Astronomy Exam II
Which statement is TRUE regarding star clusters and constellations? a. Constellations are among the closest star clusters. b. Constellations are physically bound together by gravity and dark matter c. Star clusters are formed from a nebula and physically bound by gravity d. Constellations and star clusters are two names for the same object.
c. Star clusters are formed from a nebula and physically bound by gravity
This zone of the Sun is characterized by hot gasses (plasma) rising and cooler material sinking. a. Photosphere b. Convective zone c. Chromosphere d. Radiative zone
b. Convective zone
This discovery led to the understanding that galaxies were composed of huge numbers of stars at a vast distance. a. Discovery of a black hole in the center of the Milky Way b. Discovery of individual variable stars in Andromeda. c. Discovery of the caramel and nougat filling, and the chocolate coating on a Milky Way d. The measurement of the doppler rotational velocity of Andromeda
b. Discovery of individual variable stars in Andromeda.
In which of the following galactic objects is star formation likely? a. Supernova remnant b. Hydrogen emission nebula c. Planetary nebula d. Molecular cloud
b. Hydrogen emission nebula
This is the primary energy source for Main Sequence stars. a. Uranium Fission b. Hydrogen to Helium Fusion c. Helium to Carbon Fusion d. Burning of Hydrogen and Oxygen
b. Hydrogen to Helium Fusion
What is the term used to describe the cloud around an old star that has expelled the atmosphere and other outer layers? a. Red Giant b. Planetary Nebula c. Horizontal Branch Nebula d. Emission Nebula
b. Planetary Nebula
What is the best response to this statement - In approximately 6 billion years, it is likely that the Sun may Nova. a. It is likely, Astronomers think that there is greater than 80% chance of this event. b. Probability 0% chance - a nova requires a two-star system. c. It is possible, although rare, there is a 10% chance this could happen.
b. Probability 0% chance - a nova requires a two-star system.
Glowing clouds of gas (or plasma) along lines of twisted magnetic fields: a. Flares b. Prominences c. Sunspots d. Coronal Mass Ejections
b. Prominences
This term is used to describe the hot dense region of a nebula where a new star may be forming. a. Brown Dwarf b. Protostar c. Red Dwarf d. Blue dwarf
b. Protostar
Using the following information choose the star that appears the brightest in the sky: a. Spica m 0.98 b. Rigel m 0.12 c. Alnitak m 1.47 d. Bellatrix m 1.64
b. Rigel m 0.12
Which of the following is NOT a nuclear reaction in a high mass star? a. Hydrogen to Helium fusion b. Uranium Fission c. Silicon to Iron Fusion d. Helium to Carbon Fusion
b. Uranium Fission
As the Sun undergoing nuclear reactions, its mass is: a. increasing b. decreasing c. remaining unchanged
b. decreasing
This term describes how when light enters a different medium and slows. a. specular reflection b. refraction c. scattering d. diffraction
b. refraction
Sunspots typically exhibit a pattern over a period of: a. 1 month b. 1 year c. 11 years d. 1 solar rotation e. 1 century
c. 11 years
This term refers to the intrinsic brightness or how much light is given off by a star. a. Apparent magnitude b. Brightness c. Absolute magnitude d. Intensity
c. Absolute magnitude
The Milky Way is a... a. Irregular galaxy b. Spiral galaxy c. Bar-spiral galaxy d. Elliptical galaxy
c. Bar-spiral galaxy
This galaxy type has an elongated central bulge a. Irregular galaxy b. Spiral galaxy c. Bar-spiral galaxy d. Elliptical galaxy
c. Bar-spiral galaxy
This is the location of the nuclear reactions in the Sun. a. Chromosphere b. Corona c. Core d. Radiative Zone
c. Core
This is the hot outer atmosphere of the Sun that can only be seen from Earth during a total solar eclipse. a. Photosphere b. Convective zone c. Corona d. Chromosphere e. Radiative zone
c. Corona
The discovery of variable stars in the Andromeda galaxy led to the understanding that galaxies were composed of millions of stars at great distance. This discovery in the 1920s was made by: a. Albert Einstein b. Isaac Newton c. Edwin Hubble d. Stephen Hawking
c. Edwin Hubble
This is the primary force at work that is responsible for stellar formation. a. Chemical potential energy b. Magnetism c. Gravity d. Electro-magnetic radiation
c. Gravity
The first neutron star / pulsar was discovered by: a. Albert Einstein in 1920s b. Edwin Hubble in 1930s c. Jocelyn Bell in 1960s d. Stephen Hawking in 1980s
c. Jocelyn Bell in 1960s
This type of reaction (change) is characterized by splitting of heavier atomic nuclei a. Physical change b. Chemical change c. Nuclear Fission d. Nuclear Fusion
c. Nuclear Fission
A small M class star may be similar in size to.... a. Smaller than the planet Mercury b. The planet Earth c. Slightly larger than Jupiter d. Slightly smaller than the Sun
c. Slightly larger than Jupiter
The term hydrostatic equilibrium when applied to the Sun refers to: a. The balance of element hydrogen in the Sun b. The balance of stable water molecules in the Sun c. The balance of gravity and explosions preserving the spherical shape d. The rate of rotation of the Sun
c. The balance of gravity and explosions preserving the spherical shape
Which of the following is NOT true about a Horizontal Branch star? a. Helium is fusing to Carbon in the core b. Hydrogen is fusing to Helium out-side of the core c. Horizontal branch phase may last for a billion years d. The star reduces in size from the Red Giant phase
c. The horizontal branch phase may last for a billion years
This is the zone of the Sun where sunspots occur
photosphere
I ∝ 1/r^2 Assuming constant solar luminosity (light output from the Sun) Compared to the brightness at the Earth (1), what is the relative brightness of the Sun for a comet that is at a distance of 14 AU from the Sun? (Use 4 decimal places in your answer NO UNITS NECESSARY)
0.0051
I ∝ 1/r^2 Assuming constant solar luminosity (light output from the Sun) Compared to the brightness at the Earth (1), what is the relative brightness of the Sun for a comet that is at a distance of 5 AU from the Sun? (Use 4 decimal places in your answer NO UNITS NECESSARY)
0.04
λ(max) = 2.9X10^6/T Consider a glowing object. What is the peak wavelength of light emitted by an object that is glowing at a temperature of 3443 kelvin? (Round to nearest whole number and include units)
842 nm
Δ λ/ λ = v/c c= 3X10^5 km/sec Consider a moving astronomical object. What is the speed of motion relative to the observer if the 528 nm wavelength absorption line is shifted by 0.3 nm? (Round to the nearest whole number and include units)
170 km/s
λ(max) = 2.9X10^6/T Consider a glowing object. What is the peak wavelength of light emitted by an object that is glowing at a temperature of 5927 kelvin? (Round to nearest whole number and include units)
489 nm
Δ λ/ λ = v/c c= 3X10^5 km/sec Consider a moving astronomical object. What is the speed of motion relative to the observer if the 581 nm wavelength absorption line is shifted by 1 nm? (Round to the nearest whole number and include units)
516 km/s
Δ λ/ λ = v/c c= 3X10^5 km/sec Consider a moving astronomical object. What is the speed of motion relative to the observer if the 793 nm wavelength absorption line is shifted by 1.5 nm? (Round to the nearest whole number and include units)
567 km/s
Which of the following is NOT associated with solar storms and space weather? a. Auroras b. Communication and power black-out c. Radiation storms that affect flights d. Magnetic storms that disrupt navigation e. All of these are risks from solar storms
All of these are risks from solar storms
Is dominated by older stars: a. Irregular galaxy b. Spiral galaxy c. Bar-spiral galaxy d. Elliptical galaxy
Elliptical galaxy
This type of spectra is used to determine the chemical composition of stars. a. Continuous spectrum b. Absorption spectrum c. Emission spectrum d. Seismic spectrum
b. Absorption spectrum
This zone of the Sun is the visible "surface" of the Sun.
Photosphere
Generally, granulation, lighter and darker areas of the photosphere of the Sun are due to... a. Rising and sinking gasses (plasma) in the convective zone b. interactions between prominences and filaments c. Chemical differences in the photosphere d. Absorption of specific wavelengths of light
Rising and sinking gasses (plasma) in the convective zone
Which of the following is NOT true about sunspots? a. Sunspots are disruptions in surface magnetic fields b. Sunspots are frequently associate with solar flares c. Sunspots are cooler than the surrounding surface d. Sunspots are similar in size to terrestrial weather systems
Sunspots are similar in size to terrestrial weather systems
This term refers to the brightness of a star as viewed from our perspective. a. Luminosity b. Apparent magnitude c. Absolute magnitude d. Wattage
b. Apparent magnitude
This statement best represents the lower limit for stellar mass: a. 80 X Jupiter mass b. 10 X Jupiter mass c. 0.5 X Mass of Sun d. 100 X Earth mass
a. 80 X Jupiter mass
Annie Cannon of Harvard University developed the stellar classification system based on this property of stars. a. Color b. Mass c. Stellar velocity d. Size
a. Color
During the Main Sequence phase, this best explains the stability of a star a. Energy from the nuclear explosion is balanced by the force of gravity b. The star's "fire" burns due to the steady supply of oxygen c. None of these - Stars are NOT stable d. The forces of Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion balance each other.
a. Energy from the nuclear explosion is balanced by the force of gravity
These two chemicals make up most of the Sun: a. Hydrogen and Helium b. Hydrogen and Oxygen c. Uranium and Plutonium d. Nitrogen and Oxygen e. Helium and Argon
a. Hydrogen and Helium
Is the smallest type of galaxy a. Irregular galaxy b. Spiral galaxy c. Bar-spiral galaxy d. Elliptical galaxy
a. Irregular galaxy
This galaxy type lacks coherent structure a. Irregular galaxy b. Spiral galaxy c. Bar-spiral galaxy d. Elliptical galaxy
a. Irregular galaxy
In the famous equation, Einstein described the equivalency between energy and: a. Mass b. Motion c. Velocity d. Temperature
a. Mass
Which of the following is NOT an actual motion of stars? a. Parallax b. Rotation c. Orbit in binary system d. Planet induced orbital changes
a. Parallax
This is the zone of the Sun where sunspots occur a. Photosphere b. Convective zone c. Corona d. Chromosphere e. Radiative zone
a. Photosphere
Using the following information, choose the star that gives off the least amount of light: a. Proxima Centauri M 11.05 b. Betelgeuse M -5.85 c. Spica M -3.55 d. Eta Carinae M -10.3
a. Proxima Centauri M 11.05
Rapidly rotating neutron stars with strong beams of EM radiation are known as: a. Pulsars b. Quasars c. Beacon stars d. Accretion discs.
a. Pulsars
Generally, granulation, lighter and darker areas of the photosphere of the Sun are due to a. Rising and sinking gasses (plasma) in the convective zone b. interactions between prominences and filaments c. Chemical differences in the photosphere d. Absorption of specific wavelengths of light
a. Rising and sinking gasses (plasma) in the convective zone
Of these objects, which has the greatest apparent magnitude (m) a. The Sun b. The Moon c. Sirius d. Alpha Centauri
a. The Sun
Where does the Sun's energy come from? a. The combining of light elements into heavier elements b. The breaking apart of heavy elements into lighter ones c. The glow from molten rocks d. Heat left over from the Big Bang
a. The combining of light elements into heavier elements
Particles from the solar wind that interact with planetary magnetospheres and atmospheres may cause: a. Auroras b. Meteor showers c. Occultations d. conjunctions
a. auroras
Most globular clusters are located in this part of the galaxy: a. in the galactic halo b. in the central bulge c. in the spiral arms d. in the disc between the spiral arms
a. in the galactic halo
Star mass may be measured by: a. observing star movement b. measuring star color c. measuring star temperature d. Putting the star on a bathroom scale.
a. observing star movement
This type of reaction (change) is characterized by a change in the state of matter: a. Physical change b. Chemical change c. Nuclear change d. Atomic change
a. physical change
If an object is moving towards an observer, the light will be shifted... a. towards the blue side of the spectrum b. towards the red side of the spectrum c. towards longer wavelengths d. towards lower frequency
a. towards the blue side of the spectrum
Which statement is FALSE about Type 1a supernovae? a. They are extremely bright and visible in very distant galaxies b. They undergo mass transfer similar to a standard Nova c. These are two stages of the same event, Type 1 precedes a Type II d. Modeling of these events was first completed by and Indian astronomer.
c. These are two stages of the same event, Type 1 precedes a Type II
Main Sequence stars of this type are generally the hottest and brightest. a. Type A b. Type F c. Type O d. Type M
c. Type O
Supermassive stars with a core mass greater than two solar mass, may experience core collapse and become: a. a Pulsar b. a QUASAR c. a Black Hole d. a Black Dwarf
c. a Black Hole
The Sun is ___________ of times heavier than the Earth. a. hundreds b. thousands c. hundreds of thousands d. millions
c. hundreds of thousands
Temperatures necessary to initiate nuclear fusion are: a. in the hundreds of degrees b. in the thousands of degrees c. in the 10s of millions of degrees d. extremely cold (near absolute zero)
c. in the 10s of millions of degrees
Temperatures necessary to initiate nuclear fusion are: a. in the hundreds of degrees b. in the thousands of degrees c. in the 10s of millions of degrees d. extremely cold (near absolute zero)
c. in the 10s of millions of degrees
The spiral arms of the Milky Way galaxy are: a. located throughout the halo b. confined to the central bulge c. more dense regions of the galactic disc d. gravitational interactions from the central black hole
c. more dense regions of the galactic disc
If an object is moving away from an observer, the light will be shifted... a. to a higher frequency b. to shorter wavelengths c. towards the red side of the spectrum d. towards the blue side of the spectrum
c. towards the red side of the spectrum
The largest mass stars are: a. ~10 X heavier than the Sun b. ~20 X heavier than the Sun c. ~100 X heavier than the Sun d. There is no limit for how big stars can be
c. ~100 X heavier than the Sun
this type of reaction (change) is characterized by the changes in electron configuration between two or more elements
chemical change
This is the zone of the Sun that is characterized by large clouds of plasma that gather around looping magnetic field lines.
chromosphere
A supernova may give off as much light as: a. 100,000 stars b. 1,000 stars c. 1,000,000 stars d. 1,000,000,000 stars
d. 1,000,000,000 stars
Approximately what temperature is necessary to begin the nuclear fusion of Hydrogen? a. 1000 K b. 10,000 K c. 100,000 K d. 10,000,000 K
d. 10,000,000 K
This is the closest estimate to the size of a neutron star. a. Jupiter sized b. Earth sized c. Moon sized d. 10-40 kilometers
d. 10-40 kilometers
A large supergiant star may be ... a. Similar in size to the Sun b. 10 X the size of the Sun c. 50 X the size of the Sun d. 1000 X the size of the Sun
d. 1000 X the size of the Sun
Which of the following methods has NOT been used to detect binary stars? a. Visual change in position over several years b. Doppler shift of spectral absorption lines c. Changes in light due to eclipses d. All of these have been used to detect binary stars
d. All of these have been used to detect binary stars
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of protoplanetary discs? a. Are commonly found around new forming stars b. Are frequently rotating. c. Are forming planets for a new solar system d. Are no larger than 5 AU from the protostar.
d. Are no larger than 5 AU from the protostar.
Choose the best statement about Black Holes: a. Black holes are theoretical prediction, we have no observational evidence for their existence. b. If the Sun became a black hole, the Earth would be sucked in in less than 1 year c. Black holes are portals to alternate universes. d. Astronomers have numerous observations that confirm the existence of Black Holes
d. Astronomers have numerous observations that confirm the existence of Black Holes
Using the following information choose the star that appears the faintest in the sky: a. Spica m 0.98 b. Rigel m 0.12 c. Alnitak m 1.47 d. Bellatrix m 1.64
d. Bellatrix m 1.64
What is the term used to describe "star-like" objects that are too small to sustain nuclear fusion? a. Red dwarf b. White dwarf c. Proto-planets d. Brown dwarf
d. Brown dwarf
This is the zone of the Sun that is characterized by large clouds of plasma that gather around looping magnetic field lines. a. Photosphere b. Convective zone c. Corona d. Chromosphere e. Radiative zone
d. Chromosphere
This galaxy type lacks nebula and star formation regions. a. Irregular galaxy b. Spiral galaxy c. Bar-spiral galaxy d. Elliptical galaxy
d. Elliptical galaxy
________ is typically the largest (most massive) galaxy a. Irregular galaxy b. Spiral galaxy c. Bar-spiral galaxy d. Elliptical galaxy
d. Elliptical galaxy
Using the following information, choose the star that gives off the greatest amount of light: a. Proxima Centauri M 11.05 b. Betelgeuse M -5.85 c. Spica M -3.55 d. Eta Carinae M -10.3
d. Eta Carinae M -10.3
Which of the following sources of energy is NOT being used to attempt to initiate nuclear fusion in laboratories? a. Light b. Electricity c. Magnetism d. Gravity
d. Gravity
Greater than 90% of the Sun is composed of: a. Nitrogen b. Oxygen c. Helium d. Hydrogen
d. Hydrogen
Which of the following chemicals is most important in the star formation process? a. Oxygen b. Helium c. Iron d. Hydrogen
d. Hydrogen
Which of the following is NOT true of Black Holes a. they have an escape velocity greater than the speed of light, b. material falling into a black hole will lose all volume but preserve mass c. No communication or light can exit the event horizon of a black hole d. NASA is exploring the use of black holes for inter galactic travel.
d. NASA is exploring the use of black holes for inter galactic travel.
This type of reaction (change) is characterized by the combining of two or more light atomic nuclei: a. Physical change b. Chemical change c. Nuclear Fission d. Nuclear Fusion
d. Nuclear Fusion
This type of reaction is responsible for the energy output of the Sun. a. Radioactive decay b. Residual heat from formation collisions c. Nuclear Fission d. Nuclear Fusion
d. Nuclear Fusion
Which of the following is NOT an apparent motion of stars? a. Circumpolar movement b. Seasonal movement c. Parallax shift d. Rotation
d. Rotation
Which of the following is NOT true about a Red Giant Star? a. The star may increase luminosity due to the large size b. It may be 100 X the diameter of the Sun. c. The surface temperature cools d. The core temperature cools
d. The core temperature cools
When a Main Sequence star begins to run out of Hydrogen fuel... Which is NOT true? a. Nuclear reactions in the core slow b. Temperature increases c. Nuclear reactions begin out-side of the core d. The star will supernova
d. The star will supernova
This term describes the non-fusing mostly carbon, glowing, core of a sun sized star: a. Brown Dwarf b. Red Dwarf c. Blue Dwarf d. White Dwarf
d. White Dwarf
Which best describes how far the solar wind travels? a. to planet Earth b. As far as the orbit of Jupiter c. to all terrestrial planets d. As far as the orbit of Saturn e. Beyond Neptune's orbit until it reaches the wind from other stars
e. Beyond Neptune's orbit until it reaches the wind from other stars
This type of reaction or change results in the loss (destruction) of mass: a. Physical change b. Chemical change c. Nuclear Fission d. Nuclear Fusion e. A and B only f. C and D only g. All of the above
f. C and D only (nuclear fission and nuclear fusion)
True or False? Sunspots were first observed by space-based telescopes.
false
This type of reaction (change) is characterized by the splitting of heavier atomic nuclei
nuclear fission
This type of reaction or change results in the loss (destruction) of mass
nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
Eruptions of a burst of charged particles from the photosphere of the Sun are best described as
solar flares
