Chapter 2 Reading Quiz

A waxing gibbous moon rises at about ____, reaches its highest point in the sky at about ____, and sets around _____.

3pm, 9pm, 3am

A waxing crescent moon rises at about _____, reaches its highest point in the sky at about ______, and sets around ______.

9am, 3pm, 9pm

Stars that are visible in the local sky on any clear night of the year, at any time of the night, are called _________. a. circumpolar b. bright c. seasonal d. celestial

a. circumpolar

The final step is to determine the rise and set times for this phase. Which of the following are the correct times for a third quarter moon? a. rise: about midnight; set: about noon b. rise: about sunrise; set: about sunset c. rise: about noon; set: about midnight d. rise: about 3am; set: about 3pm e.rise: about 9am; set: about 9pm

a. rise: about midnight; set: about noon

Approximately how often do eclipse seasons occur? a. twice a year b. once a year c. twice a month d.four times a year e. once a month

a. twice a year

If a star's distance from Earth increased, its parallax shift would __________. a. increase b. decrease c. not change

b. decrease

Step 1 is to draw a diagram that shows the Moon in the correct position for the phase being considered. Which diagram below correctly shows the location of a third quarter moon?

moon directly above Earth

Step 2 is to place a person in the position on Earth where the Moon would be overhead or at its highest point in the sky and determine the time for that person. At which of the four numbered positions shown below would the person be seeing the third quarter moon be at its highest point in the sky?

4

A waning gibbous moon rises at about _______, reaches its highest point in the sky at about _______, and sets around _______.

9pm, 3am, 9am

Which of the following accurately describe an eclipse season? Select all that apply. a. During an eclipse season, there will be a lunar eclipse at full moon. b. During an eclipse season, there will be a solar eclipse at new moon. c. An eclipse season occurs when the nodes of the Moon's orbit are lined up with Earth and the Sun. d. An eclipse season is a time when your local weather is favorable for viewing an eclipse. e. An eclipse season is the time from one day before an eclipse until one day after it.

a. During an eclipse season, there will be a lunar eclipse at full moon. b. During an eclipse season, there will be a solar eclipse at new moon. c. An eclipse season occurs when the nodes of the Moon's orbit are lined up with Earth and the Sun.

Each choice below describes how a few astronomical phenomena are related to time periods. Which list is entirely correct? (Careful: some lists are partially correct.) a. Earth's rotation defines a day. The cycle of the Moon's phases takes about a month. Earth's orbit defines a year. Earth's cycle of axis precession takes 26,000 years. b.Earth's rotation defines a day. The cycle of the Moon's phases takes about a week. Earth's orbit defines a year. Earth's cycle of axis precession defines a month. c. Earth's rotation defines a day. The Sun's rotation defines a week. The Moon's rotation defines a month. Earth's orbit defines a year. d. Earth's rotation defines a day. The saros cycle of eclipses defines a month. Earth's orbit defines a year. Earth's cycle of axis precession takes 26,000 years.

a. Earth's rotation defines a day. The cycle of the Moon's phases takes about a month. Earth's orbit defines a year. Earth's cycle of axis precession takes 26,000 years.

Which of the following best summarizes the reason we see phases of the Moon? a. Half the Moon is always illuminated by the Sun, but the phase we see depends on how much of this half we are looking at from Earth. b. The amount of the Moon that is illuminated by sunlight varies as it orbits the Earth, thereby determining the phase that we see. c. Earth casts a shadow into space, and the Moon's phase depends on how much of Earth's shadow is touching the Moon.

a. Half the Moon is always illuminated by the Sun, but the phase we see depends on how much of this half we are looking at from Earth.

We cannot see a new moon in our sky because _________. a. a new moon is quite near the Sun in the sky b. no sunlight is illuminating the Moon c. it is obscured by Earth's shadow d. it is above the horizon during the daytime

a. a new moon is quite near the Sun in the sky

Consider the Moon when it is in the position shown in the moon phase diagram below. How much of the Moon's total surface is illuminated by sunlight at this time? a. exactly half b. about one-quarter c. none d. about one-eighth e. about three-eighths

a. exactly half

When is the next opportunity to see a total solar eclipse in the United States? a. at the next new moon b. April 8, 2024 c. at the next full moon d. December 4, 2021 e. August 12, 2026

b. April 8, 2024

What is stellar parallax? a. It is the daily rise and set of the stars. b. It is the slight back-and-forth shifting of star positions that occurs as we view the stars from different positions in Earth's orbit of the Sun. c. It is the change in the set of constellations that we see at different times of year in the evening sky. d. It describes the fact that stars are actually moving relative to one another, even though to our eyes the stars appear fixed in the constellations.

b. It is the slight back-and-forth shifting of star positions that occurs as we view the stars from different positions in Earth's orbit of the Sun.

Why will total solar eclipses no longer be possible after about 600 million years from now? a. The Moon will have shrunk in size too much for it to fully block the Sun. b. The Moon will have moved too far from Earth for it to fully block the Sun. c. The Sun will have died. d. Earth will have moved closer to the Sun, so that the Sun will look much larger in our sky.

b. The Moon will have moved too far from Earth for it to fully block the Sun.

Which of the following statements does not use the term angular size or angular distance correctly? a. The angular distance between those two houses in the distance is 30 degrees. b. The angular distance between those two bright stars in the sky is about 2 meters. c. You can use your outstretched hand against the sky to estimate angular sizes and angular distances. d. The angular size of the Sun is about the same as that of the Moon.

b. The angular distance between those two bright stars in the sky is about 2 meters.

What do we mean when we talk about the Milky Way in our sky? a. The bright stars of the constellations that lie along the ecliptic in our sky. b. The patchy band of light that outlines the plane of the Milky Way Galaxy as seen from Earth. c. The spiral-shaped galaxy in which we live. d. The whitish patch of light we see when we look toward the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.

b. The patchy band of light that outlines the plane of the Milky Way Galaxy as seen from Earth.

What is the ecliptic? a. The path traced by the Moon's shadow on Earth during a solar eclipse b. The path the Sun appears to trace around the celestial sphere each year c. The Sun's daily path from east to west in our sky d. A half-circle extending from your horizon due north, through your zenith, to your horizon due south

b. The path the Sun appears to trace around the celestial sphere each year

What is the saros cycle? a. The 26,000-year cycle of the Earth's precession b. The roughly 18-year cycle over which the pattern of eclipses repeats c. The annual cycle of the seasons d. The roughly one-month cycle of lunar phases in the sky

b. The roughly 18-year cycle over which the pattern of eclipses repeats

Which of the following statements about phases of the Moon are true? Select all that apply. a. at new moon, the Moon's entire surface is engulfed in darkness b. at new moon, we see only the "night" side of the Moon c. the time between new moon and full moon is about two weeks d. the time between first-quarter moon and third-quarter moon is about a month e. if it's new moon, the Moon will rise in the middle of the day f. if it is full moon, the Moon will rise around sunset g. at new moon, the half of the Moon facing the Sun is fully illuminated

b. at new moon, we see only the "night" side of the Moon c. the time between new moon and full moon is about two weeks f. if it is full moon, the Moon will rise around sunset g. at new moon, the half of the Moon facing the Sun is fully illuminated

Eclipse seasons do not occur exactly twice a year. Instead, they occur slightly more often, coming about 173 days apart (which is a bit less than the roughly 182 to 183 days that make up 6 months). Why do they do this, rather than occurring exactly twice each year? a. because Earth's axis slowly precesses in an approximately 26,000 year cycle b. because the line of nodes gradually moves around the Moon's orbit c. because the length of a year is not exactly 12 cycles of lunar phases d. because the Moon's cycle of phases is not exactly one month long

b. because the line of nodes gradually moves around the Moon's orbit

Again consider the position of the Moon shown in part A. How much of the Moon's surface is covered by Earth's shadow? a. exactly half b. none c. about three-quarters d. about one-quarter e. about one-eighth

b. none

About what time is it for the person who sees the third quarter moon at its highest point (position 4 in the diagram from Part B)? a. sunset b. sunrise c. noon d. midnight

b. sunrise

What do astronomers mean by a constellation? a. A constellation is any random grouping of stars in the sky. b. A constellation is a group of stars related through an ancient story. c. A constellation is a region in the sky as seen from Earth. d. A constellation is a group of stars that are all located in about the same place in space.

c. A constellation is a region in the sky as seen from Earth.

The Sun rises and sets each day because a. it undergoes retrograde motion each day b. it orbits Earth once each day c. Earth rotates once each day d. its position seems to change because of stellar parallax

c. Earth rotates once each day

The combination of the 173-day period between eclipse seaons and the Moon's approximately 29 1/2 - day cycle of phases leads to what we call the saros cycle, which lasts about 18 years, 11 1/3 days. Which of the following accurately describe something about the saros cycle? a. If there is a solar eclipse in your home town today, there will be a lunar eclipse in your home town 18 years, 11 1/3 days from now. b. If there is a solar eclipse any place today, there will not be another solar eclipse anywhere in the world for another 18 years, 11 1/3 days. c. If there is a solar eclipse in your home town today, there will be a solar eclipse in a different part of the world 18 years, 11 1/3 days from now. d. If there is a solar eclipse in your home town today, there will be another solar eclipse in your home town 18 years, 11 1/3 days from now.

c. If there is a solar eclipse in your home town today, there will be a solar eclipse in a different part of the world 18 years, 11 1/3 days from now.

If we have a new moon today, when we will have the next full moon? a. In about a month b. In about 1 week c. In about 2 weeks d. In about 6 months

c. In about 2 weeks

What is the celestial sphere? a. The celestial sphere is a model that shows the true locations in space of the Sun and a few thousand of the nearest stars. b. It represents a belief in an Earth-centered universe, and hence is no longer considered to have any use. c. The celestial sphere is a representation of how the entire sky looks as seen from Earth. d. The celestial sphere is a model of how the stars are arranged in the sky relative to our Sun, which is in the middle of the sphere.

c. The celestial sphere is a representation of how the entire sky looks as seen from Earth.

Which of the following best describes why we have seasons on Earth? a. Earth's elliptical orbit means we are closer to the Sun and therefore receive more intense sunlight at some times of year than at others. b. The varying speed of Earth in its orbit around the Sun gives us summer when we are moving fastest and winter when we are moving slowest. c. The tilt of Earth's axis causes different portions of the Earth to receive more or less direct sunlight at different times of year. d. The tilt of Earth's axis causes the Northern hemisphere to be closer to the Sun than the Southern hemisphere in summer, and visa versa in winter.

c. The tilt of Earth's axis causes different portions of the Earth to receive more or less direct sunlight at different times of year.

About how many stars are visible to the naked eye on a clear, dark night away from city lights? a. a few hundred billion b. a few dozen c. a couple thousand d. several million

c. a couple thousand

As seen from Earth, the Sun appears to follow the annual path that we call the __________ around the celestial sphere. a. constellations b. milky way c. ecliptic d. south celestial pole e. celestial equator f. north celestial pole

c. ecliptic

Which photo shows what the Moon looks like when it is in the position shown in the following moon phase diagram?

c. full moon

We describe a location on Earth's surface by stating its _________. a. latitude and direction b. altitude and direction (or azimuth) c. latitude and longitude d. meridian and longitude

c. latitude and longitude

The Moon always shows nearly the same face to Earth because ________. a. sunlight always hits the same face of the Moon b. the Moon does not rotate c. the Moon rotates once in the same amount of time that it takes the Moon to orbit Earth once d. the Moon rotates once in the same amount of time that it takes Earth to orbit the Sun once

c. the Moon rotates once in the same amount of time that it takes the Moon to orbit Earth once

The point directly over your head is called _________. a. the meridian b. the north celestial pole c. the zenith d. the North Star

c. the zenith

Again consider the position of the Moon shown in part A. What does the Moon look like in our sky at this time?

c. waxing crescent phase

Which of the following correctly describes the meridian in your local sky? a. A half-circle extending from your horizon due east, through your zenith, to your horizon due west b. The point directly over your head c. A half-circle extending from your horizon due east, through the north celestial pole, to your horizon due west d. A half-circle extending from your horizon due north, through your zenith, to your horizon due south

d. A half-circle extending from your horizon due north, through your zenith, to your horizon due south

During the time that a planet is in its period of apparent retrograde motion: _________ a. The planet appears to rise in the west and set in the east, rather than the usual rising in the east and setting in the west. b. The planet moves backwards (clockwise as viewed from above Earth's north pole) in its orbit of the Sun. c. The planet is getting closer to the Sun in its orbit. d. Over many days or weeks, the planet moves westward relative to the stars, rather than the usual eastward relative to the stars

d. Over many days or weeks, the planet moves westward relative to the stars, rather than the usual eastward relative to the stars

If you are located in the Northern Hemisphere, which of the following correctly describes a relationship between the sky and your location? a. The altitude of the celestial equator equals your latitude. b. The altitude of the north celestial pole equals your longitude. c. The longitude of the north celestial pole is circumpolar, and therefore crosses your zenith at the meridian. d. The altitude of the north celestial pole equals your latitude.

d. The altitude of the north celestial pole equals your latitude.

Suppose you see a moon that is half bright and half dark in your early evening sky. Then you are seeing a __________ moon. a. full b. new c. third quarter d. first quarter

d. first quarter

Lunar eclipses can occur only when the phase of the Moon is _________. a. third quarter b. new c. first quarter d. full

d. full

A total solar eclipse can only happen during what lunar phase? a. waning gibbous b. first quarter c. full d. new

d. new

Which of the following celestial objects do not rise in the east and set in the west? (Assume that all of these objects are visible from your location on Earth, and that none of them are circumpolar.) a. the Sun b. galaxies c. stars d. the Moon e. All of these objects rise in the east and set in the west.

e. All of these objects rise in the east and set in the west.

What is an annular eclipse? a. a solar eclipse in which totality lasts for more than 2 minutes b. a lunar eclipse in which the Moon turns an eerie red color c. a lunar eclipse in which the Moon passes only through Earth's penumbra d. a type of eclipse that happens once each year e. a solar eclipse in which the Moon does not appear large enough to fully block the Sun

e. a solar eclipse in which the Moon does not appear large enough to fully block the Sun

Suppose you see a first quarter moon in your evening sky. How will the Moon's appearance change over the next few days? The moon will rise a little _________ each day, and with each passing day you will see a little ________ of the Moon's face illuminated.

later, more

Sort each item into the correct bin based on whether it describes lunar eclipses or solar eclipses.

lunar eclipses: occurs when the Moon is on the direct opposite side of Earth from the Sun occurs when Earth's shadow falls on the Moon can occur only at full moon can be seen by anyone on Earth's night side at the time solar eclipses: occurs when the Moon comes directly between Earth and the Sun occurs when the Moon's shadow falls on Earth can occur only at new moon can be seen only along a relatively narrow path on Earth

A first quarter moon rises at about _____, reaches its highest point in the sky at about ______, and sets around ________.

noon, sunset, midnight

A new moon rises at about _______, reaches its highest point in the sky at about ______, and sets around ______.

sunrise, noon, sunset

A full moon rises at about ________, reaches its highest point in the sky at _______, and sets around ______

sunset, midnight, sunrise