Astronomy Ch. 1-3 Exam
On a cosmic calendar, in which the history of the universe is compressed into 1 year, when did Kepler and Galileo first discover that we live on a planet in the solar system? A. 1 second ago B. December 30 C. December 25 D. 1 day ago E. 1 week ago
A. 1 second ago
The Metonic cycle is the... A. 19-year period over which the lunar phases occur on about the same dates B. 18-year, 11-day period over which the pattern of eclipses repeats C. 12-month period of a lunar eclipse D. period between successive Easters E. 29 1/2 day period of the lunar cycle
A. 19-year period over which the lunar phases occur on about the same dates
One the scale of the cosmic calendar, in which history of the universe is compressed to 1 year, how long has human civilization existed? A. A few seconds B. Less than a millionth of a second C. About a month D. About half the year E. A few hours
A. A few seconds
If it is midnight in New York, it is... A. Daytime in Sydney, Australia B. Midnight in Sydney, Australia C. Midnight everywhere D. Midnight in Los Angeles E. Midday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A. Daytime in Sydney, Australia
One of the "nails in the coffin" for Earth-centered universe was... A. Galileo's observations of the Moon's of Jupiter B. The phases of the moon C. the retrograde motion of the planets D. Eclipses of the Sun E. Galileo's observation of stars in the Milky Way
A. Galileo's observations of the Moon's of Jupiter
Most of the mass within the Milky Way Galaxy is located... A. In the halo (above/below the disk) B. In the central bulge of the galaxy C. In the stars in the spiral arms D. In the gas and dusk E. Within the disk
A. In the halo (above/below the disk)
Imagine that we put a raisin cake into the oven, with each raisin separated from the others by 1 cm. An hour later, we take it out and the distances between raisins are 3 cm. If you lived in one of the raisins and watched the other raisins as the cake expanded, which of the following would you conclude? A. More distant raisins would be moving away from you faster B. All raisins would be moving away from you at the same speed C. It depends: if you lived in a raisin near the left side of the cake, you'd see other raisins moving away from you, but they'd be coming toward you if you lived in a raisin near the right side of the cake D. More distant raisins would be moving away from you more slowly
A. More distant raisins would be moving away from you faster
By locating the north celestial pole (NCP) in the sky, how can you determine your latitude? A. The altitude of the NCP is the same as your latitude B. The altitude of the NCP is the same as your distance from the North Pole C. Directly overhead D. The answer depends on whether it's winter or summer E. On the northern horizon
A. The altitude of the NCP is the same as your altitude
Orion is visible on winter evenings but not summer evenings because of... A. The location of earth in its orbit B. Baseball on television C. The precession or the Earth's axis D. The tilt of the Earth's axis E. Interference from the full moon
A. The location of earth in its orbit
What conditions are required for a lunar eclipse? A. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun B. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in its ecliptic C. The phase of the moon can be new or full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun D. The phase of the Moon must be new, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic E. The phase of the Moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun
A. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun
Why were ancient peoples unable to detect stellar parallax? A. They did not have the ability to measure very small angles B. They did not look for it C. They did detect it, but they rejected the observations D. They could not see distant stars E. they did not observe for long enough periods of time
A. They did not have the ability to measure very small angles
When did Ptolemy live? A. about 2000 years ago B. about 100 years ago C. about 500 years ago D. about 5000 years ago E. about 1000 years ago
A. about 2000 years ago
The Muslim fast of Ramadan occurs... A. during the ninth month of a 12-month lunar cycle B. during a thirteenth month of the Metonic cycle C. on the spring equinox D. on the summer solstice E. at the end of the Metonic cycle
A. during the ninth month of a 12-month lunar cycle
How long does it take our solar system to complete one orbit around the Milky Way Galaxy? A. 230 thousand years B. 230 million years C. 100 million years D. 1 million years E. 10 thousand years
B. 230 million years
Which of the following best describes the Milky Way galaxy? A. A spherically shaped collection of stars including our solar system and about a dozen other solar systems, stretching about 4 light-years in diameter B. A spiral galaxy with a disc about 100,000 light-years in diameter and containing between 100 billion and 1 trillion stars C. A spherically shaped collection of about 1 million stars that is about 100 light-years in diameter D. A spiral galaxy with a disk about a billion meters in diameter and containing between 100 million and 1 billion stars E. A spiral galaxy with a disk about 100,000 light years in diameter and containing about 100,000 stars
B. A spiral galaxy with a disc about 100,000 light-years in diameter and containing between 100 billion and 1 trillion stars
By studying distant galaxies in the 1920s, Hubble made the following important discovery that led us to conclude that the universe is expanding. A. All galaxies outside the Local Group are moving away from us, and all are moving away at nearly the same speed B. All galaxies outside the Local Group are moving away from us, and the farther away they are, the faster they are going C. All galaxies were born at the same time, and all will die at the same time D. All galaxies outside the Local Group are orbiting the Local Group E. All galaxies contain billions of stars, and all galaxies have spiral shapes
B. All galaxies outside the Local Group are moving away from us, and the farther away they are, the faster they are going
He discovered what we now call Newton's first law of motion. A. Kepler B. Galileo C. Coppernicus D. Ptolemy E. Tycho Brahe
B. Galileo
Which of the following correctly describes the concept of galactic recycling? A. Life is continuously being spread from star to star in the Milky Way B. New stars are continuously being formed in the Milky Way out of gas that has been ejected from a previous generation of stars C. In the formation of a star, no matter is wasted as all excess material ends up recycled into planets D. New galaxies are continuously being formed out of gas ejected from a previous generation of stars E. Stars near the center of the Milky Way are continually recycled to the outskirts of the disk by their orbital motion
B. New stars are continuously being formed in the Milky Way out of gas that has been ejected from a previous generation of stars
When we look into the band of light in our sky that we call the Milky Way, can we see distant galaxies? Why or why not? A. No, because there are only galaxies above and below the plane or the Milky Way. B. No, because the stars, gas, and dust of the Milky Way block us from seeing them C. Yes, there are many other galaxies that we see inside the Milky Way D. Yes, they appear as small, fuzzy patches on the other side of our galaxy
B. No, because the stars, gas, and dust of the Milky Way block us from seeing them
If part of the full Moon passes through Earth's umbra, we will see a(n)... A. Penumbral lunar eclipse B. Partial lunar eclipse C. Total lunar eclipse D. Annular eclipse E. Partial solar eclipse
B. Partial lunar eclipse
He developed a system for predicting planetary positions that remained in use for some 1,500 years. A. Coppernicus B. Ptolemy C. Kepler D. Galileo E. Tycho Brahe
B. Ptolemy
If the Moon is rising at midnight, the phase of the Moon must be: A. Waning crescent B. Third quarter C. First quarter D. Full E. Waxing crescent
B. Third quarter
When someone on Earth observes the Moon in the first-quarter phase, someone on the Moon facing Earth observes Earth in the... A. Crescent earth phase B. Third-quarter phase C. First quarter earth-phase D. Full earth phase E. New earth phase
B. Third-quarter earth phase
At the Sun Dagger in New Mexico, a dagger-shaped beam of sunlight pierces a spiral... A. at noon on the day of full moon of each month B. at noon on the summer solstice C. every day at noon D. during the totality of a total solar eclipse E. at sunset on the spring equinox
B. at noon on the summer solstice
How did Eratosthenes estimate the size of Earth in 240 B.C.? A. by sending fleets of ships around Earth B. by comparing the maximum altitude of the sun in two different cities at different latitudes C. by measuring the size of Earth's shadow on the moon in a lunar eclipse D. by observing the duration of a solar eclipse E. we don't know how he did it since all of his writings were destroyed
B. by comparing the maximum altitude of the sun in two different cities at different latitudes
Which of the following never goes in retrograde motion? A. Venus B. the Sun C. Mars D. Saturn E. Jupiter
B. the Sun
When did humans first learn that Earth is not the center of the universe? A. about 2000 years ago B. within the past 500 years C. Around the time that early humans acquired language D. we haven't, there is still considerable scientific debate about whether earth is the center of the universe
B. within the past 500 years
If the moon is setting at 6am, the phase of the moon must be: A. New B. First quarter C. Full D. Waning crescent E. Third quarter
C. Full
Which of the following is NOT a phase of the moon? A. Third-quarter moon B. New moon C. Half moon D. First-quarter moon E. Full moon
C. Half-moon
Earth is made mostly of metals and rocks. Where did this material come from? A. It was produced in the Big Bang. B. It was made by our sun C. It was produced by nuclear fusion in stars D. It was made by nuclear fission of uranium and other radioactive materials E. It was created by chemical reactions in interstellar space
C. It was produced by by nuclear fusion in stars
Which of the following statements does NOT use the term light-year in an appropriate way? A. The light-year is about 10 trillion kilometers B. It will take a Voyager spacecraft about 20,000 years to travel just one light-year C. It will take me light-years to complete this homework assignment D. It's about 4 light-years from here to Alpha Centauri E. The Milky Way Galaxy is about 100,000 light-years in diameter
C. It will take me light-years to complete this homework assignment
He discovered that the orbits of planets are ellipses. A. Coppernicus B. Ptolemy C. Kepler D. Tycho Brahe E. Galileo
C. Kepler
Which of the following statements about the Milky Way Galaxy is NOT true? A. One rotation of the galaxy takes about 200 million years B. It contains between 100 billion and 1 trillion stars C. Our solar system is located very close to the center of the Milky Way Galaxy D. The galaxy is about 100,000 light years in diameter
C. Our solar system is located very close to the center of the Milky Way Galaxy
Ancient people who knew the Saros cycle could... A. Completely predict every lunar eclipse B. Completely predict every solar eclipse C. Predict when an eclipse would happen, but not necessarily what type and where it would be visible D. Predict when they'd see the next solar eclipse in their area E. Predict what type of eclipse would occur
C. Predict when an eclipse would happen, but not necessarily what type and where it would be visible
He was the first to prove that comets lie beyond Earth's atmosphere. A. Coppernicus B. Kepler C. Tycho Brahe D. Aristotle E. Galileo
C. Tycho Brahe
Ancient people who knew the Saros cycle could... A. completely predict every lunar eclipse B. completely predict every solar eclipse C. predict when an eclipse would happen, but not necessarily what type and where it would be visible D. predict when they'd see the next total solar eclipse in their area E. predict what type of eclipse would occur
C. predict when an eclipse would happen, but not necessarily what type and where it would be visible
Which of the following is the reason for the solar day being longer than a sidereal day? A. earth year being a non-integer number of earth days B. the tilt of Earth's axis C. the combined effect of the rotation of earth and its orbit about the sun D. the non-circular orbit of earth around the sun E. precession of earth's axis
C. the combined effect of the rotation of earth and its orbit about the sun
What happens during the apparent retrograde motion of a planet? A. The planet moves backward through the sky B. the planet moves backward in its orbit and around the Sun C. the planet appears to move eastward with respect to the stars over a period of many nights D. The planet moves thru the constellations that are not part of the zodiac E. the planet rises in the east and sets in the west
C. the planet appears to move eastward with respect to the stars over a period of many nights
Why did Ptolemy have the planets orbiting Earth on "circles upon circles" in his model of the universe? A. to explain why Venus goes thru phases as seen from earth B. to explain why more distant planets take longer to make a circuit thru the constellations of the zodiac C. to explain the fact that planets sometimes appear to move westward, rather than eastward, relative to the stars in our sky D. is to properly account for the varying distances of the planets from earth E. to explain why the Greeks were unable to detect stellar parallax
C. to explain the fact that planets sometimes appear to move westward, rather than eastward, relative to the stars in our sky
If we use 1 millimeter to represent 1 light-year, how large in diameter is the Milky Way Galaxy? A. 100 millimeters B. 1 kilometer C. 1 million millimeters D. 100 meters E. 100 kilometers
D. 100 meters
From Kepler's third law, an asteroid with an orbital period of 8 years lies at an average distance from the Sun equal to... A. 8 astronomical units (AU) B. 2 AU C. it depends on the asteroids mass D. 4 AU E. 16 AU
D. 4 AU
During the Dark Ages in Europe, the scientific work of the ancient Greeks was preserved and further developed primarily by scholars in... A. India B. Greece C. China D. Baghdad E. Rome
D. Baghdad
Suppose we imagine the Sun to be about the size of a grapefruit. Which of the following describes the size and distance of Earth on the same scale? A. Earth is the size of a golf ball about 1 meter from the Sun B. Earth is the size of a marble about 25 meters away from the Sun C. Earth is the size of a point about 1 meter away from the Sun D. Earth is the size of a point about 15 meters away away from the sun E. Earth is the size of a golf ball about 15 meters away from the sun
D. Earth is the size of a point about 15 meters away away from the sun
He discovered that Jupiter has moons. A. Tycho Brahe B. Aristotle C. Ptolemy D. Galileo E. Kepler
D. Galileo
What is the Sun mainly made of? A. Hydrogen and oxygen B. Oxygen and carbon C. Hydrogen and helium D. Hydrogen and helium E. Nearly equal proportions of all elements
D. Hydrogen and helium
Which of the following is largest? A. Size of Pluto's orbit B. 1 light-year C. Distance to the nearest star (other than our Sun) D. Size of a typical galaxy
D. Size of a typical galaxy
Which of the following statements about stellar parallax is true? A. Stellar paralax was first observed by ancient Greek astronomers B. We observe all of the stars to exhibit at least a slight amount of parallax C. The amount of parallax we see depends on how fast a star is moving relative to us D. The closer a star is to us, the more parallax it exhibits E. It takes at least 10 years of observation to measure a star's parallax
D. The closer a star is to us, the more parallax it exhibits
What conditions are required for a solar eclipse? A. The phase of the Moon must be new, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic B. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with the Earth and the Sun C. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic D. The phase of the moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with the Sun and the Earth E. The phase of the moon can be new or full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with the Earth and Sun
D. The phase of the moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with the Sun and the Earth
What is nuclear fusion? A. The process of splitting nuclei to produce energy B. The process of turning matter into pure energy C. A process that occurs only in bombs D. The process of combining lightweight nuclei to make heavier nuclei E. An explosion caused by putting together two volatile chemicals
D. The process of combining lightweight nuclei to make heavier nuclei
From the fact that virtually every galaxy is moving away from us and more distant galaxies are moving away from us at a faster rate than closer ones, we conclude that.... A. We are located in the center of the universe B. The farthest galaxies will eventually be moving faster than the speed of light C. The universe is expanding D. The Milky Way Galaxy is expanding E. The universe is shrinking
D. The universe is expanding
Kepler's second law, which states that as a planet moves around its orbit it sweeps out equal areas in equal times, means that... A. A planets period does not depend on the eccentricity of its orbit B. planets that are farther from the sun move at slower average speeds than nearer planets C. planets have circular orbits D. a planet travels faster when it is nearer to the sun and slower when it is farther from the sun E. the period of a planet does not depend on its mass
D. a planet travels faster when it is nearer to the sun and slower when it is farther from the sun
The point along a planet's orbit where it is closest to the Sun is called the orbit's... A. aphelion B. eccentricity C. semi-major axis D. perihelion E. period
D. perihelion
The ancient goal of astrology was to... A. make a more accurate model of the universe B. predict the passing of the seasons C. antagonize astronomers D. predict human events E. understand the origin of the earth
D. predict human events
The farthest bright galaxies that modern telescopes are capable of seeing are up to... A. 1 billion light years away B. 1 trillion light years away C. 10 million light years away D. 1 million light years away E. 10 billion light years away
E. 10 billion light years away
If the Moon is relatively far from Earth, so that the umbra does not reach Earth, someone directly behind the umbra will see... A. A partial lunar eclipse B. No eclipse C. A partial solar eclipse D. A penumbral solar eclipse E. An annular eclipse
E. An annular eclipse
Which of the following statements about the celestial equator is true at ALL latitudes? A. It extends from your horizon due east, through your zenith, to your horizon due west B. It lies along the band of light we call the Milky Way C. It extends from your horizon due north, through your zenith, to your horizon due south D. It cuts the dome of your local sky exactly in half E. It represents an extension of Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere
E. It represents an extension of Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere
At approximately what time would a first quarter moon rise? A. 9am B. Midnight C. 6pm D. 6am E. Noon
E. Noon
You are standing on Earth's equator. Which way is Polaris, the North star? A. 30 degrees up, due west B. The answer depends on what time of day (or night) it is C. Directly overhead D. The answer depends on whether it's winter or summer E. On the northern horizon
E. On the northern horizon
Which of the following statements about the Moon is true? A. The side of the Moon facing away from Earth is in perpetual darkness B. The Moon goes thru a cycle of phases because it always has the same side facing Earth C. If you see a full Moon from North America, someone in South America will see a new moon D. The moon is only visible at night E. The Moon's distance from Earth varies during its orbit
E. The Moon's distance from Earth varies during its orbit
Why is it summer in the Northern Hemisphere when it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere? A. The northern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun and receives more indirect sunlight B. The northern hemisphere is "on top" of Earth and therefore receives more sunlight C. The northern hemisphere is closer to the sun than the Southern Hemisphere D. It isn't: both hemispheres have the same seasons at the name time E. The northern hemisphere is tilted toward toward the sun and receives more direct sunlight
E. The northern hemisphere is tilted toward toward the sun and receives more direct sunlight
Suppose we imagine the Sun to be about the size of a grapefruit. Which of the following describes the size and distance of Earth on the same scale? A. The size of a small city B. The size of a western state C. The size of a typical dorm room D. The size of a typical campus building E. The size of a typical campus
E. The size of a typical campus
Which of the following statements about circumpolar stars is true at all latitudes? A. They make relatively small circles, traveling clockwise around the north celestial pole B. They are the stars close to the north celestial pole C. You cannot see them from the Southern Hemisphere D. Like all other stars, the rise in the east and set in the west E. They always remain above your horizon
E. They always remain above your horizon
Kepler's Third Law (p2 = a3), means that... A. all orbits with the same semi-major axis have the same period B. a planet's period does not depend on the eccentricity of its orbit C. the period of a planet does not depend on its mass D. planets that are farther from the sun move at slower average speeds than nearer planets E. all of the above are correct
E. all of the above
The principle of Occam's Razor states that... A. scientific explanations may invoke supernatural causes if no other causes are found B. only a model that has survived repeated observational tests deserves to be called a scientific theory C. while personal biases may influence individual scientists, the process of science itself can uncover these biases D. no scientific theory, no matter how well tested, can ever be proved absolutely true E. in explaining natural phenomena, the simplest explanation consistent with the observations is to be preferred
E. in explaining natural phenomena, the simplest explanation consistent with the observations is to be preferred
From Kepler's third law, a hypothetical planet that is twice as far from the Sun as Earth should have a period of... A. 1 Earth year B. a half Earth year C. two earth years D. it depends on the planets mass E. more than two earth years
E. more than two earth years
At approximately what time would a first quarter moon rise? A. 9am B. midnight C. 6pm D. 6am E. noon
E. noon
People of central Africa predicted the weather by... A. observing the path of the planets across the sky B. recording the seasonal changes in average temperatures C. observing the location of the Moon relative to the Sun in the sky D. observing the length of a lunar cycle E. observing the orientation of the crescent moon relative to the horizon
E. observing the orientation of the crescent moon relative to the horizon
The path that led to modern science emerged from ancient civilizations in which part of the world? A. China B. Central and South America C. North America D. Brazil E. the Mediterranean and the Middle East
E. the Mediterranean and the Middle East
True or False Coppernicus was the first person to suggest a Sun-centered solar system
False
Historians trace the origins of a 24-hour day to... A. the Mayans B. the Babylonian astronomer, Meton C. the Aztecs D. The ancient Egyptians E. the druids of the Stonehenge
The ancient Egyptians
True or False A scientific model must make an observational prediction
True
True or False A solar eclipse only occurs when the moon is new
True
True or False Galileo found "imperfections" on the Sun in the form of sunspots and "imperfections" on the Moon in the form of mountains and valleys.
True
True or False Science can say nothing about the validity of non-scientific practices that do not make testable predictions
True
True or False The name's of the seven days of the week are derived from the name's of the members of the solar system that are visible to the naked eye
True