered in 26,000 years. 
C)  much smaller circle, covered in 26,000 years. 
D)  The south celestial pole does not move at all during precession. 
A)  circle of 47° diameter, covered in a much shorter time, about 1000 years. 
B)  circle of 47° diameter, covered in 26,000 years. 
C)  much smaller circle, covered in 26,000 years. 
D)  The south celestial pole does not move at all during precession.

Question 17

Seasonal variations on a planet's surface are caused by:

Accepted Answer

A)  clouds that periodically form and disappear as the planet orbits the Sun. 
B)  the tilt of the planet's spin axis with respect to the perpendicular to its orbital plane. 
C)  volcanoes that erupt periodically because of tidal interactions and obscure the atmospheres of planets. 
D)  the variation of the planet's distance from the Sun during its passage along its elliptical orbit. 
A)  clouds that periodically form and disappear as the planet orbits the Sun. 
B)  the tilt of the planet's spin axis with respect to the perpendicular to its orbital plane. 
C)  volcanoes that erupt periodically because of tidal interactions and obscure the atmospheres of planets. 
D)  the variation of the planet's distance from the Sun during its passage along its elliptical orbit.

Question 18

Since antiquity,we have counted 12 zodiac constellations.But during the past century,this number has increased to 13.What caused this change?

Accepted Answer

A)  Precession has caused the path of the Sun to shift against the background of the stars. 
B)  The boundaries of the constellations have been redefined. 
C)  Proper motions of stars have caused the constellations to shift. 
D)  New constellations have been invented within the past century. 
A)  Precession has caused the path of the Sun to shift against the background of the stars. 
B)  The boundaries of the constellations have been redefined. 
C)  Proper motions of stars have caused the constellations to shift. 
D)  New constellations have been invented within the past century.

Question 19

The time that elapses while the Sun moves from one vernal equinox to the next is known as one;

Accepted Answer

A)  Gregorian year. 
B)  solar day. 
C)  sidereal year. 
D)  tropical year. 
A)  Gregorian year. 
B)  solar day. 
C)  sidereal year. 
D)  tropical year.

Question 20

What is the phase of the Moon when it rises at midnight? You may want to sketch a diagram to work this out.Earth rotates toward the east,and the Moon's motion around Earth is also eastward.

Accepted Answer

A)  new 
B)  first quarter 
C)  full 
D)  third quarter 
A)  new 
B)  first quarter 
C)  full 
D)  third quarter

Ten inches is equal to:

How much of the overall sky is north of the celestial equator?

Which of the following statements about eclipses in the Sun-Earth-Moon system is CORRECT?

The tilt angle of Earth's spin axis to the direction perpendicular to the ecliptic (known as the ecliptic pole):

If you face Polaris,the North Star,you are facing north; therefore:

Which of the following statements describing the situation at a mid-latitude site at the time of equinox is CORRECT?

In which way does the Moon move day by day in the sky,against the background of stars,when viewed from Earth?

Winter in the northern hemisphere occurs when:

In general,a sundial is NOT a good timekeeper because:

The direction of motion of the Moon in the sky,viewed from Earth against the background of stars (see Figure 1-22,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.),is:

Which one of the following statements is CORRECT about the behavior of your zenith (the vertical direction above your head)over a period of 1 year if you were standing on Earth's equator?

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

When the northern hemisphere is experiencing winter:

How often does the Moon rotate to keep one face pointed toward Earth at all times,as seen in Figure 1-20 in Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.?

When we watch the nighttime sky,we find that:

The precessional motion of Earth's north celestial pole is a circle of 47° diameter across the northern sky over a period of 26,000 years.The equivalent motion of the south celestial pole is a:

Seasonal variations on a planet's surface are caused by:

Since antiquity,we have counted 12 zodiac constellations.But during the past century,this number has increased to 13.What caused this change?

The time that elapses while the Sun moves from one vernal equinox to the next is known as one;

What is the phase of the Moon when it rises at midnight? You may want to sketch a diagram to work this out.Earth rotates toward the east,and the Moon's motion around Earth is also eastward.

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

The Outer Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

Exam 1: Discovering the Night Sky

Ten inches is equal to:

How much of the overall sky is north of the celestial equator?

Which of the following statements about eclipses in the Sun-Earth-Moon system is CORRECT?

The tilt angle of Earth's spin axis to the direction perpendicular to the ecliptic (known as the ecliptic pole):

If you face Polaris,the North Star,you are facing north; therefore:

Which of the following statements describing the situation at a mid-latitude site at the time of equinox is CORRECT?

In which way does the Moon move day by day in the sky,against the background of stars,when viewed from Earth?

Winter in the northern hemisphere occurs when:

In general,a sundial is NOT a good timekeeper because:

The direction of motion of the Moon in the sky,viewed from Earth against the background of stars (see Figure 1-22,Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.),is:

Which one of the following statements is CORRECT about the behavior of your zenith (the vertical direction above your head)over a period of 1 year if you were standing on Earth's equator?

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

When the northern hemisphere is experiencing winter:

How often does the Moon rotate to keep one face pointed toward Earth at all times,as seen in Figure 1-20 in Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.?

When we watch the nighttime sky,we find that:

The precessional motion of Earth's north celestial pole is a circle of 47° diameter across the northern sky over a period of 26,000 years.The equivalent motion of the south celestial pole is a:

Seasonal variations on a planet's surface are caused by:

Since antiquity,we have counted 12 zodiac constellations.But during the past century,this number has increased to 13.What caused this change?

The time that elapses while the Sun moves from one vernal equinox to the next is known as one;

What is the phase of the Moon when it rises at midnight? You may want to sketch a diagram to work this out.Earth rotates toward the east,and the Moon's motion around Earth is also eastward.

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

The Outer Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters