FINAL EXAM PREP (ASTRO)
In 1948, Ansel Adams took the following famous picture of the Moon over Yosemite Valley, California. Astronomers recently analyzed the image and determined that it was taken on September 15, 1948 at precisely 7:03 p.m. Pacific Daylight Saving Time. What is the phase of the Moon? New First quarter Waxing gibbous Waning gibbous Last quarter
Waxing gibbous
Suppose you live in the United States and you see a crescent Moon in your evening sky tonight. What will a friend in South America see tonight? Your friend will see a gibbous Moon. Your friend will also see a crescent Moon. Your friend wonʹt see the Moon tonight, because it is up only in the morning. Your friend will see a first quarter Moon.
Your friend will also see a crescent Moon.
Keplerʹs second law, which states that as a planet moves around its orbit it sweeps out equal areas in equal times, means that planets that are farther from the Sun move at slower average speeds than nearer planets. a planetʹs period does not depend on the eccentricity of its orbit. the period of a planet does not depend on its mass. a planet travels faster when it is nearer to the Sun and slower when it is farther from the Sun. planets have circular orbits.
a planet travels faster when it is nearer to the Sun and slower when it is farther from the Sun.
Suppose you live on the Moon. How long is a day (i.e., from sunrise to sunrise)? 24 hours about 29.5 Earth days 23 hours 56 minutes a year about 18 years
about 29.5 Earth days
When did Copernicus live? about 100 years ago about 500 years ago about 2000 years ago about 1000 years ago about 5000 years ago
about 500 years ago
Why do we see essentially the same face of the Moon at all times? because the Moon does not rotate because the other face points toward us only at new Moon, when we canʹt see the Moon because the Moonʹs rotational and orbital periods are equal because the Sun illuminates only one half at a time because the Moon has a nearly circular orbit around Earth
because the Moonʹs rotational and orbital periods are equal
Why are astronauts weightless in the Space Station? because there is no gravity in space because the Space Station is constantly in free‐fall around Earth because the Space Station is traveling so fast because the Space Station is moving at constant velocity because there is very little (almost none) gravity in space
because the Space Station is constantly in free‐fall around Earth
At which lunar phase(s) are tides most pronounced (e.g., the highest high tides)? first quarter new Moon full Moon both new and full Moons both first and third quarters
both new and full Moons
How did Eratosthenes estimate the size of Earth in 240 B.C.? by observing the duration of a solar eclipse by measuring the size of Earth's shadow on the Moon in a lunar eclipse by sending fleets of ships around Earth We don't know how he did it since all his writings were destroyed. by comparing the maximum altitude of the Sun in two cities at different latitudes on the summer solstice.
by comparing the maximum altitude of the Sun in two cities at different latitudes on the summer solstice.
Suppose an object is moving in a straight line at 50 mi/hr. According to Newtonʹs first law of motion, the object will continue to move in the same way forever, no matter what happens. continue to move in a straight line forever if it is in space, but slow and stop otherwise. continue to move in the same way until it is acted upon by a force. eventually slow down and come to a stop.
continue to move in the same way until it is acted upon by a force.
A star that is located 30 degrees north of the celestial equator has declination = 30 degrees altitude = 30 degrees right ascension = 30 degrees latitude = 30 degrees
declination = 30 degrees
Which of the following is an example in which you are traveling at constant speed but not at constant velocity? rolling freely down a hill in a cart, traveling in a straight line driving around in a circle at exactly 100 km/hr driving backward at exactly 50 km/hr jumping up and down, with a period of exactly 60 hops per minute none of the above
driving around in a circle at exactly 100 km/hr
When traveling north from the United States into Canada, youʹll see the North Star (Polaris) getting brighter higher in the sky dimmer lower in the sky
higher in the sky
According to the universal law of gravitation, if you double the masses of both attracting objects, then the gravitational force between them will not change at all. increase by a factor of 2. decrease by a factor of 2. increase by a factor of 4. decrease by a factor of 4.
increase by a factor of 4.
As seen from Charlottesville, the star Polaris Is the brightest star in the sky always sets directly in the west Is never above the horizon during the day is never visible during the winter is always above the northern horizon
is always above the northern horizon
Ashen light (or earthshine) is the sunlight that shines on the face of the Moon that we never see. sunlight reflected by Earth that illuminates the ʺdarkʺ portion of the Moon. the light we see at dusk just after the Sun sets. the light from the Moon that illuminates Earthʹs surface at night. the light we see at dawn just before the Sun rises.
sunlight reflected by Earth that illuminates the ʺdarkʺ portion of the Moon.
Congratulations! You have been selected to be a contestant on the television show Survivor. You are stranded on an island and will receive extra food if you can determine your latitude on Earth. After observing the sky for a few nights, you donʹ t see any circumpolar stars. What is your latitude? 0° 23.5° 90° N 90° S 38°
0°
The Sun is rising in the east and will be on your meridian in 2 hours. What time is it? 2 A.M. Noon 10 A.M. 2 P.M. 10 P.M.
10 A.M.
If you drop a rock from the top of the One World Trade Center building in New York (541 meters tall), it will fall for 10.5 seconds before it hits the ground. Ignoring air resistance, how fast will it be moving (in meters per second) when it hits the ground? Enter only the number, do not enter the units.
102.9
For an observer in Syndey, Australia (latitude of 34 degrees south), what is the azimuth of the south celestial pole? 0 degrees 214 degrees 56 degrees 34 degrees 180 degrees
180 degrees
The amount of time between successive passes of the star Sirius across the meridian is 23 hours 56 minutes. 24 hours. 365.25 days. 12 years. 26,000 years.
23 hours 56 minutes.
How long does totality last during a total solar eclipse? A few hours A few days A few seconds A few minutes
A few minutes
What is the ecliptic? the Sunʹs daily path from east to west in our sky the path the Sun appears to trace around the celestial sphere each year the path traced by the Moonʹs shadow on Earth during a solar eclipse a half‐circle extending from your horizon due north, through your zenith, to your horizon due south
the path the Sun appears to trace around the celestial sphere each year
When did Ptolemy live? About 5000 years ago About 2000 years ago About 1000 years ago About 500 years ago About 100 years ago
About 2000 years ago
Kepler's Third Law, p2=a3, means that A planet's period does not depend on the eccentricity of its orbit. All orbits with the same semimajor axis have the same period. The period of a planet does not depend on its mass. Planets that are farther from the Sun move at slower average speeds than nearer planets All of the above are correct.
All of the above are correct.
How strong is the gravitational force that acts on an astronaut in the International Space Station in a circular orbit 400 km above the Earth's surface? Exactly the same as when the astronaut is standing on the surface of the Earth. Almost, but not quite, as strong as when the astronaut is standing on the surface of the Earth. Almost zero. Zero (the astronaut is weightless)
Almost, but not quite, as strong as when the astronaut is standing on the surface of the Earth.
In 1974, a radio message was sent out from the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. How far has it gotten, approximately? Just beyond our solar system. Well beyond our solar system, but not even to the nearest star. Beyond the nearest star, but just a miniscule fraction of the distance across the Milky Way. Almost to the center of the Milky Way Beyond the Milky Way, to the Andromeda Galaxy.
Beyond the nearest star, but just a miniscule fraction of the distance across the Milky Way.
Suppose you drop a 10‐pound weight and a 5‐pound weight on the Moon, both from the same height at the same time. What will happen? Both weights will float freely, since everything is weightless on the Moon. Both will hit the ground at the same time. The 5‐pound weight will hit the ground before the 10‐pound weight. The 10‐pound weight will hit the ground before the 5‐pound weight.
Both will hit the ground at the same time.
Stars that are visible in the local sky on every clear night of the year, at any time of the night, are called Seasonal Bright Circumpolar Celestial
Circumpolar
Choose the letter for the real motion of space from the list below that is responsible for the following: The stars of Orionʹ s belt rise in the east and set in the west. Earth rotates once each day. Earth revolves around the Sun once each year. The direction of Earthʹs axis in space precesses with a period of 26,000 years. Stars appear to move randomly in the local solar neighborhood. The universe is expanding.
Earth rotates once each day.
The stars Gamma Wahoois and Delta Wahoois are identical in every way, except that Gamma has an apparent magnitude of 5.7 and Delta has an apparent magnitude of 8.2. Which star is closer to Earth? Gamma Wahoois is closer than Delta Wahoois Delta Wahoois is closer than Gamma Wahoois There is not enough information to determine which star is closer.
Gamma Wahoois is closer than Delta Wahoois
Which of the following best describes the Tropic of Cancer? It is a place where the Sun is directly overhead at noon on our spring equinox (March). It is a place where the Sun is directly overhead at noon on our summer solstice (June) It is another name for the equator. It is a place where the Sun appears to remain stationary in the sky. It is any place where it is always very warm.
It is a place where the Sun is directly overhead at noon on our summer solstice (June)
What would happen if the Space Shuttle were launched with a speed greater than Earthʹs escape velocity? It would travel in a higher orbit around Earth. It would orbit Earth at a faster velocity. It would take less time to reach its bound orbit. It would be in an unstable orbit. It would travel away from Earth into the solar system.
It would travel away from Earth into the solar system.
On which day is the Sun farthest north of the equator? March 20 June 21 September 22 December 21 It depends on whether you are in the northern or southern hemisphere.
June 21
The terrestrial planets in our solar system are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Pluto. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and Eris. Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
The fact that the Voyager spacecraft continue to speed out of the solar system, even though its rockets have no fuel, is an example of Newtonʹs third law of motion. the universal law of gravitation. Newtonʹs first law of motion. Newtonʹs second law of motion. none of the above.
Newtonʹs first law of motion.
Which of the following points remains fixed in the sky relative to an observerʹ s horizon? Winter solstice Direction to a distant star Vernal equinox North Celestial Pole
North Celestial Pole
An observer in the Northern Hemisphere takes a time exposure photograph of the night sky. If the illustration below depicts the photograph taken by the observer, which direction was the camera pointing? Straight north Straight east Straight south Straight west Straight up, directly overhead
Straight south
The vernal (spring, March) equinox is when the Sun crosses the equator, going from north to south Sun crosses the equator, going from south to north Sun crosses the ecliptic, going from north to south Sun crosses the ecliptic, going from south to north Reaches its maximum distance north of the celestial equator
Sun crosses the equator, going from south to north
If you are located in the Northern Hemisphere, which of the following correctly describes a relationship between the sky and your location? The altitude of the north celestial pole equals your latitude. The longitude of the north celestial pole is circumpolar, and therefore crosses your zenith at the meridian. The altitude of the north celestial pole equals your longitude. The altitude of the celestial equator equals your latitude.
The altitude of the north celestial pole equals your latitude.
You are standing on a beach, watching a spectacular sunset with a beautiful crescent moon in the sky. What is the tide doing? It is high tide. It is low tide. The tide is rising. The tide is falling. It is a spring tide.
The tide is falling.
Imagine that the Earth had no Moon. How many high tides would an observer on Earth have every day? One Two Four None
Two
All of the following statements are true. Which one follows directly from Kepler's Third Law? Venus is more massive than Mercury. Venus orbits the Sun at a slower average speed than Mercury. Venus is larger than Mercury. Venus has a thicker atmosphere than Mercury.
Venus orbits the Sun at a slower average speed than Mercury.
The diagram below shows the approximate location of the Sun as it sets along the western horizon. Which number indicates the location of the Sun at sunset on December 21 for an observer in Charlottesville, Virginia? SW 1 W2 3NW 1 2 3 The Sun will set in the east for an observer in Charlottesville. The Sun will not set on December 21 at this latitude.
1
How many arcseconds are in 1°? 3,600 360 10,000 60 100
3,600
magine that you are standing on the surface of a comet (mass of the comet =1.0x1013 kg, radius of the comet is 3 km). What is the escape velocity from the surface of the comet in meters per second?
0.667
Imagine another solar system, with a star of the same mass as the Sun. Suppose a planet with a mass twice that of Earth (2MEarth) orbits at a distance of 1 AU from the star. What is the orbital period of this planet? 2 years 6 months 1 year It cannot be determined from the information given.
1 year
At about what fraction of the speed of light do today's spacecraft travel? 1/2 1/10 1/100 1/1000 1/10,000
1/10,000
The tilt of the Earthʹs axis with respect to the ecliptic plane is 0° variable between 0° and 23.5° over a three month period 90° 23.5°
23.5°
From Keplerʹs Third Law, an asteroid with an orbital period of 8 years lies at an average distance from the Sun equal to 4 astronomical units. 2 astronomical units. 16 astronomical units. 8 astronomical units. It depends on the asteroidʹs mass.
4 astronomical units.
Choose the letter for the real motion of space from the list below that is responsible for the following: The Big Dipper will look different 100,000 years from now than it does today. Earth rotates once each day. Earth revolves around the Sun once each year. The direction of Earthʹs axis in space precesses with a period of 26,000 years. Stars appear to move randomly in the local solar neighborhood. The universe is expanding.
Stars appear to move randomly in the local solar neighborhood.
Which of the following was not observed by Galileo? Craters on the Moon Stellar parallax Sunspots Jupiter's moons Phases of Venus
Stellar parallax
Which of the following best describes the origin of ocean tides on Earth? Tides are caused by the 23 1/2° tilt of the earthʹs rotational axis to the ecliptic plane. Tides are caused by the difference in the force of gravity exerted by the Moon across the sphere of the Earth. The Moonʹs gravity pulls harder on water than on land, because water is less dense than rock. Tides are caused on the side of Earth nearest the Moon because the Moonʹs gravity attracts the water. Tides are caused primarily by the gravitational force of the Sun.
Tides are caused by the difference in the force of gravity exerted by the Moon across the sphere of the Earth.
He was the first to prove that comets lie beyond Earthʹs atmosphere. Kepler Aristotle Copernicus Galileo Tycho Brahe
Tycho Brahe
Which of the following statements about X rays and radio waves is not true? X-rays and radio waves are both forms of light, or electromagnetic radiation. X-rays have shorter wavelengths than radio waves. X-rays have higher energy than radio waves. X-rays travel through space faster than radio waves. X-rays have higher frequency than radio waves.
X-rays travel through space faster than radio waves.
As seen from Charlottesville, latitude 38° N, a star at a declination of +23° degrees N is above the horizon for about 15 hours per day circumpolar, and is always visible above the horizon for about 9 hours per day above the horizon for exactly 12 hours per day
above the horizon for about 15 hours per day
How long does it take the Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun? one day one week one month one year The time it takes Earth to orbit the Sun changes significantly from one orbit to the next.
one year
The tides on Earth are an example of the universal law of gravitation. Newtonʹs second law of motion. Newtonʹs third law of motion. Newtonʹs first law of motion. none of the above
the universal law of gravitation.
Why did Ptolemy have the planets orbiting Earth on ʺcircles upon circlesʺ in his model of the universe? to explain why more distant planets take longer to make a circuit through the constellations of the zodiac to explain why Venus goes through phases as seen from Earth to explain why the Greeks were unable to detect stellar parallax to properly account for the varying distances of the planets from Earth to explain the fact that planets sometimes appear to move westward, rather than eastward, relative to the stars in our sky
to explain the fact that planets sometimes appear to move westward, rather than eastward, relative to the stars in our sky
In which of the following cases would you feel weightless? while falling from a roof while falling from an airplane with your parachute open while walking on the Moon while traveling through space in an accelerating rocket none of the above
while falling from a roof
He discovered that Jupiter has moons. Galileo Tycho Brahe Ptolemy Kepler Aristotle
Galileo
If your mass is 60 kg on Earth, what would your mass be on the Moon (MassMoon=0.0123 MassEarth, RadiusMoon=0.27 RadiusEarth)? 10 lb 50 kg 60 lb 10 kg 60 kg
60 kg
(The following is an actual example from history!) It is 1944 and General Dwight D. Einsenhower needs your help to determine when to implement Operation Overlord (the codename for the D-Day invasion). Operation Overlord consists of two main thrusts. The first group is paratroopers, soldiers that jump out of planes using parachutes, who will arrive in the middle of the night. To improve visiblity for both the pilots and paratroopers, the invasion must occur during a full moon. The second main group are 150,000 soldiers that will be delivered from ships in landing craft. The landing craft need to hit the beach just after low tide (so that the obstacles placed on the beach will be visible) while the tide is rising. What time of day do you recommend that they schedule the landings? 3:00 a.m. 6:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Noon 3:00 p.m.
6:00 a.m.
If we develop spacecraft that can take humans to nearby solar systems at a few percent the speed of light, how long would it be before we could conceivably populate all habitable planets in the entire Milky Way? A few hundred thousand years. A few million years. A few hundred million years. A few billion years.
A few million years.
The Crab Nebula is the result of a supernova explosion of a star that was about 6500 light years from Earth. People on Earth first saw the light from the explosion in the year 1054 AD. When did the explosion actually occur? About 1 AD About 7550 BC About 5450 BD In 1054 AD
About 5450 BD
Why do we have seasons on Earth? As Earth goes around the Sun and Earthʹs axis remains pointed toward Polaris, the Northern and Southern hemispheres alternately receive more and less direct sunlight. Seasons are caused by the influence of the planet Jupiter on our orbit. The tilt of Earthʹs axis constantly changes between 0 and 23 1/2 °, giving us summer when Earth is tilted more and winter when it is straight up. Earthʹs distance from the Sun varies, so that it is summer when we are closer to the Sun and winter when we are farther from the Sun.
As Earth goes around the Sun and Earthʹs axis remains pointed toward Polaris, the Northern and Southern hemispheres alternately receive more and less direct sunlight.
At 9:00 p.m. on August 18, the bright star Vega is straight overhead as seen from Charlottesville. Where would it appear to an observer in Cajamarca, Peru, exactly 5000 km south of Charlottesville at the same time and date? (Hint: The circumference of the Earth is 40,000 km). At an altitude of 45 degrees At an altitude of 8 degrees At an altitude of 82 degrees It would not be visible in Cajamarca
At an altitude of 45 degrees
When Copernicus first created his Sun-centered model of the universe, it did not lead to substantially better predictions of planetary positions than the Ptolemaic model. Why not? Copernicus misjudged the speeds at which the planets orbit the Sun. Copernicus used perfect circles for the orbits of the planets. Copernicus placed the Sun at the center but did not realize that the Moon orbits Earth. Copernicus placed the planets in the wrong order going outward from the Sun. Copernicus misjudged the distances between the planets.
Copernicus used perfect circles for the orbits of the planets.
Which of the following is the reason for leap years? precession of Earthʹs axis the combined effect of the rotation of Earth and its orbit about the Sun the non-circular orbit of Earth around the Sun Earth year being a non-integer (non-whole) number of Earth days the tilt of Earthʹs axis
Earth year being a non-integer (non-whole) number of Earth days
There is a Supermoon on Monday, November 14. That night, the Moon will be Full and slightly larger than normal. Full and significantly (more than twice) larger than normal. New and slightly larger than normal. New and significantly (more than twice) larger than normal.
Full and slightly larger than normal.
How does the Space Shuttle take off? It achieves lift from its wings in the same way that airplanes do. The hot rocket exhaust expands the air beneath the shuttle, propelling it forward. Hot gas shoots out from the rocket and, by conservation of momentum, the shuttle moves in the opposite direction. Its rocket engines push against the launch pad propelling the shuttle upwards. It converts mass-energy to kinetic energy.
Hot gas shoots out from the rocket and, by conservation of momentum, the shuttle moves in the opposite direction.
In September the constellation Andromeda appears high in the sky at midnight. Six monts later, Cygnus appears high in the sky at midnight. Where is Andromeda at this time? It is still high in the sky at midnight It has moved to the eastern horizon It is high in the sky at noon and is thus not visible It has moved to the western horizon
It is high in the sky at noon and is thus not visible
Imagine we've discovered a planet orbiting another star at 1 AU every 6 months. The planet has a moon that orbits the planet at the same distance as our Moon, but it takes 2 months. What can we infer about this planet? We cannot answer the question without knowing the mass of the moon. We cannot answer the question without knowing the mass of the star. It is less massive than Earth. It is more massive than Earth. It has the same mass as Earth.
It is less massive than Earth.
Consider a comet in a long, thin elliptical orbit with a semi-major axis of one AU. What can you say about the orbital period of this comet? It will be less than one year. It will be one year. It will be more than one year. It will depend on the eccentricity of the comet's orbit.
It will be one year.
Which of the following statements is not an observed pattern of motion in our solar system? Almost all moons orbit their planet in the same direction as the planetʹs rotation. Most planets rotate in the same direction in which they orbit. All planets orbit the Sun in the same direction. Most planets orbit at the same speed. Most planetary orbits lie nearly in the same plane.
Most planets orbit at the same speed.
It is warmer in summer than in winter because The Sun is higher in the sky and the days are longer The Sun is lower in the sky and the days are longer The Earth is closer to the Sun The Sun is higher in the sky and the days are shorter
The Sun is higher in the sky and the days are longer
You are standing on a scale in an elevator. Suddenly you notice your weight decreases. What do you conclude? The elevator is moving at a constant velocity downwards. The elevator is accelerating downwards. Your diet is working. The elevator is accelerating upwards. The elevator is moving at a constant velocity upwards.
The elevator is accelerating downwards.
Two spaceships that have different masses, but rocket engines of identical force, are at rest in space. If they fire their rockets at the same time, which ship will speed up the fastest? They will not speed up at all but will move at a constant speed since they are in space and the rocket has nothing to push against. The one with the lowest mass. The will increase speed at the same rate since they have identical rocket engines. The one with the highest mass.
The one with the lowest mass.
In the heliocentric model, the retrograde motion of a planet when viewed from Earth is caused by The relative motions of the Sun and planet. The planets elliptical orbit around the Sun. The relative motions of the Earth and the planet. The tilt of the planets orbit to the ecliptic. The planet orbiting on an epicycle.
The relative motions of the Earth and the planet.
Which of the following statements about theories is false? A theory can explain a number of observed facts. If even a single new fact is discovered that contradicts what we expect according to a particular theory, then the theory must be revised or discarded. A theory must make predictions that can be checked by observation or experiment. Theories are not taken seriously if they contradict older, more developed, theories. A theory can never prove beyond all doubt; we can only hope to collect more and more evidence that might support it.
Theories are not taken seriously if they contradict older, more developed, theories.
Imagine that you take a trip to the surface of Mars. How does your weight on Mars compare to your weight on Earth? Note that the mass of Mars is 0.107 times the mass of Earth and its radius is 0.533 times the radius of Earth. Your weight on Mars is 37% less than your weight on Earth. Your weight on Mars is 37% larger than your weight on Earth. Your weight on Mars is 2.7 times less than your weight on Earth. Your weight on Mars is 5 times less than your weight on Earth. Your weight on Mars is 2.7 times greater than your weight on Earth.
Your weight on Mars is 2.7 times less than your weight on Earth.
Which of the following lines or points is always directly over your head, no matter where on Earth you go? Celestial equator Zenith North Celestial Pole Ecliptic
Zenith
You observe a full Moon rising at sunset. What will you see at midnight? third quarter Moon a first quarter Moon a full Moon high in the sky a waning gibbous Moon
a full Moon high in the sky
Where was the Sun in Ptolemyʹs model of the universe? slightly offset from the center at the outer edge, beyond Saturnʹs orbit between the orbits of Venus and Mars between Earth and the Moonʹs orbit at the center
between the orbits of Venus and Mars
According to the universal law of gravitation, if you reduce the distance between two objects by a factor of four, then the gravitational force between them will decrease by a factor of 2. decrease by a factor of 4. decrease by a factor of 16. increase by a factor of 2. increase by a factor of 4. increase by a factor of 16.
increase by a factor of 16.
We describe a location on Earthʹs surface by stating its ________. latitude and direction (or azimuth) altitude and direction (or azimuth) latitude and longitude meridian and longitude
latitude and longitude
An angle of 1 arcsecond is ________. about the width of your fist held at armʹs length less than the thickness of a human hair held at armʹs length slightly more than the width of a basketball held at armʹs length about the width of a finger held at armʹs length
less than the thickness of a human hair held at armʹs length
We can see each other in the classroom right now because we reflect infrared light. emit thermal radiation. reflect visible light. emit visible light. emit infrared light.
reflect visible light.
In 1948, Ansel Adams took the following famous picture of the Moon over Yosemite Valley, California. Astronomers recently analyzed the image and determined that it was taken on September 15, 1948 at precisely 7:03 p.m. Pacific Daylight Saving Time. Which direction was Ansel Adams facing when he took the picture? North South East West
East
Suppose you live at latitude 40°N. Which of the following describes the path of the celestial equator through your sky (Hint: It might help to draw a celestial sphere)? It goes from due south on your horizon, to your zenith, to due north on your horizon. It goes from due east on your horizon, to your zenith, to due west on your horizon. It goes from due east on your horizon, to an altitude of 40° in the south, to due west on your horizon. It goes from due east on your horizon, to an altitude of 50° in the south, to due west on your horizon. It goes from due east on your horizon, to an altitude of 40° in the north, to due west on your horizon
It goes from due east on your horizon, to an altitude of 50° in the south, to due west on your horizon.
What practical value did astronomy offer to ancient civilizations? It helped them understand our cosmic origins. It helped them keep track of time and seasons, and it was used by some cultures for navigation. It helped them find uses for ancient structures like Stonehenge. It allowed them to predict eclipses with great accuracy.
It helped them keep track of time and seasons, and it was used by some cultures for navigation.
Which of the following statements about lunar phases is true ? It is possible to have two full Moons during November, but not during December. The full Moon sometimes rises around midnight. The time between new Moons is two weeks. The time from one new Moon to the next new Moon is the same as the time from first-quarter Moon to third-quarter Moon. It is possible to have two full Moons during January, but not during February.
It is possible to have two full Moons during January, but not during February.
One of the most famous images in history is this image of the Earth from the Moon taken by the crew of Apollo 8 on December 24, 1968. In this image, the south pole of the Earth is on the left, and the north pole is on the right. What was the phase of the Moon as seen from Earth that night? New Waxing Crescent Waxing Gibbous Full Waning Gibbous Waning Crescent
Waxing Crescent
On Thursday September 1, 2016 there was an annular solar eclipse (visible from Africa). What will be the phase of the Moon on Halloween Day, Monday, October 31, 2016? Waning Crescent Waxing gibbous Waning gibbous Waxing crescent Last quarter Full
Waxing crescent
The declination of a star in our sky is defined as the angle between the celestial equator and the star Sun and the star, measured along the ecliptic the vernal equinox and the star, measured along the celestial equator center of the galaxy and the star, measured along the galactic equator
celestial equator and the star
The diagram below shows the approximate location of the Sun as it sets along the western horizon. Which number indicates the location of the Sun at sunset on December 21 for an observer in Australia? SW 1 W2 3 NW 1 2 3 The Sun will set in the east for an observer in the southern hemisphere. The Sun will not set on December 21 at this latitude.
1
One light-hour is the distance that light travels in an hour. How far is this, in kilometers? (Recall that the speed of light is 300,000 km/s. Enter only the number, do not enter the units.)
1.08e9
If we could observe the background stars in daylight, how would the Sun appear to move against this background because of our revolution around the Sun? 15 degrees per hour, from west to east 1 degree per day, from east to west 15 degrees per hour, from east to west 1 degree per day, from west to east
15 degrees per hour, from west to east
You look up and see the bright star Vega (right ascension 18.5 hours) on your meridian. How long will it be before the bright star Arcturus (right ascension 14.25 hours) is on your meridian? 19.75 hours 24 hours 32.75 hours 4.25 hours
19.75 hours
On June 21, the Sun is 23.5° north of the celestial equator. What is the maximum altitude of the Sun in the sky as seen from Melbourne, Australia (latitude 38° S) on June 21? (Hint: Draw a celestial sphere)
28.5
If the unaided eye can see about 6000 stars in the entire sky, about how many stars would be seen at any one time on a given night from a single location? 3000 It depends on your latitude. An observer at one of the poles will see 6000, while an observer on the equator will see 1/2 this many, or 3000 Only 1000 of the 6000 would be visible because the rest are below the horizon 6000
3000
For an observer in Sydney, Australia (latitude of 34 degrees south), what is the altitude of the south celestial pole? 124 degrees 34 degrees The south celestial pole is not visible from Sydney 56 degrees 146 degrees
34 degrees
Congratulations again! You have been selected to be a contestant on the next season of the television show Survivor. You are stranded on an island and will receive extra food if you can determine your latitude on Earth. The next night, you use your hand and measure the altitude of the bright star Sirius to be 33 degrees above your southern horizon. If Sirius has a declination of -17 degrees, what is your latitude on Earth? 50 degrees north 40 degrees north 33 degrees south 16 degrees north
40 degrees north
What is the maximum altitude of the Sun as seen from Anchorage, Alaska (61 degrees north latitude) on the day of the winter solstice (December 21)? Enter just the number, do not enter any units.
5.5
On June 21, the Sun is 23.5° north of the celestial equator. What is the maximum altitude of the Sun in the sky as seen from Charlottesville (latitude 38° N) on June 21? (Hint: Draw a celestial sphere)
75.5
In modern astronomy, the constellations are Nearby galaxies to which astronomers have given names. Groups of stars in the night sky related to one another and held together by their mutual gravity. 12 or 13 regions of the sky through which the Sun, Moon, and planets mover as seen from the Earth. 88 regions of the sky, covering the entire sky.
88 regions of the sky, covering the entire sky.
An astronomer discovers an object at a distance of 28 million light years from Earth. Based on the distance, which of the following is this object most likely to be? A star in our Galaxy An artificial satellite orbiting the Earth A new planet in our solar system A galaxy
A galaxy
What is the difference between a synodic month and a sidereal month? A synodic month is based on the orbit of some planet around the Sun and a sidereal month is based on the orbit of the Moon around Earth. A synodic month is the time it takes for a cycle of the Moon's phases and a sidereal month is our 30 or 31 day calendar month. A synodic month is our 30 or 31 day calendar month and a sidereal month is the time it takes for a cycle of the Moon's phases. A synodic month is the time it takes for a cycle of lunar phases and a sidereal month is the time it takes the Moon to orbit Earth (relative to the stars).
A synodic month is the time it takes for a cycle of lunar phases and a sidereal month is the time it takes the Moon to orbit Earth (relative to the stars).
If you set out a lawn chair and wait, which of the following events are you most likely to observe first? An annular solar eclipse a total solar eclipse A total lunar eclipse An annular lunar eclipse
A total lunar eclipse
On the day of the vernal equinox (around March 21), which of the following conditions holds? The Sun rises farthest in the northeast on this day. Both day and night are 12 hours long at all locations on Earth. The length of daylight is longest on this day. The length of night is longest on this day.
Both day and night are 12 hours long at all locations on Earth.
The Caracol, located at Chichen Itza in the Yucatan had a hole in the roof that allowed the Maya to determine the date that the Sun was directly overhead Uses a large stone 100 yards away to align with the summer solstice sunrise Contained a small telescope that was used by the Maya to observe Venus Could be used to predict the next occurrence of a total lunar eclipse Contains windows that are aligned to the rising points of Venus along the horizon
Contains windows that are aligned to the rising points of Venus along the horizon
The pattern of stars that is visible from one location on Earth gradually shifts from east to west across the sky over one night. This is caused by the A. Atmospheric motion and winds B. Revolution of the Moon and planets around the Sun C. Revolution of the Earth around the Sun D. Rotation of the Earth about its own north-south axis
D. Rotation of the Earth about its own north-south axis
Which of the following explains why navigators a few hundred years ago found it much more difficult to determine their longitude than their latitude? Determining longitude requires much more precise measurements of angles in the sky than does latitude. Determining longitude without modern instruments requires being able to see the Moon. Determining longitude requires having an accurate clock. Determining longitude requires mathematical techniques that were not known at the time.
Determining longitude requires having an accurate clock.
Choose the letter for the real motion of space from the list below that is responsible for the following: The constellation Capricornus is high in the sky at midnight in August, but not visible in February. Earth rotates once each day. Earth revolves around the Sun once each year. The direction of Earthʹs axis in space precesses with a period of 26,000 years. Stars appear to move randomly in the local solar neighborhood. The universe is expanding.
Earth revolves around the Sun once each year.
Choose the letter for the real motion of space from the list below that is responsible for the following: Jupiter rises in the east and sets in the west. Earth rotates once each day. Earth revolves around the Sun once each year. The direction of Earthʹs axis in space precesses with a period of 26,000 years. Stars appear to move randomly in the local solar neighborhood. The universe is expanding.
Earth rotates once each day.
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.) Earthʹ s rotation defines a day. The Sunʹ s rotation defines a week. The Moonʹ s rotation defines a month. Earthʹ s orbit defines a year. Earthʹ s rotation defines a day. The cycle of the Moonʹ s phases takes about a month. Earthʹ s orbit defines a year. Earthʹ s cycle of axis precession takes 26,000 years. Earthʹ s rotation defines a day. The saros cycle of eclipses defines a month. Earthʹ s orbit defines a year. Earthʹ s cycle of axis precession takes 26,000 years. Earthʹ s rotation defines a day. The cycle of the Moonʹ s phases takes about a week. Earthʹ s orbit defines a year. Earthʹ s cycle of axis precession defines a month.
Earthʹ s rotation defines a day. The cycle of the Moonʹ s phases takes about a month. Earthʹ s orbit defines a year. Earthʹ s cycle of axis precession takes 26,000 years.
Your friends have heard that you took an astronomy class and they need your advice. They plan to get married at sunset, and they want the Moon to be high in the sky. What phase should the Moon be? Full First Quarter Last Quarter New
First Quarter
You board an airplane in the United States and fly to Australia. Just before you cross the International Date Line, you check the clock on the onboard entertainment system and it is 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. Half an hour later, just after you cross the International Date Line, you look the clock again. What day is it now? Wednesday Thursday Tuesday Friday
Friday
In order to keep the Roman calendar in sync with the seasons, what major change did Julius Caesar make to our calendar (Julius may have done many of the answers below, but only one keeps the calendar in sync with the seasons)? He added a leap day every fourth year. He moved the start of the year to January 1. He added two months to the calendar in 46 B.C.E. He picked March 25 as the date of the vernal equinox.
He added a leap day every fourth year.
What major reform did Pope Gregory XIII make to the calendar to prevent Easter from slipping into the winter months in the future (Pope Gregory may have done more than one of these, but only one prevents the date of Easter from slipping into winter)? He declared that century years evenly divisble by 100 would NOT be leap years unless they are divisible by 400 (that is, 1700, 1800, and 1900 were not leap years, but 2000 was). He declared that century years evenly divisble by 100 would be leap years unless they are divisible by 400 (that is, 1700, 1800, and 1900 were leap years, but 2000 was not). He dropped 10 days from the calendar. He moved the start of the year to January 1.
He declared that century years evenly divisble by 100 would NOT be leap years unless they are divisible by 400 (that is, 1700, 1800, and 1900 were not leap years, but 2000 was).
What is today's date (October 13) in the Roman Calendar? Remember that In March, July, October, May The Ides are on the Fifteenth Day The Nones the Seventh; but all besides Have two days less for Nones and Ides XIII Kalends October Kalends October III Ides October XVIII Kalends November Pridie Ides October
III Ides October
Which of the following statements does not use the term light-year in an appropriate way? It will take the Voyager spacecraft about 20,000 years to travel just 1 light-year. A light-year is about 10 trillion kilometers. It will take me light-years to complete this homework assignment. The Milky Way Galaxy is about 100,000 light-years in diameter. Itʹs about 4 light-years from here to Alpha Centauri.
It will take me light-years to complete this homework assignment.
An astronaut standing on the far side of the Moon would See the Earth rise once every 29.5 days and take nearly 15 days to cross the sky. See the Earth rise once every 27.3 days and take nearly 14 days to cross the sky. Never see the Earth since it is never visible from the far side. Always see the Earth in the same spot in the sky, never moving.
Never see the Earth since it is never visible from the far side.
Which of the following statements about the Milky Way Galaxy is not true? Our solar system is located very close to the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. The galaxy is about 100,000 light-years in diameter. It contains a few hundred billion stars. One rotation of the galaxy takes about 200 million years. Our view of distant objects is obscured by gas and dust when we look into the galactic plane.
Our solar system is located very close to the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.
Over the course of one night, an observer at any given location on Earth sees the constellations gradually move from east to west across the sky. This is caused primarily by the revolution of the Earth around the Sun Rotation of the Earth on its axis wind inherent rotation of the universe
Rotation of the Earth on its axis
Suppose you live at latitude 40°N. Which of the following describes the conditions that make a star circumpolar? Stars are circumpolar if they have right ascension > 6 hr. Stars are circumpolar if they have right ascension < 6 hr. Stars are circumpolar if they have declination > +50°. Stars are circumpolar if they have declination > +40°. No stars are circumpolar at this latitude.
Stars are circumpolar if they have declination > +50°.
Thursday September 22 was the autumnal (fall) equinox. It is when the Sun crosses the equator going from the south to the north Sun is at its southernmost declination for the year (-23.5 degrees) Sun crosses the equator going from the north to the south Sun crosses the ecliptic plane
Sun crosses the equator going from the north to the south
In addition to the conditions required for any solar eclipse, what must also be true in order for you to observe a total solar eclipse? The Moonʹs umbra must touch the area where you are located. Earth must be near aphelion in its orbit of the Sun. The Moonʹs penumbra must touch the area where you are located. Earth must lie completely within the Moonʹs umbra. Earth must lie completely within the Moonʹs penumbra.
The Moonʹs umbra must touch the area where you are located.
Which of the following statements does not use the term angular size or angular distance correctly? The angular size of the Sun is about the same as that of the Moon. You can use your outstretched hand against the sky to estimate angular sizes and angular distances. The angular distance between those two bright stars in the sky is about 2 meters. The angular distance between those two houses in the distance is 30 degrees.
The angular distance between those two bright stars in the sky is about 2 meters.
What is the celestial sphere? 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. The celestial sphere is a representation of how the entire sky looks as seen from Earth. It represents a belief in an Earth‐centered universe, and hence is no longer considered to have any use. The celestial sphere is a model that shows the true locations in space of the Sun and a few thousand of the nearest stars.
The celestial sphere is a representation of how the entire sky looks as seen from Earth.
Choose the letter for the real motion of space from the list below that is responsible for the following: Polaris will no longer be the North Star 1,000 years from now. Earth rotates once each day. Earth revolves around the Sun once each year. The direction of Earthʹs axis in space precesses with a period of 26,000 years. Stars appear to move randomly in the local solar neighborhood. The universe is expanding.
The direction of Earthʹs axis in space precesses with a period of 26,000 years.
All of the following statements are true. Which one explains the reason why there is not a solar eclipse at every new Moon? The sidereal month is shorter than the lunar month. The Moon is the primary cause of tides on Earth. The nodes of the Moonʹs orbit precess with an 18-year period. The Moon rotates synchronously with its revolution about Earth. The orbital plane of the Moon is tilted by about 5° to the ecliptic plane.
The orbital plane of the Moon is tilted by about 5° to the ecliptic plane.
What conditions are required for a lunar eclipse? The phase of the Moon must be new, and the Moonʹs orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moonʹs orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. The phase of the Moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moonʹs orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. The phase of the Moon must be full, and the Moonʹs orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. The phase of the Moon can be new or full, and the nodes of the Moonʹs orbit must be nearly aligned with the Earth and the Sun.
The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moonʹs orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun.
Which of the following statements about sidereal and solar days is not true? The time it takes for a star to make one circuit of our sky is one sidereal day. The time it takes for the Moon to make one circuit of our sky is one solar day. The time it takes for the Sun to make one circuit of our sky is one solar day. A solar day represents more than 360° of rotation for Earth. A solar day is 4 minutes longer than a sidereal day.
The time it takes for the Moon to make one circuit of our sky is one solar day.
The point directly over your head is called ________. The North Star The meridian The North Celestial Pole (NCP) The zenith
The zenith
In the Northern hemisphere, the full Moon will appear highest in the sky at the time of the Winter Solstice Vernal Equinox Summer Solstice Autumnal Equinox
Winter Solstice
Which of the following correctly describes the meridian in your local sky? the point directly over your head a half‐circle extending from your horizon due east, through your zenith, to your horizon due west a half‐circle extending from your horizon due north, through your zenith, to your horizon due south a half‐circle extending from your horizon due east, through the north celestial pole, to your horizon due west
a half‐circle extending from your horizon due north, through your zenith, to your horizon due south
It's December 21, the Sun is at your zenith, and you have a UT clock that tells you it is 9 p.m. in Greenwich, England. Where are you? at latitude 23.5° N and longitude 135° E at latitude 23.5° S and longitude135° W on the Tropic of Cancer, near the International Date Line on the Tropic of Capricorn, near the International Date Line
at latitude 23.5° S and longitude135° W
A typical galaxy is a ________. large, glowing ball of gas powered by nuclear energy nearby object orbiting a planet collection of a few hundred million to a trillion or more stars, bound together by gravity relatively small, icy object orbiting a star
collection of a few hundred million to a trillion or more stars, bound together by gravity
If it is midnight in New York, it is midnight everywhere. midday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. midnight in Sydney, Australia. daytime in Sydney, Australia. midnight in Los Angeles.
daytime in Sydney, Australia.
Jupiter appears to be 46 arcseconds across as seen from Earth. This angle is less than half an arcminute more than a degree more than an arcminute but less than a degree roughly three-quarters of an arcminute
roughly three-quarters of an arcminute
The names of the seven days of the week are based on the most popular Norse gods. seven naked-eye objects that appear to move among the constellations. seven brightest stars in the prominent constellation Orion. seven largest constellations of the ancient world. seven planets closest to the Sun.
seven naked-eye objects that appear to move among the constellations.
Which of the following is smallest? 1 AU size of a typical star 1 light-second size of a typical planet
size of a typical planet
What is the Saros cycle? the 18-year cycle over which the pattern of eclipses repeats the roughly 6-month period between eclipse seasons the period between a total solar eclipse and a total lunar eclipse the period between total solar eclipses the period between eclipses
the 18-year cycle over which the pattern of eclipses repeats
What is an astronomical unit ? the average speed of Earth around the Sun the diameter of Earthʹs orbit around the Sun the average distance from Earth to the Sun any basic unit used in astronomy the length of time it takes Earth to revolve around the Sun
the average distance from Earth to the Sun
Which of the following is the reason for the solar day being longer than a sidereal day? the combined effect of the rotation of Earth and its orbit about the Sun the non-circular orbit of Earth around the Sun the tilt of Earthʹs axis precession of Earthʹs axis Earth year being a non-integer number of Earth days
the combined effect of the rotation of Earth and its orbit about the Sun
Suppose we look at a photograph of many galaxies. Assuming that all galaxies formed at about the same time, which galaxy in the picture appears the youngest? the one that is bluest in color the one that appears smallest in size the one that is reddest in color the one that is farthest away the one that is closest to us
the one that is farthest away
Suppose you are facing north and you see the Big Dipper close to your northern horizon, with Polaris (and the Little Dipper) above it. Where will you see the Big Dipper in six hours? to the left of Polaris; that is, 90 degrees clockwise from its current position to the right of Polaris; that is, 90 degrees counterclockwise from its current position directly above Polaris still in the same place, below Polaris
to the right of Polaris; that is, 90 degrees counterclockwise from its current position
When are eclipse seasons? in the spring and fall when Earth, the Sun, and the Moon are exactly aligned for an eclipse when the nodes of the Moonʹs orbit are nearly aligned with the Sun in the summer and winter during an eclipse
when the nodes of the Moonʹs orbit are nearly aligned with the Sun
Which of the following has your ʺ addressʺ in the correct order? you, Earth, solar system, Local Group, Milky Way, Local Supercluster you, Earth, solar system, Local Group, Local Supercluster, Milky Way you, Earth, solar system, Milky Way, Local Supercluster, Local Group you, Earth, solar system, Milky Way, Local Group, Local Supercluster you, Earth, Local Group, Local Supercluster, solar system, Milky Way
you, Earth, solar system, Milky Way, Local Group, Local Supercluster