Astronomy exam 1 - Quiz Questions
Rings on Neptune and Uranus were first discovered by: Select one: a.Direct ground-based telescope observation b.Direct imaging from fly-by spacecraft c.blinking star light prior to the planet occulting a background star d.mapping anomalies in the planet's magnetic field
Blinking star light prior to the planet occultation a background star
In Southern Australia, the Sun will reach the highest point in the sky closest to this date. Select one: a. September equinox b. December Solstice c. June Solstice d. March equinox
December solstice
This terrestrial planet has the highest density leading astronomers to believe that it has a large core relative to the size of the planet. Select one: a.Mercury b.Earth c.Venus d.Mars
Earth
Which of the following was NOT considered one planets prior to the year 1600. Select one: a.Mercury b.Mars c.The Moon d.Earth e.Saturn
Earth
Regarding the three terrestrial planet moons. The terrestrial planets with moons are: Select one: a.Earth and Mars b.Earth only c.Earth, Venus and Mars d.Earth, Mars and Mercury
Earth and Mars
What is the point on the celestial sphere above the Earth's axis of rotation? Select one: a.Celestial pole b.Celestial equator c.Zenith d.Ecliptic
Celestial pole
This Dwarf planet is the largest object in the Main Asteroid belt: Select one: a.Ceres b.Ida c.Bennu d.Gaspera
Ceres
What is the name given to the path of the Sun and planets across the celestial sphere? Select one: a.Meridian b.Horizon c.Ecliptic d.Celestial Equator
Ecliptic
Using Geometry, this scientist was the first to measure the circumference of the Earth. Select one: a.Aristotle b.Plato c.Eratosthenes d.Hipparchus
Eratosthenes
Lunar eclipses may happen each month when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. Select one: a.True b.False
False
One side of the Moon, the "dark side of the moon" is never exposed to sunlight. Select one: True False
False
The Ecliptic is another term for the Celestial Equator. A line in the sky directly above the Earth's equator. Select one: a.True b.False
False
The current calendar used by most of the world has a leap year (366 day year) every 4 years. Select one: a.True b.False
False
If the moon was setting at 6 AM, what does it look like? Select one: a.waxing crescent b.waxing gibbous c.Full d.waning gibbous e.waning crescent f.third quarter
Full
Lunar eclipse can only happen during this phase of the moon. Select one: a.First Quarter b.Full c.More than one d.New
Full
This Italian astronomer built and used a telescope to observe the Sun, Moon, planets and stars. Select one: a.Copernicus b.Tycho c.Galileo d.Kepler
Galileo
This term describes the incorrect Earth centered solar system. Select one: a.Geocentric b.Heliocentric c.Celestial spheres d.Retrograde
Geocentric
The calendar currently used by most of the world that was developed in the 1500's Select one: a.Gregorian b.Green c.Hebrew d.Julian
Gregorian
In the second century this astronomer used self designed tools to accurately measure the position of stars and create an accurate star map. Select one: a.Hipparchus b.Aristotle c.Copernicus d.Ptolemy
Hipparchus
Which of the following are NOT units smaller than a degree? Select one: a.Hour b.Minutes c.Seconds
Hour
With no change in mass, according to Newton's law of Gravity, if the distance of a planet from the Sun tripled, the force of gravity would ... Select one: a.increase by 3 times b.decrease by 3 times c.decrease by 9 times d.increase by 9 times
Increase by 9 times
This moon of Jupiter is known to be the most volcanically active object in the solar system. Select one: a. Io b. Europa c. Ganymede d. Enceladus e. Titan
Io
On this day the Sun will shine directly on the tropic of Cancer. Select one: a.June Solstice b.December Solstice c.Vernal equinox d.Perihelion
June Solstice
Completing one rotation in under 10 hours, located five times further from the Sun than the Earth, this is the largest ringed planet. Select one: a.Jupiter b.Saturn c.Uranus d.Neptune
Jupiter
Over 300 times heavier than planet Earth, this ringed planet is composed mostly of Hydrogen and Helium Select one: a.Neptune b.Uranus c.Saturn d.Jupiter
Jupiter
With a density less than 1 g/cc, and located nearly 10X the Earth-Sun distance, this planet takes approximately 29 years to orbit the Sun. Select one: a.Jupiter b.Saturn c.Uranus d.Neptune Question 2
Jupiter
This law of motion indicates the shape of planetary orbits. Select one: a.Kepler's first law b.Kepler's second law c.Newton's first law d.Newton's second law
Kepler's first law
This law of motion indicates that a planet will travel faster when closer to the Sun and more slowly when at greater distance. Select one: a.Kepler's first law b.Kepler's second law c.Newton's first law d.Newton's second law
Kepler's second law
This statement: "A line segment connecting a planet and the Sun will sweep sectors of equal area in equal time." Select one: a.Kepler's first law b.Kepler's second law c.Newton's first law d.Newton's second law
Kepler's second law
This law of motion established a mathematical relationship between the distance and the orbital period of planets. Select one: a.Kepler's third law b.Kepler's second law c.Newton's first law d.Newton's second law
Kepler's third law
This planet located 1.5 A.U. from the Sun has a rotation period slightly greater than 24 hours. Select one: a.Mercury b.Mars c.Earth d.Venus e.Jupiter
Mars
Strong geologic evidence for running water has been detected on these two terrestrial planets. Select one: a.Mars and Venus b.Earth and Venus c.Mars and Earth d.Earth and Mercury
Mars and Earth
Cyclonic (spinning) storms and weather systems have been detected on all of these planets except Select one: a.Mercury b.Venus c.Earth d.Mars
Mercury
Orbiting spacecraft have been used to detect evidence of active geology on all terrestrial planets EXCEPT Select one: a.Mercury b.Venus c.Earth d.Mars e.ALL have evidence of active geology
Mercury
This planet orbits the Sun in approximately 3 months at a distance less than half of the distance between the Sun and Earth. Select one: a.Venus b.Mercury c.Mars d.Ceres e.Jupiter
Mercury
Water Ice has been detected near the polar regions of all terrestrial planets except Select one: a.Mercury b.Venus c.Earth d.Mars
Mercury
Which of the four terrestrial planets, is believed to have a partially molten interior. Select one: a.Mercury b.Earth c.Venus d.Mars
Mercury
Which planet could NEVER be seen on the meridian at midnight? Select one: a. Mars b. Jupiter c. Saturn d. Mercury
Mercury
Which of the following refers to a rock visibly glowing as it passes through the Earth's atmosphere? a.Asteroid b.Meteoroid c.Meteor d.Meteorite
Meteor
This atmospheric gas is believed to give Uranus and Neptune their distinctive blue/green color Select one: a.Ammonia b.Hydrogen c.Carbon Dioxide d.Methane e.Water Vapor
Methane
What time does the first quarter moon set? Select one: a.6 AM b.9 AM c.Midnight d.3 PM e.6 PM
Midnight
What time does the third quarter moon rise? Select one: a.6 AM b.9 AM c.Midnight d.3 PM e.6 PM
Midnight
Requiring over 160 years to complete an orbit of the Sun, this planet was predicted to exist prior to its discovery in the mid-1800s. Select one: a.Jupiter b.Venus c.Saturn d.Uranus e.Neptune
Neptune
Select the conditions necessary for a total solar eclipse Select one: a.Full moon at perigee b.Full moon at apogee c.New moon at apogee d.New moon at perigee
New moon at perigee
This law of motion indicates that for each action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Select one: a.Kepler's first law b.Kepler's third law c.Newton's first law d.Newton's third law
Newton's third law
What time does the first quarter moon rise? Select one: a.6 AM b.9 AM c.Noon d.3 PM e.6 PM
Noon
This term is used to describe a partial shadow of an object: Select one: a.Umbra b.Penumbra c.Corona d.Perihelion
Penumbra
During this type of eclipse one edge of the Moon may appear to dim slightly. Select one: a.Total Solar b.Penumbral lunar c.Total lunar d.Partial solar
Penumbral Lunar
Carbon Dioxide is a common gas in terrestrial atmospheres typically released by volcanoes. This is not as common in Earth's atmosphere because... Select one: a.Earth has less volcanoes b.Photosynthesis of green plants has removed Carbon Dioxide c.Carbon Dioxide has been lost to space d.Argon in Earth's atmosphere reacts with Carbon Dioxide
Photosynthesis of green plants has removed Carbon Dioxide
Prior to the 2019 fly-by of KBO Arrokoth, observations to characterize it size and location were made using: Select one: a.Earth based RADAR b.precise timing of stellar occultations c.surface feature study by the Hubble space telescope d.changes in the orbital characteristics of the dwarf planet Pluto`
Precise timing of stellar occultations
Neap tides occur during which phase of the Moon? Select one: a.Quarter moons b.Full moon c.New moon d.Full and New moons e.1st Quarter and Full moons
Quarter moons
The apparent backward motion of the planets in their path across the sky. Select one: a.Epicycle b.Inertia c.Heliograde d.Retrograde
Retrograde
Near Earth Asteroids Itokawa and Bennu are best described as: Select one: a.Large solid objects b.Similar in size to the Earth's Moon c.Rubble Piles- conglomeration of rocks weakly held together by gravity d.Comets
Rubble piles - conglomeration of rocks weakly held together by gravity
This quantity best represents the number of known potentially hazardous Near Earth Asteroids: Select one: a.Less than 100 b.Several hundred c.Several thousand d.Greater than 10,000
Several thousand
In the continental US, the Sun will reach the highest point in the sky closest to this date Select one: a. Autumnal equinox b. Vernal equinox c. Summer Solstice d. Winter Solstice
Summer Solstice
The lunar cycle is longer than the lunar orbit because: Select one: a.The slow rotation rate of the Moon b.The fast rotation rate of the Moon c.The Earth is moving around the Sun d.The lunar cycle is the same as the lunar orbit
The earth is moving around the Sun
Which statement correctly describes the term "node" as it applies to orbits and eclipses. Select one: a. The node is the point where the plane of the Moon's orbit around Earth intersects the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun. b. Node is another term for axis tilt c. The node is the point when the Earth passes into the shadow of the Sun d. The node is a synonym for the saros cycle
The node is the point where the plane of the moon's orbit around earth intersects the plane of the Earth's orbit around the sun
All of the following are part of the 2006 definition of a planet EXCEPT Select one: a.The object is in orbit of the Sun b.The object has gravitationally cleared the neighborhood around its orbit c.The object maintains a distance of 1 Astronomical Unit from the Sun d.The object has sufficient mass to assume hydrostatic equilibrium shape. (is round)
The object maintains a distance of 1 astronomical unit from the sun
The following support the giant impact hypothesis for the Moon's formation EXCEPT. Select one: a.Similar rocks on the Earth and Moon b.The moon is slowly increasing distance from the Earth c.The synchronous or tidally locked rotation of the Moon d.The large Pacific Ocean impact structure
The synchronous or tidally locked rotation of the moon
Which of the following terrestrial bodies do NOT show evidence of volcanism? Select one: a.Mercury b.Venus c.Earth d.Mars e.They ALL show evidence of volcanism
They ALL show evidence of volcanism
The term given to a tidal wave that travels up a river or tributary. Select one: a.Spring Tide b.Tidal bore c.Neap tide d.Tsunami
Tidal bore
All of the following are considered Terrestrial planets EXCEPT Select one: a.Titan b.Earth c.Mercury d.Venus e.Mars
Titan
The largest moon of Neptune has a thin Nitrogen atmosphere and unusual surface features: Select one: a.Triton b.Io c.Enceladus d.Mimas e.Europa
Titon
During this type of eclipse, it is possible to see the atmosphere of the Sun. Select one: a.Total Solar b.Annular Solar c.Total lunar d.Partial solar
Total Solar
This type of eclipse only happened during a new moon. Select one: a.Total Solar b.Penumbral lunar c.Total lunar
Total Solar
During this type of eclipse, the Moon may turn an orange or reddish color. Select one: a.Total Solar b.Annular Solar c.Total lunar d.Partial solar
Total lunar
This Astronomer/Astrologer made many careful measurements of the stars an planets, his student went on to establish planetary motion. Select one: a.Copernicus b.Tycho c.Galileo d.Kepler
Tycho
This scientist studied the laws of motion for planets and formulated the idea of Gravity to explain why the planets were in orbit of the Sun. Select one: a.Newton b.Galileo c.Kepler d.Tycho
Tycho
The first planet to be discovered in modern history. Select one: a.Jupiter b.Saturn c.Uranus d.Neptune
Uranus
Of the terrestrial planets, this planet has the thickest atmosphere. (Greatest atmospheric pressure) Select one: a.Mercury b.Venus c.Earth d.Mars
Venus
This planet is the closest in size (mass and diameter) and distance to the Earth. Select one: a.Mercury b.Venus c.Mars d.Neptune
Venus
Unlike all of the other planets, this planet rotates clockwise when viewed from the north pole. Select one: a.Mercury b.Venus c.Jupiter d.Mars e.Saturn
Venus
At the equator, the sun would reach the highest point in the sky on this date. Select one: a. Winter Solstice b. Summer Solstice c. Perihelion d. Vernal equinox
Vernal equinox
If the moon was rising at 3 PM what does it look like? Select one: a.waxing crescent b.waxing gibbous c.Full d.waning gibbous e.waning crescent f.third quarter
Waxing gibbous
The force of gravity on an object may best be described by this property Select one: a.acceleration b.weight c.mass d.density
Weight
Perihelion (when the Earth is close to the Sun) occurs in which Northern Hemisphere Season? Select one: a.Spring b.Summer c.Fall d.Winter
Winter
What is the point on the celestial sphere directly above an observer? Select one: a.Meridian b.Zenith c.Nadir d.Horizon
Zenith
What is the point called right above where you are standing on Earth?
Zentih
On Earth, wind is caused by differential heating of the planet surface. Strong winds on Jovian planets indicate: Select one: a.a sharp contrast between land and ocean heating b.a strong internal heat source c.large contrast between equatorial and polar heating d.interactions with the planetary rings
a strong internal heat source
The largest concentration of asteroids may be found: Select one: a.Between Mercury and the Sun b.Between the orbit of Venus and Earth c.Between the orbit of Earth and Mars d.Between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter e.In the gravitational balance point between Jupiter and the Sun
between the orbit of mars and jupiter
On this day the Sun will shine directly on the tropic of Capricorn. Select one: a.Vernal equinox b.June Solstice c.December Solstice d.Autumnal equinox
december solstice
With constant distance, according to Newton's law of Gravity, if the mass of the Sun decreased by 10 times, the force of gravity would ... Select one: a.decrease by 10 times b.increase by 1/10 c.increase by 10 times d.decrease by 100 times
decrease by 10 times
The Moons of the planet Mars are best described as: Select one: a.Main belt asteroids captured by the gravity of Mars b.Left over debris from the formation of Mars c.Rocks that originated from the Trojan group d.Moons very similar to the Earth's Moon.
main belt asteroids captured by the gravity of Mars
If a ball attached to a string is swung in a circle, then released, the ball will ... Select one: a.continue in a circle for a period of time b.move outwards in a strait line c.move outwards in a spiral trajectory d.move outwards in a parabolic trajectory
move outwards in a strait line
ALL of the following properties may indicate that a rock is a meteorite EXCEPT a.Radioactive b.Widmanstätten Pattern c.Fusion Crust d.Presence of condrules
radioactive
Which of the following would make you weigh half as much as you do right now? Select one: a. Double the distance between the Sun and the Earth. b. Make the Earth spin half as fast c. Take away half of the Earth's mass d. More than one of the above e. Take away half of the Earth's atmosphere
take away half of the Earth's mass
Due to its degenerative, retrograde orbit and icy composition, the largest moon of Neptune is believed to be: Select one: a.a NEA b.a Trojan asteroid c.a captured Main Belt asteroid d.a captured Kuiper Belt object
A captured kuiper belt object
What time is the third quarter moon on the meridian? Select one: a.6 AM b.9 AM c.Noon d.3 PM e.6 PM
3 PM
This number represents the period (time) of the Earth's revolution. Select one: a.23 hrs. 56 min. b.365.25 days c.24 hrs. d.365 days
365.25 days
What is the difference in time between sidereal and solar days? Select one: a. 1/4 of a day b. 4 minutes c. 24 hours d. leap year
4 minutes
What time does the full moon set? Select one: a.6 AM b.9 AM c.Noon d.3 PM e.6 PM
6 AM
What time does the new moon rise? Select one: a.6 AM b.9 AM c.Noon d.3 PM e.6 PM
6 AM
What time does the full moon rise? Select one: a.6 AM b.9 PM c.Midnight d.3 AM e.6 PM
6 PM
What time does the new moon set? Select one: a.6 AM b.9 AM c.Noon d.3 PM e.6 PM
6 PM
Due to recent mathematical modeling, it appears likely that the planets were not always in their current configuration. Which planet was likely the most distant from the Sun for the first billion years of the history of the solar system? Select one: a.Theia b.Jupiter c.Saturn d.Uranus e.Neptune
?
With evidence of volcanoes, a rocky surface, large fields of sand dunes, and sedimentary rocks, this planet has the most identified similarities to Earth. Select one: a.Mercury b.Venus c.Mars d.Earth is the only planet with these features
?
During this type of eclipse, the Sun, Earth and Moon are in alignment. Select one: a.Total Solar b.Annular Solar c.Total lunar d.All of these
All of these
Which of the following may be used to determine if a crater was formed from asteroid impact rather than volcanic eruption? Select one: a.Glass from melted rocks b.High pressure minerals c.Shatter cones d.Enrichment of rare earth metals e.All of these f.B and D only
All of these
From your experience with simulations, which of the following will NOT affect impact crater size? Select one: a.Projectile velocity b.Projectile mass c.Impact angle d.Projectile Density e.All of these choices affect crater size
All of these choices affect crater size
The Geometric principle that was essential to Eratosthenes' calculation Select one: a. Vertical angles are congruent b. The sum of complimentary angles equals 180o c. The sum of supplementary angles equals 180o d. Alternate interior angles are congruent
Alternate interior angles are congruent
Which atmospheric component is NOT significant as a "green-house" or atmospheric warming gas? Select one: a.Water Vapor b.Methane c.Argon d.Carbon Dioxide
Argon
Although Copernicus proposed the idea of a heliocentric model, observations did not fit his predictions because... Select one: a. he incorrectly assumed that planets orbit the sun in circles b. he incorrectly assumed that planets travel along epicycles. c. INCORRECT STATEMENT, Copernicus' model correctly predicted planetary motions d. he incorrectly assumed that planets orbit the Earth.
he incorrectly assumed that planets orbit the sun in circles
With constant distance, according to Newton's law of Gravity, if the mass of the Sun increased by 3 times, the force of gravity would ... Select one: a.decrease by 3 times b.increase by 1/3 c.increase by 3 times d.increase by 9 times
increase by 3 times
The angular altitude of Polaris (the north star) when viewed from the northern hemisphere is equal to Select one: a. the observer's longitude b. the observers Right Ascension c. the observer's latitude d. the path of the Sun
the observer's latitude
Which of the following is NOT true about comet Shoemaker-Levey? Select one: a.Fragmented when it exceeded the Roche limit of Jupiter b.Was explored by a spacecraft c.Impacted Jupiter d.Created Earth sized disruptions in Jupiter's cloud system
was explored by a spacecraft
