Question 1
0.75/ 0.75pts
What approximate date is the spring equinox for the Southern hemisphere?
December 21
September 21
June 21
March 21
December 25
Question 2
0.75/ 0.75pts
How does the Greek letter designation of a star give you clues both to its
location and its apparent brightness?
The brightest star in a constellation is usually designated as Alpha, the
second brightest as Beta, and so on. The star’s approximate location is
described by the name of the constellation.
The constellation name describes the star’s location in the sky; the brightest
star in a constellation is usually designated as Omega, the second brightest
as Psi, and so on.
The constellation name describes the star’s location in the sky; the faintest
star is usually designated as Alpha, the second faintest as Beta, and so on.
The Greek letter describes the star’s location in the sky. The constellation
name describes the star’s apparent brightness.
I Question 3
0/ 0.75pts
Why can’t the Moon be eclipsed when it is halfway between nodes of its
orbit?
The Moon in this position could not be full.
The Moon in this position could not be in exactly the same direction as the
Sun.
The Moon in this position could not be directly opposite the Sun.
The Moon in this position could not be new.
I Question 4
0/ 0.75pts
Why don’t solar eclipses happen every new moon?
Due to the Moon’s orbital tilt. Solar eclipses can only occur when the Moon is
new near one of the nodes of the Moon’s orbit.
Due to the eccentricity of the Moon’s orbit. Solar eclipses can only occur
when the Moon is at the average distance from Earth.
Due to Earth’s axial tilt. Solar eclipses can only occur when Earth’s rotation
axis is nearly perpendicular to the ecliptic.
Due to the eccentricity of Earth’s orbit. Solar eclipses can only occur when
Earth is at the average distance from the Sun.
Question 5
0.75/ 0.75pts
It is the first day of summer. Will the days start getting longer tomorrow,
start getting shorter tomorrow, or will the Sun stay up in the sky tomorrow
for as long as it did today?
The days will start getting longer.
The days will start getting shorter.
The sun will stay up in the sky for as long as it did today.
The increase or decrease in the day length depends on the latitude.
Question 6
0.75/ 0.75pts
From your knowledge of star names and constellations, which of the
following stars is probably brighter, Alpha Ursae Majoris or Epsilon Ursae
Majoris?
Epsilon Ursae Majoris is brighter because it is designated by a Greek letter
that is nearer to the beginning of the Greek alphabet.
Epsilon Ursae Majoris is brighter because it has a Greek letter designation
that suggests that it is the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Major.
Alpha Ursae Majoris is brighter because it has a Greek letter designation that
suggests that it is the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Major.
Alpha Ursae Majoris is brightest because it is designated by a Greek letter
that is nearer to the end of the Greek alphabet.
Question 7
0.75/ 0.75pts
Why are most of the constellations that were invented in modern times
located in the southern sky?
Southern stars became brighter during stellar evolution in more recent
years.
Many of the stars in modern constellations are newly born; they did not exist
when early astronomers were observing.
Stars in the southern sky were not visible to early astronomers observing
from northern latitudes.
Due to the cycles of Earth’s axis inclination variation, stars that used to be in
the southern hemisphere are in the northern one now.
Question 8
0.75/ 0.75pts
The ____ of the Moon and Sun vary slightly because the orbits of the Moon
and Earth are slightly elliptical. The results of this may include a
“supermoon” or an annular eclipse.
angular density
linear diameter
linear distance
angular diameter
angular momentum
I Question 9
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Where do you live if the noon Sun is never more than 23.5 degrees from your
zenith, and it crosses your zenith twice each year?
North Pole
South Pole
Tropic of Cancer
Arctic Circle
Equator
Question 10
0.75/ 0.75pts
In what ways is a celestial sphere a scientific model?
It provides us with insight into ancient beliefs about the Universe.
It describes what we see as the sky appears to turn above us, and enables us
to predict the positions of stars.
It is a rescaled smaller copy of the Universe, which allows us to visualize its
structure.
It provides a precise description of the structure of the Universe.
Question 11
0.75/ 0.75pts
How did the magnitude system originate in a classification of stars by
apparent brightness?
The stars were divided into six classes: the brightest were called first
magnitude and the faintest were called sixth magnitude.
The stars were divided into five classes: the brightest were called first
magnitude and the faintest were called fifth magnitude.
The stars were divided into six classes: the brightest were called sixth
magnitude and the faintest were called first magnitude.
The stars were divided into five classes: the brightest were called fifth
magnitude and the faintest were called first magnitude.
Question 12
0.75/ 0.75pts
Which is the asterism and which is the constellation: Orion and Orion’s belt?
Name another asterism/constellation combination.
Orion is the constellation and Orion’s belt is the asterism. The Big Dipper is
an asterism within the constellation Ursa Major.
Orion’s belt is the constellation and Orion is the asterism. The Big Dipper is
an asterism within the constellation Ursa Major.
Orion is the constellation and Orion’s belt is the asterism. Ursa Major is an
asterism within the constellation Big Dipper.
Orion’s belt is the constellation and Orion is the asterism. Ursa Major is an
asterism within the constellation Big Dipper.
Question 13
0.75/ 0.75pts
Which of these planets will never be seen crossing the meridian in the night
sky?
Mercury
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
I Question 14
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Star A has a magnitude of 1.0, and it is 60 times brighter than Star B. What is
the magnitude of Star B?
3.4
5.4
-3.4
7.0
61
Question 15
0.75/ 0.75pts
Tonight you see a waxing crescent moon. Seven days from now, which phase
will you see if the night is clear?
Seven days later, the phase of the Moon would be a waxing crescent.
Seven days later, the phase of the Moon would be a waning gibbous.
Seven days later, the phase of the Moon would be a waning crescent.
Seven days later, the phase of the Moon would be a waxing gibbous.
Question 16
0.75/ 0.75pts
What is the approximate flux ratio between a star with a magnitude of 2.0
and a star with a magnitude of 4.5? In other words, how many times brighter
is one star than the other?
2.5
62
10
6
43
I Question 17
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What produces the lunar phases?
The rotation of the Moon
The revolution of the Moon
The changing direction of sunlight
Earth’s tilted axis relative to the Moon
The changing direction of Earth to the Moon
I Question 18
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Why do solar eclipses happen only at new moon?
The Moon should be in Earth’s shadow, therefore, at the same side as the
Sun.
The Moon should be in Earth’s shadow, therefore, at the opposite side from
the Sun.
Earth should be in the Moon’s shadow, therefore at the opposite side of the
Sun.
Earth should be in the Moon’s shadow, therefore, at the same side as the
Sun.
Question 19
0.75/ 0.75pts
Where would you need to go on Earth to see the celestial equator very near
your horizon?
To the latitude 66.6 degrees south of Earth’s equator.
To the latitude 23.4 degrees north of Earth’s equator.
To Earth’s North or South Pole.
To Earth’s equator.
Question 20
0.75/ 0.75pts
Where would you go on Earth if you wanted to be able to see both the north
celestial pole and the south celestial pole at the same time?
To the latitude 23.4 degrees north of Earth’s equator.
To Earth’s North or South Pole.
To the latitude 66.6 degrees south of Earth’s equator.
To Earth's equator
