Term
| The term "celestial sphere" refers to |
|
Definition
an imaginary sphere centered on the Earth
but much larger to which the fixed stars are attached |
|
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Term
|
Definition
The imaginary half-circle running from the north
point on the horizon through the zenith to the south
point is called the |
|
|
Term
The altitude of the celestial pole at Gainesville
(latitude 30 degrees N, longitude 82 degrees W)
equals |
|
Definition
|
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Term
The approximate date on which the Sun is farthest
north of the celestial equator is |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The imaginary point at which the Sun crosses the
celestial equator moving from S to N is the |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The equatorial coordinate declination is
measured |
|
Definition
N or S of the celestial equator in units
of angle (degrees, arcminutes, arcseconds) |
|
|
Term
The time interval for the Moon to go
around the celestial sphere with respect to
the Sun (cycle of phases) is called the |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The Moon at third or last quarter should set
approximately at |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Which of the following can occur when the
Moon's descending node is aligned with the
vernal equinox? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| The term trilithon refers to |
|
Definition
two large vertical stones with a
third resting across the top |
|
|
Term
Which of the following suggested astronomical
connections for Stonehenge is universally accepted? |
|
Definition
alignment of the center and the Heel
Stone with summer solstice (midsummer) sunrise |
|
|
Term
The term heliacal rising for an object (star
or planet) refers to its |
|
Definition
first appearance in the morning sky before
sunrise after being close to the Sun |
|
|
Term
The alignment of the passageway into Newgrange,
together with the fact that human remains were found at
the end of that passageway, indicates that it was
associated with rituals concerned with |
|
Definition
| death and rebirth/renewal |
|
|
Term
The central axis of the Coricancha was roughly,
though not exactly, aligned with |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The Inca ceque system in Cuzco had
alignments that were defined for each ceque
by |
|
Definition
a number of huacas or shrines,
some but not all astronomical, which did not lie
precisely on a line |
|
|
Term
Planting was supposed to be done when the
Sun passes through the antizenith according to
the Inca. How could this time be determined? |
|
Definition
from the Sun setting opposite the
point on the horizon where it rose on the day
it passed through the zenith |
|
|
Term
| Which of the following is a superior planet? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| When Venus is at inferior conjunction it |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The interval between successive heliacal risings of a
given planet is |
|
Definition
| that planet's synodic period |
|
|
Term
The structure at Uxmal that was called the
"Palace of the Governor" has carvings that
clearly establish that its alignment was not
accidental but rather was quite intentional.
That alignment was towards |
|
Definition
southernmost rise of Venus, which
planet was associated with the god Kukulcan |
|
|
Term
We know that the Maya understood the basic
pattern associated with eclipses because |
|
Definition
it appears in a table in the
Dresden Codex |
|
|
Term
The Mayan agricultural calendar used a
"year" of |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Most of the alignments at the Bighorn
Medicine Wheel, unlike those of Stonehenge, |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The Soyal ceremony of the Hopi is a
celebration of the new year (death and
rebirth). The time for this observance
is marked by |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Navigation by the stars as practiced by the
Pacific Islanders took advantage of the fact that
in the tropics |
|
Definition
| the stars rise and set straight up and down |
|
|
Term
Intercalation of a thirteenth synodic month
into the year based on signs such as the ripening
of plants, migration of animals, or other such
things is termed |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The time of the Nile flood at Memphis in
ancient Egypt was found to coincide with |
|
Definition
| the heliacal rising of Sirius |
|
|
Term
The regular astronomical phenomena, such
as the calendar and planetary cycles like
the twelve-year Jupiter cycle, were supposed
to be the responsibility of which branch of
the Chinese astronomical bureau? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The effect of atmospheric refraction on
measurements of obliquity and latitude like
those made by Guo Shoujing is an example of |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| The first known star catalogue was compiled by |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The Jupiter cycle recognized by the Chinese
is the time interval |
|
Definition
for the location of opposition on the celestial
sphere to go completely around the sky |
|
|
Term
The long measuring scale of Guo Shoujing's
observatory, stretching out to the north of a
masonry tower, was not (so far as is known) used
to determine |
|
Definition
| the Moon's regression period |
|
|
Term
The astronomical instrument called the
gnomon is a |
|
Definition
| vertical stick or stone column |
|
|
Term
The ascending node moves westwards around
the ecliptic because of regression. Since the
Moon moves eastwards with respect to the stars,
this means that the nodical month is |
|
Definition
| shorter than the sidereal month |
|
|
Term
| The precision of an alignment |
|
Definition
is greater when the baseline is
longer |
|
|
Term
The celestial sphere is considered to have its
center located at |
|
Definition
the Earth, more exactly at the Earth's
center |
|
|
Term
The imaginary circle running around the
celestial sphere midway between the celestial poles
is called the |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| The altitude of the celestial pole is equal to |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The approximate date on which the Sun crosses
the celestial equator moving from north to south
is |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The imaginary point at which the Sun reaches
its greatest southern (negative) declination is
called the |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The equatorial coordinate right
ascension is measured |
|
Definition
E along the celestial equator from the
vernal equinox in units of time (hours, minutes,
seconds) |
|
|
Term
The time interval for the Moon to go
around the celestial sphere with respect to
the ascending node is called the |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The Moon at first quarter should set
approximately at |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Which of the following can occur when the
Moon's ascending node is aligned with the
vernal equinox? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| The term trilithon refers to |
|
Definition
two large vertical stones with a
third resting across the top |
|
|
Term
Which of the following suggested astronomical
connections for Stonehenge is the most dubious? |
|
Definition
use of the Aubrey holes to predict
eclipses |
|
|
Term
The term heliacal rising for an object (star
or planet) refers to its |
|
Definition
first appearance in the morning sky before
sunrise |
|
|
Term
The passageway into Newgrange is aligned with
the direction of |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The central axis of the Coricancha was roughly,
though not exactly, aligned with |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The Inca ceque system in Cuzco had
a correspondence with the calendar in that
the number of huacas or shrines matched |
|
Definition
the number of days in the year
when the Pleiades was visible |
|
|
Term
Planting was supposed to be done when the
Sun passes through the antizenith according to
the Inca. How could this time be determined? |
|
Definition
from the Sun setting opposite the
point on the horizon where it rose on the day
it passed through the zenith |
|
|
Term
| Which of the following is an inferior planet? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
When Venus is at greatest eastern elongation
it is |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The interval between successive heliacal risings of a
given planet is |
|
Definition
| that planet's synodic period |
|
|
Term
The structure at Uxmal that was called the
"Palace of the Governor" has carvings that
clearly establish that its alignment was not
accidental but rather was quite intentional.
That alignment was towards |
|
Definition
southernmost rise of Venus, which
planet was associated with the god Kukulcan |
|
|
Term
We know that the Maya recognized the
relationship between the "sacred year" and
the synodic period of Venus because |
|
Definition
it appears in a table in the
Dresden Code |
|
|
Term
The Mayan calendar used for keeping
track of the chronology of events used a
"year" of |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
In addition to solar alignments like some
of the ones at Stonehenge, the Bighorn Medicine
Wheel had which other type of alignment? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The Soyal ceremony of the Hopi is a
celebration of the new year (death and
rebirth). The time for this observance
is marked by |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Navigation by the stars as practiced by the
Pacific Islanders took advantage of the fact that
in the tropics |
|
Definition
| the stars rise and set straight up and down |
|
|
Term
Intercalation of a thirteenth synodic month
into the year based on a fixed pattern over a
certain number of years, like the Metonic cycle,
is termed |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The time of the Nile flood at Memphis in
ancient Egypt was found to coincide with |
|
Definition
| the heliacal rising of Sirius |
|
|
Term
The idea that disorder on Earth, namely
misrule by the ruler, causes disorder in
the heavens was a part of |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The irregular astronomical phenomena, such
as the appearance of "guest stars" and comets,
were supposed to be the responsibility of which
branch of the Chinese astronomical bureau? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| The first known star catalogue was compiled by |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The Jupiter cycle recognized by the Chinese
is the time interval |
|
Definition
for the location of opposition on the celestial
sphere to go completely around the sky |
|
|
Term
The long measuring scale of Guo Shoujing's
observatory, stretching out to the north of a
masonry tower, was used to accurately determine
(among other things) |
|
Definition
(1) the length of the tropical year
(2) the obliquity of the ecliptic |
|
|
Term
The astronomical instrument called the
{\bf zenith tube} is a |
|
Definition
vertical shaft sunk in the ground
(2) vertical stick or stone column |
|
|
Term
he vernal equinox moves westwards around
the ecliptic because of precession. Since the
Sun moves eastwards with respect to the stars,
this means that the tropical year is |
|
Definition
| shorter than the sidereal year |
|
|
Term
The point from which the observer is looking
in an alignment is termed the |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The imaginary circle running around the
celestial sphere midway between the celestial poles
is called the |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The approximate date on which the Sun crosses
the celestial equator moving from south to north
is |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The Sun rises farthest to the south of the
east point on the horizon at the time of |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The equatorial coordinate declination
is measured |
|
Definition
N or S of the celestial equator in
units of angle (degrees, arcminutes, arcseconds) |
|
|
Term
The time interval for the Moon to go
around the celestial sphere with respect to
the fixed stars is called the |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| The Moon at new should set approximately at |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Which of the following can occur when the
Moon's ascending node is aligned with the
autumnal equinox? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The term heliacal rising for an object (star
or planet) refers to its |
|
Definition
first appearance in the morning sky before
sunrise |
|
|
Term
The alignment of the passageway into Newgrange is
associated with |
|
Definition
symbolism of death and rebirth
(2) a time of planting crops |
|
|
Term
The central axis of the Coricancha was roughly,
though not exactly, aligned with which of the
following? |
|
Definition
| rising point of the Pleiades |
|
|
Term
The Torreon at Machu Picchu had an alignment
discussed in class in addition to those from the
Coricancha in Cuzco. It was |
|
Definition
the rising point of the Collca (Tail
of the Scorpion) |
|
|
Term
| Which of the following is an inferior planet? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
When Venus is at greatest western elongation
it is |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
In addition to stellar alignments, unlike
the ones at Stonehenge, the Bighorn Medicine
Wheel had which other type of alignment? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The division of the day into twenty-four
hours originated with |
|
Definition
the Egyptians, starting from
decans to divide the night |
|
|
Term
The Chinese Moon-stations were basically
tied to the |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The long measuring scale of Guo Shoujing's
observatory ("Sky Measuring Scale") was positioned |
|
Definition
) stretching due north from the masonry
tower |
|
|
Term
The ascending node moves westwards around
the ecliptic because of regression. Since the
Moon moves eastwards with respect to the stars,
this means that the nodical month is |
|
Definition
| shorter than the sidereal month |
|
|
Term
The approximate date on which the Sun is farthest
south of the celestial equator is |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The Sun rises in the east (not N or S of
east) |
|
Definition
| at the time of the equinoxes |
|
|
Term
Which equatorial coordinate is measured
N or S of the celestial equator in units
of angle (degrees, arcminutes, arcseconds)? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The time interval for the Moon to go
around the celestial sphere with respect to
the Sun (cycle of phases) is called the |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The Moon at first quarter should set
approximately at |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Lunar minor standstills occur when
the Moon's descending node is coincident
with (i.e., on top of) |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Which of the following suggested astronomical
connections for Stonehenge is universally accepted? |
|
Definition
alignment of the center and the Heel
Stone with summer solstice (midsummer) sunrise |
|
|
Term
| Which of the following is a superior planet? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Venus is a morning star around the time that
it is at |
|
Definition
| greatest western elongation |
|
|
Term
Which of the following types of alignments
does the Bighorn Medicine Wheel not have? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The effect of atmospheric refraction on
measurements of obliquity and latitude like
those made by Guo Shoujing is an example of |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The 12-year cycle recognized by the Chinese
("Year of the Ox" etc.) is associated
with which of the following time intervals? |
|
Definition
Jupiter's orbital period, when its
opposition has gone completely around the sky |
|
|
Term
Kidinnu (known to the Greeks as Cidenas)
has been identified as the person who devised |
|
Definition
the zigzag approximation for the
variable motion in longitude |
|
|
Term
hich of the following statements is
correct? |
|
Definition
Lunar eclipses can occur only when
the Moon is full. |
|
|
Term
The intervals, roughly a month long,
during which eclipses are possible are
separated by about 173 1/3 days. They
are referred to as |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The long measuring scale of Guo Shoujing's
observatory "Sky Measuring Scale")
was used to determine the observatory's
latitude and the obliquity of the ecliptic
using observations of |
|
Definition
the Sun's altitude at the
solstices |
|
|
Term
The approximate date on which the Sun is farthest
north of the celestial equator is |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The Sun rises farthest north of east at
intervals of a |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Which equatorial coordinate is measured
eastward from the vernal equinox along the
celestial equator in units of time (hours,
minutes, seconds)? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The synodic month is defined as
the Moon's period with respect to the |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
The fact that the Moon's nodes regress,
i.e. move westwards with respect to the
fixed stars, while the Moon moves eastwards
means that |
|
Definition
the nodical month will be shorter
than the sidereal month |
|
|
Term
The alignment in Cuzco, the Inca capital,
associated with the Sun's (unseen) passage through
the antizenith was |
|
Definition
the one from the Ushnu towards
the four stone columns on Cerro Picchu |
|
|
Term
The Torreon at Machu Picchu has an alignment
towards the northeast that is essentially the
same as that of the main axis of the Coricancha.
What alignment(s) is/are involved? |
|
Definition
June solstice sunrise and Pleiades
rise |
|
|
Term
Which of the following Babylonian documents
on astronomy that we have considered is earlier? |
|
Definition
| the Venus tablet of King Ammizaduga |
|
|
Term
Which of the following statements is
correct? |
|
Definition
Solar eclipses can occur only when
the Moon is new. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
tables of astronomical occurrences
day-by-day, like the almanac |
|
|
Term
The long measuring scale of Guo Shoujing's
observatory ("Sky Measuring Scale")
along which the shadow was measured was
situated so that it ran outward from the
main structure in which direction? |
|
Definition
|
|
