ASTRONOMY FINAL EXAM REVIEW
Match the correct astronomer with his contribution. -Galileo -Newton -Copernicus -Kepler
- GALILEO: his telescope revealed the four moons of Jupiter, a model solar system - NEWTON: his theory explained gravitational forces between bodies - Copernicus: he laid out the order and relative motion of the known solar sytem - KEPLER: the planets move around the Sun in elliptical orbits
Match the property with structures of the galaxy. - Galactic Halo - Bulge - Disk
- Halo: contains the oldest stars - Disk: has the spiral arms - Bulge: has supermassive black whole at the center
The order of mass from lowest to highest is: -black hole -white dwarf -neutron star -brown dwarf
1- *lowest* brown dwarf 2- white dwarf 3- neutron star 4- black hole
In size, from largest to smallest, the correct order for the Galilean moons is: 1 (largest)----------------4(smallest) -Callisto -Ganymede -Europa -Io
1- Ganymede 2- Callisto 3- Io 4- Europa
Which is the correct size order, from smallest to largest? 1 (smallest)----------(largest)4 -Mercury -Venus -Earth -Mars
1- Mercury 2- Mars 3- Venus 4- Earth
The order of evolutionary stages of a star like the Sun would be..... 1-4
1- main sequence 2- red giant 3- planetary nebula 4- white dwarf
From inside out, put the structure of the Sun in correct order? 1 (inside)-----------4 (outside) - convenction zone - photosphere - chromosphere - radiation zone
1- radiation zone 2- convection zone 3- photosphere zone 4- chromosphere
What is the order of visual luminosity from least to most luminous? *1 least----------4 most* -a red giant -a type II supernova -a type I supernova -a nova
1- red giant 2- a nova 3- type 1 supernova 4- type 2 supernova
The spectral class from highest temperature to lower temperature is: 1 (hottest)--------- 7 (coldest) -K -A -O -B -F -M -G
1-O 2-B 3-A 4-F 5-G 6-K 7-M
Match the definition with the word: -meteorite -meteoroid -meteor
1-meteorite: Interplanetary matter that hits the Earth. 2-meteoroid: Interplanetary matter, piece of a comet or asteroid. 3-meteor: Interplanetary matter that enters Earth's atmosphere.
INTERSTELLAR CLOUD
A nebula from which stars are born.
RED DWARF
A small cool, faint star on the main sequence.
BROWN DWARF
A star that does not reach nuclear fusion. "failed star"
Astronomer's analyze starlight to determine a star's Select one: a. temperature b. composition c. motion d. all of the above
D. ALL OF THE ABOVE
Compared with a star with a magnitude of +2, a star with a magnitude of -5 is Select one: a. redder b. the same brightness c. fainter d. brighter
D. BRIGHTER
A hypernova creates a pulsar. Select one: -True -False
FALSE
A sidereal day is four minutes longer than a solar day. Select one: -True -False
FALSE
Geocentric means sun centered. Select one: -True -False
FALSE
Gravity slows the expansion of the universe; dark matter accelerates it. Select one: -True -False
FALSE
Jupiter does not a have a ring. Select one: -True -False
FALSE
Pluto is the only dwarf planet beyond Neptune. Select one: -True -False
FALSE
The Hubble Space Telecope was designed for the radio part of the spectrum. Select one: -True -False
FALSE
The distance between each of the planets from each other are the same. Select one: -True -False
FALSE
The most abundant element in the Sun is helium. Select one: -True -False
FALSE
The wavelengths of the emission lines produced by an element are different from the wavelengths of the absorption lines produced by the same element. Select one: -True -False
FALSE
There are nine planets in the solar system. Select one: -True -False
FALSE
Hayashi Track
Path followed by a protostar during its pre-main sequence phase
PULSAR
Spinning neutron stars with beamed emissions towards Earth.
A comet has two tails, ion and dust. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
A light source moving towards Earth would appear blue shifted. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
Cepheid variables and type I supernova are used as "standard candles" to find distances. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
Essentially, the Great Red Spot is a large cyclonic storm (hurricane). Select one: -True -False
TRUE
For active galaxies, the actual source of the energy emitted is accretion onto a black hole in the galactic nucleus. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
High temperatures, rotation, and magnetic fields are broaden spectral lines. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
If a star's light is redshifted, according to the Doppler Effect it is moving away from us. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
Io is the most geologically active body in the solar system. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
Mars's axial tilt is similar to Earth, therefore it has similar seasons. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
Only stars in close binary systems can move on the main sequence. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
Saturn's rings change orientation as viewed from Earth. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
Stars form from a collapsing cloud that fragments into smaller and smaller pieces. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
Supermassive black holes may play a role in the formation and evolution of galaxies. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
The energy between orbitals are quantized. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
The large volcano on Mars, Olympus Mons, is the largest in the solar system. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
The light year is a measure of distance. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
The two things needed for a magnetic field are a conductive substance in the core and rapid rotation rate. Select one: -True -False
TRUE
ROCHE LOBES
Tear drop shaped zone of gravitational influence around a star.
HYDROSTATIC EQUILIBRIUM
The balance of gravitational and pressure forces.
ABSOLUTE MAGNITUDE
The brightness of an object as seen from 10 pc.
APPARENT MAGNITUDE
The brightness of an object as seen from Earth.
WHITE DWARF
The core that is left over when a low mass star dies.
BLACK DWARF
The endpoint a low mass star when it no longer radiates.
CHANDRASEKHAR LIMIT
The maximum possible mass of a white dwarf.
PLANETARY NEBULA
The result when a red giant ejects its envelope at the end of its life.
SCHWARZCHILD RADIUS
The size of the event horizons around black holes.
Electromagnetic waves can travel in a vacuum. Select one: -True -False
True
From what astronomers can see, the geometry of the universe if flat. Select one: -True -False
True
T TAURI
Unstable prototars that have violent surface activity.
Which unit of distance is the largest? Select one: a. 1 parsec b. 1 AU c. 1 light year d. 1 km
a. 1 parsec
Possible explanations for gamma-ray bursts are: Select one: a. All are possible. b. coalescence of a neutron star binary. c. hypernova-making a black hole. d. a star quake in a magnetar.
a. All are possible.
How do the densities of the jovian and terrestrial planets compare? Select one: a. All terrestrials are more dense than any of the jovians. b. More massive jovians all have high densities, compared to the tiny terrestrials. c. Made from the same solar nebula, they are all similar. d. The closer a planet lies to the Sun, the less its density.
a. All terrestrials are more dense than any of the jovians.
The heliocentric model was actually first proposed by: Select one: a. Aristarchus. b. Aristotle. c. Archimedes. d. Eratosthenes.
a. Aristarchus
Which body has the largest density? Select one: a. Earth b. Moon c. Mercury d. Venus
a. Earth
How does the brightness of a star vary with distance from the star? Select one: a. It decreases as the square of distance. b. It decreases proportional to distance. c. It increases proportional to distance. d. It remains constant.
a. It decreases as the square of distance.
What is the Great Wall? Select one: a. It is a large sheet of galaxies measuring 70 Mpc by 200 Mpc. b. It is the time before the universe started expanding, about which we can never know anything. c. A military protection in China. d. It is an enormous intergalactic cloud of dust and gas that hides more distant galaxies.
a. It is a large sheet of galaxies measuring 70 Mpc by 200 Mpc.
What makes the Crab Nebula supernova remnant unusual as a supernova remnant? Select one: a. It is the remnant of a supernova observed by humans. b. It is the remnant of a supernova that was observed in the 20th century. c. It is the biggest supernova remnant visible. d. It is the nearest supernova remnant.
a. It is the remnant of a supernova observed by humans.
Which of the following statement is NOT true? Select one: a. Jupiter has the largest density of any planet. b. Jupiter has the largest magnetic field of any planet. c. Jupiter has more mass than all the other planets. d. Jupiter has the fastest rotation rate of any planet.
a. Jupiter has the largest density of any planet.
A fatal flaw with Ptolemy's model is its inability to predict the observed phases of Select one: a. Mercury and Venus. b. Jupiter and Saturn. c. the Moon in its monthly cycle. d. Mars and Jupiter.
a. Mercury and Venus
What is the force that keeps a main sequence star from collapsing on itself? Select one: a. Radiation pressure b. Gravitation c. The strong force d. Magnetism
a. Radiation pressure
Star A and star B both have the same temperature, but star A has a larger luminosity. What can you infer about the stars? Select one: a. Star A has a larger radius. b. Star B has a larger radius. c. Star A is redder. d. Star B is redder.
a. Star A has a larger radius.
What perception of the Milky Way Galaxy did astronomers have in 1900? Select one: a. They believed that the Milky Way was the entire universe. b. They believed that the Milky Way was one of billions of galaxies in the universe. c. They believed that, because the Sun was at the center of the Milky Way, it was impossible to see the rest of the universe. d. They believed that the Earth rested inside concentric spheres, with the Milky Way stars fixed to the outermost sphere.
a. They believed that the Milky Way was the entire universe.
Which planet can the pole remain in darkness for 42 years, then have 42 years of constant daylight? Select one: a. Uranus b. Jupiter c. Neptune d. Saturn
a. Uranus
A galaxy is at a distance of one billion light years. Which of the following is true? Select one: a. We see the galaxy the way it was one billion years ago. b. We see the galaxy the way it will be in one billion years. c. We see what our galaxy will be like in one billion years. d. We see the galaxy the way it was when the universe was one billion years old.
a. We see the galaxy the way it was one billion years ago.
A cloud fragment too small to sustain nuclear fusion is: Select one: a. a brown dwarf. b. a T Tauri object. c. a red giant. d. a white dwarf.
a. a brown dwarf.
What is "seeing"? Select one: a. a measurement of the image quality due to air stability b. a measurement of clarity and absence of clouds c. a measure of the quality of the telecsope's optics d. a measurement of the transparency of the scope's objective lens
a. a measurement of the image quality due to air stability
Noting the turnoff mass in a star cluster allows you to determine its Select one: a. age. b. distance. c. number of stars. d. total mass.
a. age
The main sequence turnoff point is useful to determine a star clusters Select one: a. age b. chemical composition c. distance d. mass
a. age
Which is true about the difference between a nova and a supernova? Select one: a. all of the above b. the star is destroyed in a supernova, but not in a nova c. a supernova is more luminous than nova d. a nova can happen more than once, a supernova cannot
a. all of the above
On the H-R diagram, white dwarfs like Sirius B and Procyon B lie Select one: a. at the lower left. b. at the lower right. c. at the top right. d. at the top left.
a. at the lower left.
The Kuiper Belt is found where in the solar system? Select one: a. beyond the orbit of Neptune b. between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter c. among the orbits of the terrestrial planets d. between the orbits of Jupiter and Uranus
a. beyond the orbit of Neptune
Spectroscopic parallax measures distances to stars by placing the star on the H-R diagram according to: Select one: a. both spectral and luminosity class and inferring the luminosity. b. only to spectral class. c. spectroscopic parallax does not use the H-R diagram. d. only luminosity class and calculating distance.
a. both spectral and luminosity class and inferring the luminosity.
Sunspots Select one: a. come in pairs, representing the north and south magnetic fields. b. are always found close to the Sun's poles. c. are relatively constant in number every year. d. were most numerous during the Maunder Minimum.
a. come in pairs, representing the north and south magnetic fields.
Based on galactic rotation curves and cluster dynamics, we think dark matter Select one: a. comprises over 90% of the entire mass of the universe. b. is a minor component of the entire mass of the universe. c. is best detected from the x-rays it produces in the intergalactic medium. d. will have no effect on the fate of the universe.
a. comprises over 90% of the entire mass of the universe.
What are black dwarfs? Select one: a. cooled off white dwarfs that no longer glow visibly b. the end result of massive star evolution c. the lowest mass main sequence stars d. objects that are not quite massive enough to be stars
a. cooled off white dwarfs that no longer glow visibly
Compared with a star of apparent magnitude of -2, a star of apparent magnitude of 0 is Select one: a. fainter b. brighter c. the same brightness d. bluer
a. fainter
According to Hubble's Law, the greater a galaxy's redshift, the Select one: a. faster it is receding from us. b. closer it is to us. c. greater its mass. d. faster it's approaching us.
a. faster it is receding from us.
The expansion rate of the Universe is Select one: a. increasing. b. constant. c. decreasing. d. independent of time.
a. increasing.
The discovery of the cosmic microwave background was important because Select one: a. it was was experimental verification of a prediction from the Big Bang theory. b. it proved that astronomy at radio wavelengths was possible. c. its detection was a major advance in microwave testing. d. it showed the universe must be closed, with more than the critical density here.
a. it was was experimental verification of a prediction from the Big Bang theory.
What is the single most important characteristic in determining how long a star lives? Select one: a. mass b. luminosity c. distance d. radius
a. mass
A surface explosion on a white dwarf, caused by falling matter from the atmosphere of its binary companion, creates what kind of object? Select one: a. nova b. type II supernova c. type I supernova d. hypernova
a. nova
The primary source of the Sun's energy: Select one: a. nuclear fusion. b. electron degeneracy. c. nuclear fission. d. gravitational collapse of the helium core ward.
a. nuclear fusion
When a superior planet is closest to the Earth and at its brightest, it is said to be at ______. Select one: a. opposition b. inferior conjunction c. conjunction d. superior conjunction
a. opposition
Which constituent of our atmosphere is unique only to Earth? Select one: a. oxygen b. nitrogen c. hydrogen d. carbon dioxide
a. oxygen
The third step in the scientific method is: Select one: a. perform an experiment. b. create a hypothesis. c. recognize a problem or question. d. results or conclusion.
a. perform an experiment.
The place in a planet's orbit that is closest to the Sun is called Select one: a. perihelion b. vernal equinox c. aphelion d. None of these; a planet's distance from the Sun never changes.
a. perihelion
That fact that Polaris will not always be the pole star is due to: Select one: a. precession shifting the celestial pole. b. the sidereal day being shorter than the solar day. c. the Earth's revolution being slightly less than exactly 365.25 days. d. the Moon following the ecliptic, instead of the equator.
a. precession shifting the celestial pole
Venus and Earth are sister planets because they are alike in Select one: a. radius and mass b. rotation on their axis c. composition of their atmosphere d. none of the above
a. radius and mass
Which of these is constant for ALL types of electromagnetic radiation in a vacuum? Select one: a. speed b. wavelength c. energy d. frequency
a. speed
As we look at larger scales of the visible universe, we find Select one: a. structure of "clumping" due to filaments and voids. b. very little structure. c. none of the above d. nothing.
a. structure of "clumping" due to filaments and voids.
The absolute magnitude of a star is its brightness as seen from a distance of: Select one: a. ten parsecs. b. one light year. c. one astronomical unit. d. 10 light years.
a. ten parsecs.
Homogeneity and isotropy, taken as assumptions regarding the structure and evolution of the universe, are known as: Select one: a. the Cosmological Principle. b. the Grand Unified Theory. c. Wien's Law d. Hubble's Law.
a. the Cosmological Principle.
The unique feature of Neptune is Select one: a. the Great Dark Spot b. the Great Red Spot c. that its rotational axis is tilted 98 degrees. d. that it has no ring system.
a. the Great Dark Spot
The most famous G type star is: Select one: a. the Sun. b. Polaris. c. Sirius. d. Betelgeuse.
a. the sun
The Sun emits most of its light in which part of the electromagnetic spectrum? Select one: a. the visible b. the ultraviolet c. the infrared d. the radio
a. the visible
The resolution of the scope depends upon Select one: a. the wavelength of the light and the diameter of the scope. b. the brightness of the object. c. whether the telescope is a reflector or a refractor. d. the design of the scope.
a. the wavelength of the light and the diameter of the scope.
Both the Moon and Mercury experience extreme high and low temperatures between night and day because: Select one: a. they have no atmosphere to moderate temperatures over the globe b. their dense atmospheres creates a runaway greenhouse. c. their oceans are much hotter than ours. d. they have no axial tilt, with its equator always exposed to direct sunlight.
a. they have no atmosphere to moderate temperatures over the globe
If it gains sufficient mass, a white dwarf can become a Select one: a. type I supernova. b. type II supernova. c. black dwarf. d. planetary nebula
a. type I supernova.
For a white dwarf to explode entirely as a Type I supernova, it's mass must be Select one: a. at least 0.08 solar masses. b. 1.4 solar masses, the Chandrasekhar Limit. c. 3 solar masses, the Schwartzschild Limit. d. 100 solar masses, the most massive known stars
b. 1.4 solar masses, the Chandrasekhar Limit.
Who proved that the spiral nebulae were other galaxies? Select one: a. Harlow Shapley b. Edwin Hubble c. Huber Curtis d. Henrietta Leavitt
b. Edwin Hubble
The period-luminosity relation was discovered in 1908 by Select one: a. William Herschel. b. Henrietta Leavitt. c. Edwin Hubble. d. Harlow Shapley.
b. Henrietta Leavitt.
Which statement about the Local Group is false? Select one: a. Most of its members are dwarf elliptical and irregular galaxies b. It includes the Abell 1689 cluster. c. It is about three million light years across. d. It contains about 45 member galaxies.
b. It includes the Abell 1689 cluster.
What was unusual about Neptune's discovery? Select one: a. It was the first planet that was seen through a telescope. b. It was the first planet whose existence was predicted by mathematical calculations. c. It was the first planet to be found since the Greeks.
b. It was the first planet whose existence was predicted by mathematical calculations.
What is the prediction for the future of Triton? Select one: a. Its retrograde orbit will throw it back out into the Kuiper Belt again, with Pluto. b. It will provide the raw material for a future neptunian ring. c. Its orbit, while retrograde, is very stable and will not change. d. It will develop active volcanoes as Neptune's tidal stresses become greater.
b. It will provide the raw material for a future neptunian ring.
Who is the father of radio astronomy? Select one: a. Galileo b. Jansky c. Hubble d. Kepler
b. Jansky
Who discovered the first pulsar in 1967? Select one: a. Martin Schwarzschild b. Jocelyn Bell c. Stephen Hawking d. Chandrasekhar
b. Jocelyn Bell
Which of the terrestrials have a magnetic field? Select one: a. Earth and Mars b. Mercury and Earth c. Mercury and Venus d. Mars and Venus
b. Mercury and Earth
________ is the change in an object's apparent position when viewed from two different locations. Select one: a. Parsec b. Parallax c. Arc second d. Lightyear
b. Parallax
Who is credited with the discovery of the cosmic microwave background radiation: Select one: a. Wilkinson b. Penzias and Wilson c. Einstein d. Hubble
b. Penzias and Wilson
One side of the Moon constantly faces Earth, and is never seen. This occurs because Select one: a. the Moon rotates half of its orbital speed. b. The Moon's orbital rotational period is the same as its orbital period. c. the Moon does not rotate on its axis like the Earth. d. the Moon's synodic period is equal to its sidereal period.
b. The Moon's orbital rotational period is the same as its orbital period.
What is true of spiral galaxies? Select one: a. They have no obvious structure. b. The arms orbit the center. c. All orbits are random and irregular. d. They contain only older stars.
b. The arms orbit the center.
Which of these is NOT true about supernovae? Select one: a. Type II involves formation of iron in the core. b. The two types are both closely related to evolution of white dwarfs. c. Type I involves carbon detonation. d. The one in 1987 in the Large Magellanic Cloud was of type II.
b. The two types are both closely related to evolution of white dwarfs.
What is the meaning of a "open" universe? Select one: a. The universe will slow down and stop expanding in an infinite amount of time. b. The universe will expand forever. c. The universe is in a steady state, with constant replacement of matter and energy. d. The universe will someday stop expanding and begin collapsing inward.
b. The universe will expand forever.
The magnetic field tilts of which two bodies are the most unusual? Select one: a. Jupiter and Saturn b. Uranus and Neptune c. Uranus and Venus d. Mercury and Earth
b. Uranus and Neptune
Emission spectra appear as Select one: a. an unbroken rainbow of colors. b. a series of bright, colored lines. c. a rainbow, but with some dark lines on top of the continuum. d. a rainbow with some bright lines on top of the continuum.
b. a series of bright, colored lines
On the H-R diagram, the Sun lies Select one: a. at the bottom left. b. about the middle of the main sequence. c. at the top right. d. at the top left.
b. about the middle of the main sequence.
The rings of Uranus and Neptune are found: Select one: a. in the ecliptic plane. b. around their equators. c. outside the Roche limit. d. All of the above
b. around their equators.
The Kuiper Belt is found where in the solar system? Select one: a. among the orbits of the terrestrial planets b. beyond the orbit of Neptune in the ecliptic c. between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in the ecliptic d. beyond the orbit of Neptune in a spherical shape
b. beyond the orbit of Neptune in the ecliptic
Which of these active regions have the most energy? Select one: a. prominences b. coronal mass ejections c. flares d. sunspots
b. coronal mass ejections
Nuclear fusion in the Sun will Select one: a. never create elements heavier that helium. b. create elements up to and including carbon c. create all elements up to iron d. create elements above iron
b. create elements up to and including carbon
A lunar eclipse can only happen during a _____ moon. Select one: a. first quarter b. full c. new d. waxing gibbous
b. full
Hydrostatic equilibrium in our Sun is the balance between Select one: a. pressure and radiation. b. gravitation and pressure. c. convection and gravitation. d. convection and radiation.
b. gravitation and pressure.
In the Lighthouse model: Select one: a. the star literally turns on and off like a lighthouse beacon. b. if the beam sweeps across us, we will detect a pulse of radiation. c. pulsars are observable only if they lie in the galactic plane. d. all pulsars must have their poles pointed directly toward us.
b. if the beam sweeps across us, we will detect a pulse of radiation.
Most stars, probably all stars, formed Select one: a. in a triple system. b. in a cluster of stars. c. in a binary system. d. all by itself.
b. in a cluster of stars.
How are elements up to iron formed? Select one: a. in a Type I supernova b. in the core of high mass stars c. in a Type II supernova d. in the core of low mass stars
b. in the core of high mass stars
The orbits of most asteroids Select one: a. lie beyond Neptune. b. lie between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter. c. cross the orbit of Earth. d. are nearly circular.
b. lie between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter.
The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram plots ________ against the spectral type or temperature. Select one: a. radius b. luminosity c. color d. mass
b. luminosity
What are the intrinsic properties of stars? Select one: a. distance, temperature, and luminosity b. luminosity, mass, and radius c. mass, radius, and age d. temperature, radius, age
b. luminosity, mass, and radius
What is the key factor that determines the temperature, density, radius, luminosity, and pace of evolution of a protostellar object including where it appears on the main sequence? Select one: a. temperature of the nebula b. mass of the nebula c. composition of the nebula d. location of the nebula
b. mass of the nebula
Galaxies evolve by Select one: a. fragmenting into smaller galaxies. b. merging to form larger galaxies. c. ejecting their gas and dust into interstellar space. d. using up all their gas and becoming ellipticals.
b. merging to form larger galaxies.
To which of these phenomena are X-ray busters most similar? Select one: a. type II supernovae b. novae c. type I supernovae d. hypernovae
b. novae
The Doppler Effect is a phenomenon that allows one to measure an object's Select one: a. temperature. b. radial motion. c. radius. d. chemical composition.
b. radial motion
We have a beam of light that our eyes see as white. What device would enable us to see all of the different wavelengths that that light contains? Select one: a. photometer b. spectroscope c. telescope d. microscope
b. spectroscope
The primary source of the Sun's energy is Select one: a. the slow release of heat left over from the Sun's formation. b. the fusing of hydrogen into helium. c. fission of heavy nuclei to lighter ones. d. the solar magnetic field.
b. the fusing of hydrogen into helium.
The further away a galaxy is Select one: a. the larger it appears. b. the longer ago it existed. c. more massive it is. d. the further ahead in the future it will exist.
b. the longer ago it existed.
The Oort Cloud is believed to be Select one: a. a flattened belt of cometary nuclei just beyond the orbit of Neptune. b. the spherical cloud of comets and some larger icy bodies surrounding the outer solar system. c. a cloud of debris that occasionally encounters the Earth, causing a meteor shower. d. a grouping of asteroids and meteoroids between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
b. the spherical cloud of comets and some larger icy bodies surrounding the outer solar system.
Neptune and Uranus have a bluish tint because: Select one: a. their atmospheres contain hydrogen and helium. b. their atmospheres contain methane, which absorbs red light. c. ammonia ice reflects blue light better than any other color. d. at their distances, the Sun appears blue, the red absorbed by dust in the ecliptic.
b. their atmospheres contain methane, which absorbs red light.
What problem does adaptive optics correct? Select one: a. the opacity of the earth's atmosphere to some wavelengths of light b. turbulence in the earth's atmosphere which creates twinkling c. chromatic aberration due to use of only a single lens objective d. the light pollution of urban areas
b. turbulence in the earth's atmosphere which creates twinkling
Neutron stars and black holes are formed by: Select one: a. type I supernovae. b. type II supernovae. c. mass transfer in binary star systems. d. the star formation process.
b. type II supernovae.
The two forms of electromagnetic radiation that totally penetrate the atmosphere are: Select one: a. visible and infrared light. b. visible and radio waves. c. infrared and microwaves. d. ultraviolet and visible light.
b. visible and radio waves
The solar neutrino problem was that Select one: a. we detected more solar neutrinos than we expected. b. we detected fewer solar neutrinos than we expected. c. we detected the wrong type of neutrinos. d. we can't detect neutrinos.
b. we detected fewer solar neutrinos than we expected.
Which of the characteristics below describes the terrestrial planets? Select one: a. large and gaseous b. weak or no magnetic fields c. small, dark and icy d. widely spaced orbits
b. weak or no magnetic fields
What are the constellations along the ecliptic called? Select one: a. line of nodes b. zodiac c. ecliptic constellations d. zenith
b. zodiac
What is the presently accepted value for the age of the universe? Select one: a. 4.5 billion years. b. 225 million years. c. 13.8 billion years. d. 22 billion years.
c. 13.8 billion years.
The Galactic Year, the time for our solar system to orbit the Galaxy, is about Select one: a. 13.7 billion years. b. 4.5 billion years. c. 225 million years. d. 15 million years.
c. 225 million years.
How long is a day on Mars? Select one: a. 243 Earth days b. 23 hours, 56 minutes c. 24 hours, 36 minutes d. about 4.2 Earth days
c. 24 hours, 36 minutes
Kepler's second law implies what about planetary motion? Select one: a. A planet moves slower when it is closer to the Sun. b. A planet moves at a constant speed during its orbit of the Sun. c. A planet moves faster when it is closer to the Sun. d. This law implies nothing about a planet's motion.
c. A planet moves faster when it is closer to the Sun.
What is the only dwarf planet that resides in the asteroid belt? Select one: a. Eris b. Haumea c. Ceres d. Makemake
c. Ceres
Which of the following criteria of the definition of a planet does Pluto not meet? Select one: a. Orbits the Sun b. Massive enough so that gravity keeps it spherical c. Clears its orbit of debris d. Is a moon
c. Clears its orbit of debris
Which is not a solar system mission? Select one: a. Cassini-Huygens b. New Horizons c. Eros d. Curiosity
c. Eros
What is true of a blackbody? Select one: a. If its temperature doubled, the peak in its curve would be doubled in wavelength. b. It appears black to us, regardless of its temperature. c. Its energy peaks at the wavelength determined by its temperature because of Wien's law. d. It has a complete absence of thermal energy (temperature).
c. Its energy peaks at the wavelength determined by its temperature because of Wien's law.
Who is responsible for the three laws dealing with the various spectra? Select one: a. Bohr. b. Fraunhofer. c. Kirchhoff. d. Einstein.
c. Kirchhoff
The Law of Universal Gravitation was developed by: Select one: a. Galileo. b. Kepler. c. Newton. d. Copernicus.
c. Newton
What is the terminology for the "soil" or thick layer of dust on the Moon caused by meteorite impacts. Select one: a. Ejecta blanket b. Lunar soil c. Regolith d. Craters
c. Regolith
Why are star clusters almost ideal "laboratories" for stellar studies? Select one: a. All stars in the cluster are the same size and luminosity. b. Stars in clusters are all relatively young and therefore shine brightly. c. Stars in clusters have the same age, similar composition, and are at the same distance away. d. Their combined light makes them much easier to spot from a distance.
c. Stars in clusters have the same age, similar composition, and are at the same distance away.
Stage 4 of star formation is when the object can exhibit violent surface activity producing extremely strong protostellar winds. This phase is also called the Select one: a. brown dwarf phase. b. protoplanetary nebula phase c. T Tauri phase. d. protostar phase.
c. T Tauri phase.
What is it about the Sun's corona that astronomers don't understand? Select one: a. During total solar eclipses, the corona sometimes disappears from view. b. The corona seems to absorb 2/3 of the neutrinos that pass thorough it. c. The corona is much hotter than layers of the Sun that are closer to the solar interior. d. No one knows why that part of the Sun's atmosphere does not drift away into space.
c. The corona is much hotter than layers of the Sun that are closer to the solar interior.
What inevitably forces a star like the Sun to evolve away from being a main sequence star? Select one: a. The core begins fusing iron. b. The star uses up all its supply of hydrogen. c. There is no longer nuclear fusion in its core. d. The carbon detonation explodes it as a type I supernova.
c. There is no longer nuclear fusion in its core.
What is true of radio telescopes? Select one: a. They are the smallest, most compact telescopes. b. They can only be used above the atmosphere. c. They have poorer angular resolution than an optical. d. They are most sensitive to the opacity of the ozone layer.
c. They have poorer angular resolution than an optical.
In terms of axial tilt, which of the jovians shows us the largest inclination? Select one: a. Saturn b. Neptune c. Uranus d. Jupiter
c. Uranus
William Herschel thought he had found a comet when he spotted the green disk of: Select one: a. Triton. b. Neptune. c. Uranus. d. Pluto
c. Uranus
The object located at the center of the Galaxy is believed to be: Select one: a. a large cluster of very young and massive stars. b. a quasar. c. a super massive black hole. d. an enormous emission nebula.
c. a super massive black hole.
How long does the sunspot cycle last, on average? Select one: a. about seven years b. about 76 years c. about 11 years d. between 25 and 35 days
c. about 11 years
Most asteroids are found: Select one: a. beyond the orbit of Neptune. b. between the Earth and the Sun. c. between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars. d. orbiting the jovian planets.
c. between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars.
Most of the mass of the Milky Way seems to exist in the form of Select one: a. the black hole in the Galactic Center. b. hydrogen gas in the disk and spiral arms. c. dark matter out in the Halo. d. population II stars in the Halo.
c. dark matter out in the Halo.
The center of the universe Select one: a. is the Sun. b. is the Milky Way. c. does not exist anywhere in space. d. is where the Big Bang happened.
c. does not exist anywhere in space.
White dwarfs are kept from collapsing inward by Select one: a. nuclear fusion. b. gravity. c. electron degeneracy. d. nothing.
c. electron degeneracy.
If you could find a bathtub big enough for Saturn, the planet would: Select one: a. sink due to its metallic interior. b. catch fire, as liquid sodium reacts with water. c. float. d. explode due to its liquid metallic hydrogen.
c. float
What are the characteristics of an open cluster of stars? Select one: a. reddish b. old c. found in the plane of the galaxy d. tightly bound
c. found in the plane of the galaxy
Which event marks the birth of a star? Select one: a. collapse of an interstellar cloud b. formation of a photosphere c. fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium atoms d. instability in an interstellar cloud
c. fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium atoms
Globular clusters are mainly found Select one: a. in the Galactic plane b. in the Galactic center c. in the Galactic halo d. in the Galactic bulge.
c. in the Galactic halo
In astronomy, what can be used to improve the angular resolution of radio telescopes? Select one: a. diffraction b. mirror diameter c. interferometry d. active optics
c. interferometry
The Roche lobe of a star in a binary star system Select one: a. is the accretion disc around the companion star. b. is the part of a rapidly rotating star that will eventually spin away to form planets c. is, in terms of the star's gravity, its "zone of influence." Correct d. leads to formation of rings, like around the jovian planets.
c. is, in terms of the star's gravity, its "zone of influence."
A high-mass star dies more violently than a low-mass star because: Select one: a. it cannot fuse elements heavier than carbon. b. it must always end up as a black hole. c. it generates more heat and its core eventually collapses very suddenly. d. gravity is weakened by its high luminosity.
c. it generates more heat and its core eventually collapses very suddenly.
The orbits of most comets Select one: a. are like the planets, fairly circular and in the ecliptic plane. b. go no farther out than Pluto, then return to the Sun again. c. lie almost entirely beyond the orbit of Neptune. d. are shorter than the 76 year period for Comet Halley.
c. lie almost entirely beyond the orbit of Neptune.
Absolute magnitude is also called __________? Select one: a. apparent brightness b. none of these are correct c. luminosity d. distance
c. luminosity
Neutron stars kept from collapsing inward by Select one: a. electron degeneracy b. gravity c. neutron degeneracy d. nuclear fusion
c. neutron degeneracy
What keeps a main sequence star in hydrostatic equilibrium? Select one: a. nothing b. electron degeneration pressure c. neutron degeneration pressure d. radiation pressure from nuclear fusion
c. neutron degeneration pressure
What can escape a black holes event horizon? Select one: a. light b. electrons c. nothing d. high energy gamma rays
c. nothing
Astronomers know the universe is expanding because Select one: a. almost everything is moving away from us. b. almost everything is moving toward us. c. of dark matter. d. of active galactic nuclei.
c. of dark matter.
Which of these will the Sun probably become in the very distant future? Select one: a. supernova b. nova c. planetary nebula d. pulsar
c. planetary nebula
Of the following electromagnetic radiation, the one with the largest wavelength is Select one: a. microwave. b. gamma rays. c. radio waves. d. visible.
c. radio waves
Which of the following is not in hydrostatic equilibrium? Select one: a. main sequence star b. white dwarf c. red dwarf d. red giant
c. red dwarf
Which of the following is the most common type of star? Select one: a. blue supergiants b. red giants c. red dwarfs d. white dwarfs
c. red dwarfs
Venus' rotation is: Select one: a. tidally locked to the Sun (1:1 orbital resonance like the Moon). b. the fastest of the terrestrial planets. c. retrograde and slow. d. similar to Earth.
c. retrograde and slow
The structure of our Milky Way is most similar to Select one: a. elliptical b. irregular c. spiral barred d. spiral
c. spiral barred
The wavelength at which a blackbody radiates most depends on its Select one: a. mass. b. radius. c. temperature. d. direction of motion.
c. temperature
Mercury's most unusual orbital feature, as compared to the other planets, is Select one: a. its orbital period. b. it has no moons. c. the eccentricity of its orbit. d. the size of its orbit.
c. the eccentricity of its orbit.
Meteorites are valuable to astronomers because Select one: a. they contain diamonds and gold. b. originated in other solar systems. c. they may provide evidence about the process in which the solar system was born. d. they reveal the contents of interstellar space.
c. they may provide evidence about the process in which the solar system was born.
Which is a characteristic of globular star clusters? Select one: a. Young b. Bluish in color c. tightly bound d. found in the plane of the galaxy
c. tightly bound
The critical evidence for cosmic acceleration in 1998 came from two teams of astronomers, both observing: Select one: a. gamma ray bursts. b. hypernovae. c. type I supernovae. d. type II supernovae.
c. type 1 supernovae
The Sun's solar cycle is about how long? Select one: a. 1 year b. 36 days c. 76 years d. 11 years
d. 11 years
Which theory of the Moon's origin is now most in favor? Select one: a. The rapidly spinning Earth slung the Moon off from what is now the Pacific Ocean Basin. b. The Moon formed as a separated planet, then was later captured by the Earth's gravity. c. Like the moons of Jupiter, our moon condensed of leftovers around the equator of the newly formed Earth. d. A Mars-sized body struck the young Earth, blowing out ejecta that condensed into the Moon.
d. A Mars-sized body struck the young Earth, blowing out ejecta that condensed into the Moon.
What is unusual about Triton? Select one: a. Like Saturn's moon,Titan, it has a nitrogen atmosphere. b. It has a retrograde orbit. c. Like Saturn's moon, Enceladus, it has geysers. d. All of the above.
d. All of the above.
The explanation for gamma-ray bursters is Select one: a. coalescence of a neutron star binary. b. hypernova-making black holes and bi-polar jets. c. star quakes in magnetars. d. All of the given options are possible.
d. All of the given options are possible.
Which statement about the motion of the planets is correct? Select one: a. Most planets move in the Earth's equatorial plane. b. Most orbit above the Sun's equator. c. The orbits of most planets are almost circular, with low eccentricities. d. All orbits of major planets are counterclockwise.
d. All orbits of major planets are counterclockwise.
All of the following are clusters of galaxies EXCEPT Select one: a. Coma b. Virgo c. Hydra d. Andromeda
d. Andromeda
Which of the following criteria for a planet does Pluto not meet? Select one: a. Orbits the Sun. b. Assumes a nearly round shape. c. It is not a moon. d. Cleared the neighborhood around its orbit.
d. Cleared the neighborhood around its orbit. Correct
What era are we in at present? Select one: a. Radiation Era b. Matter Era c. none of the above d. Dark Matter Era
d. Dark Matter Era
Who was known for cataloging the Sun's spectral lines? Select one: a. Wollaston b. Bohr c. Kirchhoff d. Fraunhofer
d. Fraunhofer
Which of the Galilean moons is the largest moon in the solar system, even bigger than Mercury? Select one: a. Callisto b. Io c. Europa d. Ganymede
d. Ganymede
A star is on the horizontal branch of the H-R diagram. Which statement is true? Select one: a. It is about to experience the helium flash. b. The star is about to return to the main sequence. c. The star is contracting. d. It is in hydrostatic equilibrium.
d. It is in hydrostatic equilibrium
What can you conclude about a Type II supernova? Select one: a. Its core was mostly carbon. b. It was originally a high mass star. c. The star never reached the Chandrasekhar Limit. d. It was originally a low-mass star.
d. It was originally a low-mass star.
Which planets are classified as inferior? Select one: a. Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus b. Venus and Mars c. Mercury, Venus, and Mars d. Mercury and Venus
d. Mercury and Venus
What can we detect from matter that has crossed an event horizon? Select one: a. X-rays if the matter was dense b. Visible light c. Radio waves if the matter was traveling fast enough d. Nothing
d. Nothing
Which of the following is a problem inherent in all large radio telescopes? Select one: a. Their waves are blocked by water vapor, so they must be located in deserts. b. They are badly affected by poor seeing and atmospheric turbulence. c. The dust clouds in the Milky Way block almost all wavelengths except light. d. Radio waves have long wavelengths, so radio telescopes have poor resolution.
d. Radio waves have long wavelengths, so radio telescopes have poor resolution.
Which statement about extrasolar planets found to date is true? Select one: a. All are terrestrials, comparable in size to Earth. b. Most are found by Microlensing, due to their gravity. c. All lie more than 2 A.U. from their star. d. Some are so close to their stars that their periods are just a few days.
d. Some are so close to their stars that their periods are just a few days.
Mercury's surface most resembles that of which other body? Select one: a. Earth b. Venus c. The Sun d. The Moon
d. The Moon
Upon which point do Copernicus and Kepler disagree? Select one: a. Retrograde motion occurs when one planet overtakes another. b. The Moon orbits the Earth. c. The Earth orbits the Sun. d. The orbits of the planets are ellipses, with one focus at the Sun.
d. The orbits of the planets are ellipses, with one focus at the Sun.
Which planet is the hottest? Select one: a. Mercury b. Earth c. Mars d. Venus
d. Venus
Spectral lines are often referred to as the stars' "fingerprints" because: Select one: a. fingerprints also consist of individual lines that make a pattern. b. they are characteristic of the individual that produced them. c. they are unique to their source. d. all of the above
d. all of the above
The moons of Mars are Select one: a. called Phobos and Deimos. b. probably captured asteroids. c. named for the son's of Mars. d. all of the above
d. all of the above
Venus is the brightest planet in the sky, when viewed from Earth. The reason of this is because Select one: a. it has the largest angular diameter. b. it it the closest planet to Earth. c. it has the highest albedo. d. all of the above
d. all of the above
What triggers might have made part of an interstellar cloud begin to contract? Select one: a. supernova b. density waves c. shockwave d. all of the above
d. all of the above
Why are most large telescopes reflectors, not refractors? Select one: a. Lenses have two surfaces to clean, mirrors have one. b. chromatic aberration c. Large lenses deform under their own weight, but mirrors can be supported. d. all of the above
d. all of the above
Not only does the central engine of active galaxies and quasars require a black hole, but also ________ to provide the radiate energy. Select one: a. a source of high-energy electrons for synchrotron radiation b. globular clusters for food c. a high rate of rotation for the black hole d. an accretion disk of infalling matter
d. an accretion disk of infalling matter
According to current theories of galactic evolution, quasars occur Select one: a. when elliptical galaxies merge. b. near the Milky Way. c. late in the evolutionary sequence. d. early in the evolutionary sequence.
d. early in the evolutionary sequence.
The plane in which almost all planets orbit the Sun is called the: Select one: a. equator b. galatic plane c. node d. ecliptic
d. ecliptic
Which of the following layers of the Earth is most unique among the terrestrial planets? Select one: a. crust b. core c. mantle d. hydrosphere
d. hydrosphere
How are the elements up to iron formed? Select one: a. in Type I supernova b. in neutron star collisions c. in the cores of low mass stars d. in the cores of high mass stars
d. in the cores of high mass stars
Which is the correct description for the Sun's location in the Galaxy? Select one: a. at the outer edge of the bulge, but along the galactic equator b. at the very outer edge of the disk, but in the galactic plane c. about 30,000 ly out in the halo d. in the disk, and about half way out from the center
d. in the disk, and about half way out from the center
A nova differs from a supernova in that the nova Select one: a. can occur only once. b. is more luminous. c. involves only high mass stars. d. is less luminous.
d. is less luminous
What is meant by the resolution of a telescope? Select one: a. its ability to see very faint objects b. its ability to focus more than just visible light for imaging c. its ability to separate light into its component colors for analysis d. its ability to distinguish two adjacent objects close together in the sky
d. its ability to distinguish two adjacent objects close together in the sky
The Tully-Fisher relation exists between the galaxy's luminosity and its Select one: a. size b. age c. color d. rotation
d. rotation
Neutron stars do not have Select one: a. sizes comparable to large cities. b. masses greater than 1.4 solar masses. c. strong magnetic fields. d. rotation periods comparable to the Sun
d. rotation periods comparable to the Sun
How is the Roche limit defined? Select one: a. the maximum density that a body can have, depending on its composition b. the maximum mass a moon can have and still be classified as a moon c. the maximum distance from a planet that a moon can experience synchronous rotation d. the critical distance from a planet, inside of which a moon can be tidally destroyed
d. the critical distance from a planet, inside of which a moon can be tidally destroyed
The vibrations of the Sun reveal information about Select one: a. the magnetic field of the Sun. b. the production of energy in the Sun. c. the structure of the atmosphere of the Sun. d. the interior structure of the Sun.
d. the interior structure of the Sun.
he seasons of the Earth result from Select one: a. the varying speed of the Earth in its orbit. b. being farther from the Sun in the winter because of its elliptical orbit. c. the precession of the Earth's axis. d. the tilt of the Earth's axis.
d. the tilt of the Earth's axis.
A Cepheid variable star Select one: a. is in hydrostatic equilibrium. b. will explode as a Type I supernova. c. will vary in brightness with an irregular pattern. d. will vary in both temperature and radius.
d. will vary in both temperature and radius.
X-ray telescopes are located in orbit around the Earth because Select one: a. the x-rays that come out of the telescopes are dangerous to humans. b. x-ray telescopes on Earth would have to be too big. c. x-ray telescopes are cheap and easy to launch into space. d. x-rays don't reach the surface of Earth.
d. x-rays don't reach the surface of Earth.