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MIDTERM
CHAPTERS 1-5
190
Astronomy
Undergraduate 1
06/28/2012
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Term
A solar system contains
 Definition
A. a single star and planets.  
B. thousands of superclusters.  
C. large amounts of gas and dust but very few stars.  
D. large amounts of gas, dust, and stars.  
E. primarily planets.
Term
A galaxy contains
 Definition
A. primarily planets.  
B. a single star and planets.  
C. thousands of superclusters.  
D. large amounts of gas and dust but very few stars.  
E. large amounts of gas, dust, and stars.
Term
How many centimeters are there in one kilometer?
 Definition
A. 100,000  
B. 1 x 106  
C. 1000  
D. 10,000  
E. 100
Term
Scientific notation is used in science because
 Definition
A. it makes it easy to write large or small numbers.  
B. all astronomical distances are expressed in metric units.  
C. it makes conversions between units easy.  
D. all of the above.  
E. none of the above.
Term
The average distance from Earth to the sun is
 Definition
A. 1 ly  
B. 1 AU  
C. 1 million miles  
D. 1 million km  
E. 1 billion km
Term
2.9 x 107 is the same as
 Definition
A. 2.9 million.  
B. 29 million.  
C. 290 thousand.  
D. 29 thousand.  
E. 2.9 thousand.
Term
64,200,000,000 is equal to
 Definition
A. 6.42 x 107  
B. 6.42 x 10-7  
C. 6.42 x 1010  
D. 6.42 x 10-10  
E. 1.0 x 1064.2
Term
The sun is
 Definition
A. more than 100 times the diameter of Earth.  
B. a star.  
C. 1 AU from Earth.  
D. all of the above.  
E. none of the above.
Term
If the nearest star is 4.2 light-years away, then
 Definition
A. the star must be very young.  
B. the star must be very old.  
C. the star is 4.2 million AU away.  
D. the light we see left the star 4.2 years ago.  
E. the star must have formed 4.2 billion years ago.
Term
The Milky Way Galaxy
 Definition
A. contains less than 100 billion stars.  
B. is the largest known object in the universe.  
C. is about 80,000 light-years in diameter.  
D. is located about 2.2 million light years from the sun.  
E. Only a and c are correct.
Term
Which of the following is the largest?
 Definition
A. the diameter of Jupiter  
B. the distance from Earth to the sun  
C. the diameter of the sun  
D. the diameter of Earth  
E. the diameter of the moon
Term
Which arrangement is in order of increasing size, left to right?
 Definition
A. solar system, galaxy, star, planet  
B. planet, galaxy, star, solar system  
C. planet, star, solar system, galaxy  
D. planet, star, galaxy, solar system
Term
The Milky Way Galaxy
 Definition
A. contains more than 100 billion stars.  
B. is about 200 light-years in diameter.  
C. is the largest known object in the universe.  
D. a, b, and c are correct.  
E. Only a and c are correct.
Term
If the Milky Way Galaxy contains 100 billion stars and only one star in 100 has an Earth-like planet, how many stars in the Milky Way Galaxy may have Earth-like planets?
 Definition
A. 1  
B. 1,000,000  
C. 100 billion  
D. 1000  
E. 1,000,000,000
Term
What does the size of the image of a star in a photograph tell us about the star?
 Definition
A. the mass of the star  
B. the temperature of the star  
C. the brightness of the star  
D. the distance to the star  
E. the diameter of the star
Term
Which sequence is correct when ordered by increasing size?
 Definition
A. Earth, Milky Way, Solar System, galaxy clusters  
B. Solar System, Earth, galaxy clusters, Milky Way  
C. Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, galaxy clusters  
D. Galaxy clusters, Solar System, Milky Way, Earth
Term
How is a planet different than a star?
 Definition
A. Planets are brighter than stars.  
B. Planets reflect light while stars produce their own light.  
C. Planets are larger than stars.  
D. Stars move faster in the sky than planets.
Term
If we say that an object is 1,000 light-years away we see it
 Definition
A. as it looked 1,000 years ago.  
B. as it would appear to our ancestors 1,000 years ago.  
C. as it is right now, but it appears 1,000 times dimmer.  
D. as it looked 1,000 light-years ago.
Term
In science, if new observations disagree with a well established theory then
 Definition
A. the theory should be reevaluated and possibly modified.  
B. the observations must be discarded.  
C. this should be accepted as part of the overall incomprehensibility of the universe and nothing should be done  
D. the predictions should be changed.  
E. the theory must be discarded immediately.
Term
In applying the scientific method to the study of our natural surroundings, scientists are
 Definition
A. correctly explaining a wide variety of observations with explanations that can then be considered natural laws.  
B. discovering by observation the absolute truth about limited areas of science and are therefore slowly building up the correct view of the universe.  
C. slowly amassing a vast bank of observations of nature, which, some time in the future, will be assembled into the correct description of the universe.  
D. formulating hypotheses that describe the present observations of nature and that predict possible further tests for these models.  
E. developing a theoretical view of the universe that incorporates all previous ideas and myths as part of an overall philosophy.
Term
A(n) _____________ is a single idea that can be tested.
 Definition
A. theory  
B. natural law  
C. hypothesis  
D. paradigm  
E. model
Term
According to the scientific method, a hypothesis that is proposed to explain a particular physical phenomenon is considered to be wrong if
 Definition
A. it disagrees with the accepted theory at the time of the proposal.  
B. leading scientists in the world believe that it is wrong.  
C. if it can not explain a related phenomenon.  
D. it is in conflict with the results of just one reliable and repeatable observation.  
E. it appears to defy logic and logical reasoning.
Term
In following the scientific method, a theory proposed to explain a given phenomenon must
 Definition
A. explain all known and reliable observations and predict new experiments and observations.  
B. agree with and build on previous theories but need not explain all observations since some of these may be erroneous.  
C. use the same assumptions as previous experiments so that it can be correctly and completely compared to previous theories.  
D. explain all previous and reliable observations in a consistent manner but need not suggest new tests for the theory since a theory should only be tested in one way.  
E. predict new and different experiments that will extend theoretical understanding but need not explain all the previous observations since no theory is expected to explain everything completely.
Term
In one way of naming stars, a ____ letter indicates its brightness relative to the other stars in the constellation.
 Definition
A. Cyrillic  
B. Arabic  
C. English  
D. Greek
Term
A constellation must consist of a number of stars, all
 Definition
A. at various different distances from the Earth.  
B. within a boundary in the same general angular area of the sky.  
C. Wrong! Constellations are made of planets only.  
D. at the same distance from the Earth.
Term
Although the constellations originated in Greek and Middle Eastern mythology, the names are
 Definition
A. English.  
B. Chinese.  
C. Russian.  
D. German.  
E. Latin.
Term
The names of stars usually come from
 Definition
A. Chinese.  
B. ancient Arabic.  
C. Russian.  
D. ancient English.  
E. Latin.
Term
____ is the brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Majoris.
 Definition
A. Beta Ursa Majoris  
B. Alpha Ursa Majoris  
C. Wrong! Ursa Majoris is the name of the brightest star.  
D. Gamma Ursa Majoris
Term
The magnitude scale
 Definition
A. can be used to indicate the apparent intensity of a celestial object.  
B. was used to determine the rate of precession.  
C. is used to measure the temperature of a star.  
D. originated just after the telescope was invented
Term
The apparent visual magnitude of a star is 7.3. This tells us that the star is
 Definition
A. bright enough that it would be visible even during the day.  
B. not visible with the unaided eye.  
C. one of the brighter stars in the sky.  
D. very close to Earth.
Term
The apparent visual magnitude of a star is a measure of the star's
 Definition
A. color.  
B. distance.  
C. intensity.  
D. temperature.  
E. size.
Term
Table 2-1

Star Name

Apparent Visual Magnitude
delta Dra

3.07
alpha Cet

2.53
rho Per

3.98
Nim

8.07
alpha CMa

-1.46

Which star in Table 2-1 would appear the brightest to an observer on Earth?

 Definition
A. alpha Cet  
B. rho Per  
C. Nim  
D. delta Dra  
E. alpha CMa  

 
Term
Based on the information in Table 2-1, what is the ratio of the intensity of delta Dra to that of Nim?
 Definition
A. 11.14  
B. 2.512  
C. 5  
D. 8.07  
E. 100
Term
Which star in Table 2-1 would not be visible to the unaided eye of an observer on Earth?
 Definition
A. alpha CMa  
B. alpha Cet  
C. delta Dra  
D. Nim  
E. rho Per
Term
The star Vega has an apparent visual magnitude of 0.03, and the star HR 4374 has an apparent visual magnitude of 4.87. It has been determined that both stars are at the same distance from Earth. What does this information tell us about the two stars?
 Definition
A. Vega must produce more energy than HR 4374.  
B. Vega must be farther from Earth than HR 4374.  
C. Vega must be closer to Earth than HR 4374.  
D. Vega will appear fainter to us than HR 4374.  
E. Vega must produce less energy than HR 4374.
Term
Seen from the northern latitudes, the star Polaris
 Definition
A. is always above the northern horizon.  
B. is the brightest star in the sky.  
C. is never visible during the winter.  
D. always sets directly in the west.  
E. is never above the horizon during the day.
Term
An observer on Earth's equator would find
 Definition
A. Polaris 40° above the northern horizon.  
B. that the ecliptic coincides with the horizon.  
C. Polaris directly overhead.  
D. that the celestial equator coincides with the horizon.  
E. the celestial equator passing directly overhead.
Term
The celestial equator is
 Definition
A. a line around the sky directly above Earth's equator.  
B. the dividing line between the north and south celestial hemispheres.  
C. the path that the sun appears to follow on the celestial sphere as Earth orbits the sun.  
D. a and b.  
E. a and c.
Term
The ____ is the point on the celestial sphere directly above any observer
 Definition
A. zenith  
B. celestial equator  
C. asterism  
D. south celestial pole  
E. north celestial pole
Term
An observer in the Northern Hemisphere watches the sky for several hours. Due to the motion of Earth, this observer notices that the stars near the north celestial pole appear to move
 Definition
A. nearly vertically upward.  
B. clockwise.  
C. from left to right.  
D. counter clockwise.  
E. from right to left.
Term
You live at a latitude of 73° N. What is the angle between the northern horizon and the north celestial pole?
 Definition
A. 27°  
B. 17°  
C. 23.5°  
D. 73°  
E. 5°
Term
You live at a latitude of 39° S. What is the angle between the southern horizon and the south celestial pole?
 Definition
A. The answer depends on the day of the year.  
B. 39°  
C. 51°  
D. 23.5°  
E. 45°
Term
You live at a latitude of 28° N. What is the angle between the northern horizon and the north celestial pole?
 Definition
A. 23.5°  
B. 28°  
C. 40°  
D. 5°  
E. 62°
Term
You live at a latitude of 16° S. What is the angle between the southern horizon and the south celestial pole?
 Definition
A. 164°  
B. 16°  
C. 23.5°  
D. 74°  
E. 5°
Term
If the north celestial pole appears on your horizon, what is your latitude?
 Definition
A. 0°  
B. The latitude of the observer cannot be determined from the information given.  
C. 90° N  
D. 90° S  
E. 45° N
Term
What is the approximate latitude of the observer in the diagram below?

[image]
 Definition
A. 90° N  
B. 50° N  
C. 90° S  
D. 0°  
E. 50° S  
Term

What is the approximate latitude of the observer in the diagram below?

[image]

 Definition
A. 0°  
B. 20° S  
C. 20° N  
D. 70° S  
E. 70° N  

 
Term

An observer in the Northern Hemisphere takes a time exposure photograph of the night sky. If the illustration depicts the photograph taken by the observer, which direction was the camera pointing?

[image]

 Definition
A. straight north  
B. straight up, directly overhead  
C. straight west  
D. straight south  
E. straight east
Term
An observer in the Northern Hemisphere takes a time exposure photograph of the night sky. If the illustration depicts the photograph taken by the observer, which direction was the camera pointing?

[image]
 Definition
A. straight up, directly overhead  
B. straight east  
C. straight south  
D. straight west  
E. straight north
Term
An observer in the Southern Hemisphere takes a time exposure photograph of the night sky. If the illustration depicts the photograph taken by the observer, which direction was the camera pointing?

[image]
 Definition
A. straight south  
B. straight east  
C. straight up, directly overhead  
D. straight west  
E. straight north
Term
An observer in the Southern Hemisphere takes a time exposure photograph of the night sky. If the illustration depicts the photograph taken by the observer, which direction was the camera pointing?

[image]
 Definition
A. straight west  
B. straight up, directly overhead  
C. straight north  
D. straight east  
E. straight south
Term
An observer in the Southern Hemisphere takes a time exposure photograph of the night sky. If the illustration depicts the photograph taken by the observer, which direction was the camera pointing?

[image]
 Definition
A. straight west  
B. straight up, directly overhead  
C. straight south  
D. straight north  
E. straight east
Term
What causes summer here in the northern hemisphere? In the summer, at this point
 Definition
A. the Earth is closer to the sun.  
B. the Earth's northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun.  
C. the Earth's northern hemisphere is tilted toward the sun.
Term
When it is winter in the northern hemisphere, it is ____ in the southern hemisphere.
 Definition
A. fall  
B. summer  
C. winter  
D. spring
Term
The sun moves ____ along the ecliptic among the stars.
 Definition
A. eastward  
B. westward  
C. The sun does not appear to move.  



Term
Which of the following causes seasons on the earth?
 Definition
A. the eleven-year sunspot cycle  
B. the tilt of the earth's axis  
C. the sun's varying light output  
D. the earth being closer to the sun during our summer and farther during our winter
Term
The summer solstice (at the start of summer) is the point on the ecliptic where the sun
 Definition
A. crosses the celestial equator moving south.  
B. crosses the celestial equator moving north.  
C. is farthest north of the celestial equator halting its northward movement.  
D. is farthest south of the celestial equator halting its southward movement.  
Term
At the time of the winter solstice (the start of winter) the sun is
 Definition
A. farthest south of the celestial equator.  
B. on the celestial equator moving north.  
C. on the celestial equator moving south.  
D. farthest north of the celestial equator.
Term
As seen from the earth, the sun appears to move ____ along the ____ among the stars.
 Definition
A. eastward, celestial equator  
B. westward, celestial equator  
C. Wrong! The sun does not appear to move among the stars.  
D. westward, ecliptic  
E. eastward, ecliptic
Term
At the time of the winter solstice (the start of winter) the sunlight is at a lower angle and thus is ____ than(as) in the start of summer.
 Definition
A. the same intensity  
B. more intense  
C. less intense
Term
Precession of the rotation axis of Earth is caused by
 Definition
A. the magnetic field of Earth.  
B. the impact of asteroids.  
C. the formation and subsequent melting of glaciers during the ice-ages.  
D. the force of gravity from the sun and moon on Earth's equatorial bulge.  
E. the force of gravity from the sun and Jupiter on the Earth-moon system.  

 
Term
Precession of the rotation axis of Earth takes ____ to complete a cycle.
 Definition
A. one year  
B. 24 hours  
C. 260 years  
D. 260,000 years  
E. 26,000 years
Term
The inclination of the axis of the earth varies from 22° to 24° degrees taking ____ to complete a cycle.
 Definition
A. 24 hours  
B. 41,000 years  
C. Wrong! The Earth's axis tilt is fixed at 23.50.  
D. 1 year  
E. 499 years
Term
In the Milankovitch theory, the elliptical shape of the Earth's orbit, its axis tilt, and axis precession vary with time. These combined at times to create ____ on Earth
 Definition
A. daily temperature variations  
B. day and night  
C. ice ages  
D. seasonal temperature variations  
E. the constellations
Term
Which of the following statements correctly describes the relationship between stars and constellations?
 Definition
A. Only those stars that were visible to the ancient Greeks are located in constellations.  
B. Only the brighter stars are in constellations.  
C. Only stars close to the ecliptic (the Earth's orbital plane) are located in constellations.  
D. Every star is located in a constellation.
Term
How much of the night sky is north of the celestial equator?
 Definition
A. Less than one-half, because of the tilt of the equator to the ecliptic plane.  
B. Exactly one-half.  
C. All of the night sky.  
D. More than one-half, because of the precession of the poles.
Term
If you point toward the zenith right now and then point there again 6 hours later, you will have pointed twice in the same direction relative to
 Definition
A. your horizon.  
B. the Sun.  
C. the fixed stars.  
D. the Moon.
Term
If an observer walks north toward increasing latitude, the number of circumpolar stars would
 Definition
A. decrease.  
B. remain constant.  
C. increase.  
D. Unknown unless you also state the longitude of the observer.  

 
Term
If the Sun passes directly overhead on at least one day per year, then
 Definition
A. you could be anywhere because this occurs at least once per year at any location on the Earth.  
B. you are within 23.5° latitude of the equator.  
C. you are within 66.5° latitude of the equator.  
D. you must be exactly on the equator.
Term
In Brazil, the longest period of daylight occurs during the month of
 Definition
A. December.  
B. June.  
C. September.  
D. March.
Term
If you are standing at the Earth's North Pole, which of the following would be located at the zenith?
 Definition
A. The nadir  
B. The north celestial pole  
C. The star Vega  
D. The celestial equator
Term
For stars in the same constellation they
 Definition
A. probably formed at the same time.  
B. must be part of the same cluster of stars in space.  
C. must have been discovered at about the same time.  
D. may actually be very far away from each other.
Term
During the month of June the north celestial pole points towards Polaris but during the month of December it points
 Definition
A. towards the star Thuban.  
B. still towards Polaris.  
C. just south of Polaris.  
D. towards the star Vega.  
E. just north of Polaris.
Term
The phases of the moon are caused by its ____ and ____.
 Definition
A. spherical shape; orbital motion around the sun  
B. cubical shape; orbital motion around the sun  
C. cubical shape; orbital motion around Earth  
D. spherical shape; orbital motion around Earth  
E. spherical shape; orbital motion around the sun
Term
A waxing crescent moon is visible
 Definition
A. near the eastern horizon just before sunrise.  
B. near the eastern horizon just after sunset.  
C. near the western horizon just before sunrise.  
D. near the western horizon just after sunset.  
E. from sunset until sunrise
Term
The first quarter moon rises
 Definition
A. at about noon.  
B. at sunset.  
C. at sunrise.  
D. at about midnight.  
E. during the second week of each calendar month
Term

Suppose you see the moon close to the horizon as shown above at 6:30 p.m. (in the evening).

 

Which of the following statements is true?

 Definition
A. You are facing north  
B. You are facing east  
C. You are facing west  
D. Not enough information to say for sure  
E. You are facing south
Term

Suppose you see the moon close to the horizon as shown above at 6:30 p.m. (in the evening).

 

Which of the following statements is true?

 Definition
A. the moon's phase is crescent waning  
B. the moon's phase is crescent waxing  
C. the moon's phase is first quarter  
D. the moon's phase is gibbous waxing  
E. the moon is full
Term

Suppose you see the moon close to the horizon as shown above at 6:30 a.m. (in the morning).

 

Which of the following statements is true?

 Definition
A. Not enough information to say for sure  
B. You are facing south  
C. You are facing east  
D. You are facing north  
E. You are facing west
Term

Suppose you see the moon close to the horizon as shown above at 6:30 a.m. (in the morning).

 

Which of the following statements is true?

 Definition
A. the moon is full  
B. the moon's phase is gibbous waxing  
C. the moon's phase is crescent waxing  
D. the moon's phase is crescent waning  
E. the moon's phase is first
Term

Suppose you see the moon close to the horizon as shown above at 6:30 p.m. (in the evening).

 

Which of the following statements is true?

 Definition
A. Not enough information to say for sure  
B. You are facing east  
C. You are facing south  
D. You are facing west  
E. You are facing north
Term

Suppose you see the moon close to the horizon as shown above at 6:30 a.m. (in the morning).

 

Which of the following statements is true?

 Definition
A. You are facing west  
B. You are facing south  
C. You are facing north  
D. Not enough information to say for sure  
E. You are facing east
Term
The __________ moon is rising in the east a couple of hours before sunrise.
 Definition
A. waning gibbous  
B. new moon  
C. waning crescent  
D. waxing crescent  
E. waxing gibbous
Term
The __________ moon is rising at sunrise.
 Definition
A. new moon  
B. waxing crescent  
C. waxing gibbous  
D. waning gibbous  
E. waning crescent
Term
The __________ moon is rising at sunset.
 Definition
A. new moon  
B. first quarter  
C. third quarter  
D. waxing gibbous  
E. full moon
Term
The __________ moon is overhead at sunset.
 Definition
A. third quarter  
B. new moon  
C. full moon  
D. first quarter  
E. waxing gibbous
Term
The __________ moon is not seen at sunset.
 Definition
A. full moon  
B. waxing gibbous  
C. waxing crescent  
D. first quarter  
E. third quarter
Term
The first quarter moon rises
 Definition
A. at about midnight.  
B. at sunrise.  
C. at about noon.  
D. at sunset.  
E. during the second week of each calendar month
Term
A waxing crescent moon is visible
 Definition
A. near the western horizon just before sunrise.  
B. near the eastern horizon just before sunrise.  
C. from sunset until sunrise  
D. near the western horizon just after sunset.  
E. near the eastern horizon just after sunset.
Term
The moon moves about ____ eastward in the sky each night.
 Definition
A. 13°  
B. 5°  
C. 29.5°  
D. 27.3°  
E. 1°
Term
The synodic period of the moon
 Definition
A. is about 27.32 days long.  
B. is the period of time for the moon to orbit Earth once with respect to the stars.  
C. is the period of time between successive eclipses at a given location on Earth.  
D. is the period of time from when the moon rises until the moon rises again the next night.  
E. none of the above
Term
The time for the moon to repeat its cycle of phases is equal to
 Definition
A. its sidereal period.  
B. one day.  
C. one hour.  
D. one year.  
E. its synodic period.
Term
A lunar eclipse occurs when
 Definition
A. the sun passes between Earth and Earth's moon.  
B. Earth passes between the Earth's moon and the sun.  
C. the Earth's moon passes between Earth and the sun.  

 
Term

During a total lunar eclipse, which of the following are true?

 

I. The photosphere of the sun is obscured.

II. The moon is in Earth's umbra.

III. The moon is new.

IV. The moon is full.

 Definition
A. II, IV  
B. I, II, III  
C. II, III  
D. I, II, III, IV  
E. I, III
Term
A totally eclipsed moon glows coppery red because
 Definition
A. the moon' surface is made of iron ore which is red in color.  
B. red light is cooler than blue light.  
C. during a lunar eclipse the sun is cooler than normal, and its light is more red.  
D. red light is better able to pass completely through Earth's atmosphere and reach the moon.  
E. The moon appears red during a total solar eclipse, not a total lunar eclipse.
Term
Total lunar eclipses always occur
 Definition
A. during the time of new moon.  
B. during the time of full moon.  
C. on either the vernal or autumnal equinox.  
D. on either the summer or winter solstice.  
E. when the moon is near one of the solstice points.
Term
During a total lunar eclipse
 Definition
A. the moon must be new.  
B. the observer must be in the path of totality.  
C. the moon will glow a coppery red.  
D. the moon must be at its greatest distance from Earth.  
E. the date must be near the date of one of the equinoxes.
Term
During an annular eclipse, the moon's umbral shadow is too
 Definition
A. bright to produce a total solar eclipse.  
B. faint to produce a total solar eclipse.  
C. wide to produce a total solar eclipse.  
D. long to produce a total solar eclipse.  
E. short to produce a total solar eclipse.
Term
A total lunar eclipse is
 Definition
A. visible only from the path of totality.  
B. visible only during a new moon.  
C. visible to all observers on the side of Earth from which the moon would be visible at that time.  
D. an opportunity to study the corona of the sun.  
E. none of the above
Term
nm
 Definition
Term
A solar or lunar eclipse will occur
 Definition
A. when the sun is near the line of nodes of the moon, and the moon is new or full.  
B. any time the moon is new or full.  
C. when the sun is near the solstice, and the moon is new or full.  
D. half-way through an eclipse year.  
E. when the sun is near the equinox, and the moon is new or full.
Term
An eclipse season is the period of time during which the
 Definition
A. moon crosses a node in its orbit.  
B. sun crosses a node in the moon's orbit.  
C. line of nodes crosses the moon's orbit.  
D. moon is new or full.  
E. moon is visible during the day.
Term
If the moon enters Earth's shadow but does not reach the umbra, the eclipse is termed
 Definition
A. partial.  
B. umbral.  
C. penumbral.  
D. total.  
E. annular.
Term
A solar eclipse occurs when
 Definition
A. the sun passes between Earth and Earth's moon.  
B. Earth passes between the Earth's moon and the sun.  
C. the Earth's moon passes between Earth and the sun.  

 
Term
Which of the following is not visible during the totality of a total solar eclipse?
 Definition
A. the corona of the sun  
B. the chromosphere of the sun  
C. prominences  
D. the photosphere of the sun  
E. all of the above
Term
A solar eclipse that occurs when the moon's umbra does not reach Earth's surface is called
 Definition
A. a total solar eclipse.  
B. a partial solar eclipse.  
C. an annular solar eclipse.  
D. a penumbral solar eclipse.  
E. an umbral solar eclipse.
Term
The saros cycle
 Definition
A. was used in ancient times to predict eclipses.  
B. is 18 years, 11 1/3 days long.  
C. comes from a Greek word that means repetition.  
D. all of the above  
E. none of the above
Term
The ____ is 18 years and 11 1/3 days long.
 Definition
A. synodic period  
B. eclipse year  
C. eclipse season  
D. saros cycle  
E. sidereal period
Term
The phase of the Moon on a particular night is determined by
 Definition
A. The season of the year  
B. The speed of the Moon in is orbit  
C. The relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon  
D. How the Earth's shadow hits the Moon  
E. The distance from the Earth to the Moon
Term
On a clear night when an observer in Los Angeles sees a first quarter Moon an observer in London would see
 Definition
A. a full moon.  
B. a first quarter moon.  
C. a new moon.  
D. a third quarter moon.  
E. any of the above, depends on the time  

 
Term
Earth doesn't experience a solar eclipse every month because
 Definition
A. of unpredictable weather patterns.  
B. the moon always keeps its same side toward the Earth  
C. the moon's position is not aligned with the Earth's orbit.  
D. its sometimes nighttime when the eclipse occurs.  
E. sometimes the moon is too far away.  

 
Term
The Moon's angular diameter in our sky is measured to be 0.5°. From this, we can find
 Definition
A. diameter of the Moon if we know the Moon's distance.  
B. distance to the Moon with no other information about the Moon.  
C. diameter of the Moon with no other information about the Moon.  
D. the mass density of the Moon if we know its distance from the Earth.  

 
Term
The ecliptic can be defined as
 Definition
A. the plane that is perpendicular to the Earth's axis of rotation.  
B. the projection of the Earth's equator onto the sky.  
C. the path traced out by the Moon in our sky in one month against the background stars.  
D. the path traced out by the Sun in our sky over one year against the background stars.
Term
The lowest amount of solar energy per square meter is incident upon the surface of Earth in the northern hemisphere on or about
 Definition
A. December 21, the winter solstice.  
B. March 21, the vernal equinox.  
C. September 21, the autumnal equinox.  
D. June 21, the summer solstice.  

 
Term
Full Moon always occurs
 Definition
A. on the 15th of ever month.  
B. when the Moon is at right angles to the direction of the Sun.  
C. when the Moon is closer to Sun than the Earth is.  
D. when the Moon is directly opposite the position of the Sun
Term
In which direction does the daily motion of the Moon occur in the sky, against the background stars, when viewed from the Earth?
 Definition
A. Toward the north celestial pole in the summer and the south celestial pole in the winter  
B. Toward the east  
C. Toward the west  
D. No predictable pattern can be discerned
Term

The diagram below shows three approximate locations of the sun along the western horizon. Which number indicates the location of the sun at sunset on December 21st for an observer at latitude 48° S?

[image]

 Definition
A. The sun will not set on December 21st at this latitude.  
B. 3  
C. The sun will set in the east for an observer in the southern hemisphere.  
D. 1  
E. 2
Term
The Caracol, located in the Yucatan,
 Definition
A. was the site of Mayan atomic weapons experiments.  
B. was used by the Mayans to plot the path of the planet Pluto .  
C. contains a small telescope that was used by the Maya to observe Venus.  
D. contains widows that are aligned to rising points of Venus along the horizon.  
E. has a hole in its roof that allowed the Maya to observe sunspots with their telescope
Term
The primary alignment in the Big Horn Medicine Wheel is an alignment of two stone cairns with
 Definition
A. the location of the sun at noon on the Vernal equinox.  
B. the full moon on the summer solstice.  
C. the southern most point on the horizon where Venus rises.  
D. Polaris, the north star.  
E. the summer solstice sunrise point.
Term
____ introduced the concept of the eccentrics and epicycle to planetary motion about Earth, created a star catalog, and is generally credited with the development of trigonometry.
 Definition
A. Tycho  
B. Copernicus  
C. Kepler  
D. Galileo  
E. Hipparchus  

 
Term
Ptolemy's model of the universe
 Definition
A. was heliocentric.  
B. contained epicycles.  
C. included elliptical orbits.  
D. all of the above  
E. none of the above
Term
The purpose of using epicycles and deferents to explain the motion of the planets in the night sky was to account for
 Definition
A. non-uniform speed of the planets in their orbits.  
B. retrograde motion.  
C. prograde motion.  
D. Mercury and Venus' limited angular distance from the Sun.  
E. precession of the equinoxes.
Term
A(n) ____ is a circle whose center is located on the circumference of another circle.
 Definition
A. ellipse  
B. equant  
C. epicycle  
D. retrograde loop  
E. deferent
Term
Which of the following people did not accept a heliocentric model of the universe?
 Definition
A. Galileo  
B. Kepler  
C. Tycho  
D. Aristarchus  
E. Copernicus
Term
Which of these were things ancient Greek astronomers never even considered in astronomy?
 Definition
A. The Earth goes around the sun.  
B. The Earth is round.  
C. Everything in the universe goes around the Earth.  
D. Wrong! They considered the possibility of all the above.
Term
The Almagest
 Definition
A. first described the Copernican theory.  
B. caused the author to be sentenced to house arrest.  
C. is a collection of the science and mathematics of the Greeks.  
D. is a book of astrological myths and predictions produced by the Arabs.  
E. is the book that first described the heliocentric solar system.
Term
The book "De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium" (On the revolution of the heavenly spheres)
 Definition
A. is a dialog written to convince the general public of the merits of the Copernican theory.  
B. describes the Tychonian theory.  
C. describes how Galileo's observations and Kepler's calculations proved the Copernican theory.  
D. describes the construction of Galileo's telescope and his observations.  
E. first described the Copernican theory.
Term
Which of the following people was a Polish cleric (church official)?
 Definition
A. Johannes Kepler  
B. Nicholas Copernicus  
C. Giordano Bruno  
D. Galileo Galilei  
E. Tycho Brahe
Term
The Copernican system was no more accurate than the Ptolemaic system in predicting the positions of the planets because
 Definition
A. the Copernican system used the old value for the radius of Earth.  
B. Copernicus had been unable to detect parallax.  
C. Copernicus used inaccurate data from Ptolemy's system.  
D. the Copernican system included uniform circular motion.  
E. in the Copernican system only Mercury and Venus orbit the sun, all other planets orbited Earth.
Term
Which of the following statements best describes Nicholas Copernicus' model of the solar system?
 Definition
A. Geocentric. The sun, moon, and planets all orbit the Earth along elliptical orbits centered on the Earth.  
B. Geocentric. However, all of the planets (Earth excluded) orbit the sun. Then the sun, along with its companion planets, orbits the Earth along a perfectly circular orbit.  
C. Heliocentric. The Earth is a planet orbiting the sun along a perfectly circular orbit just like all of the other planets.  
D. Geocentric. The sun, moon, and planets all orbit the Earth along perfectly circular Earth-centered orbits.  
E. Heliocentric. The Earth is a planet orbiting the sun along an elliptical orbit just like all of the other planets.
Term
Which of the following was viewed by Copernicus's contemporaries as a clear advantage of the Copernican system?
 Definition
A. All of its main features could be readily confirmed by telescopic observation.  
B. It gave a simpler explanation of retrograde motion than did Ptolemy's system.  
C. It gave much more accurate predictions of planetary positions than did Ptolemy's system.  
D. It was in better agreement with "common sense" observations of planetary motions.  
E. It was in much better agreement with Aristotle's physics than was Ptolemy's model.
Term
Which of the following people was a Danish nobleman with his own island observatory?
 Definition
A. Johannes Kepler  
B. Nicholas Copernicus  
C. Giordano Bruno  
D. Galileo Galilei  
E. Tycho Brahe
Term
In what way was Nicholas Copernicus' solar system the same as Ptolemy's?
 Definition
A. Both were heliocentric  
B. In both systems Earth was a planet  
C. Both were geocentric  
D. In both systems all orbits were elliptical  
E. In both systems all orbits were perfect circles  

 
Term
In pre-Copernican astronomy, it was almost universally believed that
 Definition
A. the planets traveled in elliptical orbits about the Earth.  
B. the center of the universe was the Sun with the Milky Way representing other distant planets.  
C. the Sun was at the center of the universe.  
D. the Earth was at the center of the universe.  
E. None of the above was believed.
Term
Brahe's universe was the same as the Copernican universe except that
 Definition
A. the moon orbited the sun.  
B. the sun did not move.  
C. Earth did not move.  
D. the orbits followed uniform circular motion.  
E. the orbits were elliptical with the sun at one focus.
Term
Tycho Brahe's greatest contribution to astronomy was
 Definition
A. his model of the universe.  
B. his telescopic observations.  
C. his discovery of three laws of motion.  
D. his years of careful observations of the planets.  
E. a and b above.
Term
Which of the following is a true statement about Tycho Brahe's contribution to astronomy?
 Definition
A. He was the first to measure unambiguously the distance from the Earth to a "fixed" star.  
B. He worked closely with Copernicus, helping him with the editing of "De Revolutionibus".  
C. He provided observational proof of the Copernican system.  
D. He determined the positions of stars and planets with the greatest accuracy ever achieved up to that time.  
E. He developed a theoretical model of the solar system which is still in use today.
Term
Which of the following statements is true about Tycho's observations of the "new star" (nova)
 Definition
A. He discovered that the brightness of the nova fluctuated in a periodic manner and this information could be used to determine its distance.  
B. He found that the nova exhibited more parallax than the moon and, therefore, must be closer than the moon.  
C. He found that the nova did not exhibit parallax, and, therefore, it must be farther away than the moon.  
D. His accurate star charts enable him to determine that the "new" star was actually an "old" star which blew up.  
E. Using a telescope, he was able to see the nova expand and contract in diameter.
Term
Which of the following statements best describes Tycho Brahe's compromise model of the solar system?
 Definition
A. The Earth is stationary and in the center of the solar system. However, all of the planets (Earth excluded) orbit the sun. Then the sun, along with its companion planets, orbits the Earth along a perfectly circular orbit.  
B. The Earth is stationary and at the center of the solar system. The sun, moon, and planets all orbit the Earth along perfectly circular Earth-centered orbits.  
C. The sun is the center of the solar system. The Earth is a planet orbiting the sun along a perfectly circular orbit just like all of the other planets.  
D. The Earth is stationary and at the center of the solar system. The sun, moon, and planets all orbit the Earth along elliptical orbits centered on the Earth.  
E. The sun is the center of the solar system. The Earth is a planet orbiting the sun along an elliptical orbit just like all of the other planets.
Term
Which of the following people was an Italian professor of mathematics?
 Definition
A. Tycho Brahe  
B. Galileo Galilei  
C. Nicholas Copernicus  
D. Johannes Kepler  
E. Giordano Bruno
Term
Galileo's observations of the gibbous phase of Venus proved
 Definition
A. that Venus orbits the sun.  
B. that all of the planets orbit the sun.  
C. that the moon orbits Earth.  
D. that Earth orbits the sun.  
E. that Venus has an atmosphere.
Term
An apparent westward motion of a planet in the sky compared to the background stars (as viewed from the Earth) when observed on successive nights is referred to as
 Definition
A. prograde motion  
B. epicycle  
C. retrograde motion  
D. deferent  
E. heliocentric motion
Term
When Mars is located directly behind the Earth with respect to the Sun in its orbit, it is
 Definition
A. at the midpoint in the sky between east and west at midnight.  
B. at the midpoint in the sky between east and west at sunrise  
C. not visible in the night sky  
D. at the midpoint in the sky between east and west at noon.  
E. at the midpoint in the sky between east and west at sunset
Term
Which of the following planets can be seen as a crescent phase from Earth?
 Definition
A. Mercury  
B. Venus  
C. Mars  
D. Both a and b  
E. All of the above
Term
Which of the following people was a German mathematics teacher?
 Definition
A. Johannes Kepler  
B. Galileo Galilei  
C. Tycho Brahe  
D. Nicholas Copernicus  
E. Giordano Bruno
Term
Which of the following statements best describes Johannes Kepler's model of the solar system?
 Definition
A. The Earth is stationary and at the center of the solar system. The sun, moon, and planets all orbit the Earth along elliptical orbits centered on the Earth.  
B. The Earth is stationary and at the center of the solar system. The sun, moon, and planets all orbit the Earth along perfectly circular Earth-centered orbits.  
C. The sun is the center of the solar system. The Earth is a planet orbiting the sun along a perfectly circular orbit just like all of the other planets.  
D. The sun is the center of the solar system. The Earth is a planet orbiting the sun along an elliptical orbit just like all of the other planets.  
E. The Earth is stationary and in the center of the solar system. However, all of the planets (Earth excluded) orbit the sun. Then the sun, along with its companion planets, orbits the Earth along a perfectly circular orbit.
Term
( [image]= suFn , [image] = planet) Whose model of the solar system is shown in this diagram?[image]
 Definition
A. Claudius Ptolemy  
B. Galileo Galilei  
C. Nicholas Copernicus  
D. Tycho Brahe  
E. Johannes Kepler
Term
Which of the following best summarizes Kepler's first law?
 Definition
A. All planets move around the sun along elliptical orbits. The sun is at the one of the foci of the ellipse.  
B. "What goes up must come down."  
C. "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less."  
D. All planets move around the sun along perfect circles (orbits). The sun is at the center of these circular orbits.  
E. The retrograde motion of Mars is explained by Earth passing Mars as both orbit the sun
Term
Which of the following best summarizes Kepler's second law?
 Definition
A. Planets move faster when they are close to the sun than when they are far away.  
B. "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less."  
C. All planets move around the sun along perfect circles (orbits). The sun is at the center of these circular orbits.  
D. The retrograde motion of Mars is explained by Earth passing Mars as both orbit the sun.  
E. Although different planets move around the sun at different speeds, a given planet will at all times move at the same speed as it orbits the sun.
Term
Which of the following best summarizes Kepler's third law?
 Definition
A. All planets move around the sun along perfect circles (orbits). The sun is at the center of these circular orbits.  
B. "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less."  
C. The time it takes for a planet to complete one orbit around the sun is related to the distance of that planet from the sun.  
D. All planets move on epicycles traveling on Earth-centered deferents. Epicycles are required to explain retrograde motion.  
E. "What goes up must come down."
Term
Which of the following was not based on uniform circular motion?
 Definition
A. the Almagest  
B. the Prutenic Tables  
C. the Rudolphine Tables  
D. the Copernican system  
E. the Alphonsine Tables
Term
According to Aristotle an object with no forces in it will
 Definition
A. move at a constant speed forever.  
B. move faster and faster.  
C. stop moving eventually.
Term
According to Galileo (and not according to Aristotle), an object with no forces (and no friction) on it will
 Definition
A. stop moving eventually.  
B. move faster and faster.  
C. move at a constant speed forever.
Term
According to Galileo, the acceleration of a freely falling object due to gravity is ____ the larger the mass of the object.
 Definition
A. always the same  
B. larger  
C. smaller
Term
According to Aristotle, which of the following would be an example of violent motion?
 Definition
A. an apple falling from a tree  
B. warm air rising above hot pavement  
C. a person pushing a car along the street  
D. an arrow moving through the air after it's left the bow  
E. a barrel rolling down a ramp
Term
Galileo found that
 Definition
A. the moon's orbit is elliptical.  
B. heavy and light objects fall at the same rate.  
C. heavy objects fall faster than lighter objects.  
D. only objects made of earth and water fell to the ground.  
E. falling objects fall at a constant speed.
Term
When we say that gravitation is universal we mean that
 Definition
A. objects with no forces on them move with constant speed.  
B. an object with a force on it accelerates in the direction of the force.  
C. it is a property of all matter in the universe.  
D. the force of gravity from one object extends to infinity.  
E. both answers c and d
Term
Newton concluded that some force had to act on the moon because
 Definition
A. a force is needed to pull the moon away from straight-line motion.  
B. a force is needed to pull the moon outward.  
C. a force is needed to keep the moon in motion.  
D. the moon moved at a constant velocity.  
E. all of the above
Term
When two objects of unequal mass orbit each other, the center of mass is
 Definition
A. half way between the centers of each object.  
B. always closer to the less massive of the two objects.  
C. at the center of the least massive object.  
D. always closer to the more massive of the two objects.  
E. at the center of the more massive object.
Term
The ____ of an object is a measure of the amount of matter it contains. On the other hand ____ is a measure of the gravitational force on an object.
 Definition
A. weight, mass  
B. force, energy  
C. energy, force  
D. momentum, energy  
E. mass, weight
Term
Gravity obeys the inverse square law. This statement implies that the gravitational force of one body on another will be ____ apart.
 Definition
A. six times weaker at 2 meters than at 6 meters  
B. nine times stronger at 2 meters than at 6 meters  
C. The brightness of the force will not change with distance between the two bodies.  
D. two times stronger at 2 meters than at 6 meters  
E. three times stronger at 2 meters than at 6 meters
Term
Perigee is
 Definition
A. the point in an object's orbit around Earth, when the object is closest to Earth.  
B. the point in a planet's orbit when the planet is closest to the sun.  
C. the time it takes a celestial object to complete one orbit around the object it is orbiting.  
D. the point in a planet's orbit when the planet is farthest from the sun.  
E. the point in the moon's orbit when the moon is farthest from Earth
Term
A comet near the sun whose orbit is ____ would never be near the sun again.
 Definition
A. following an inverse square law  
B. apogee  
C. hyperbolic  
D. circular  
E. elliptical
Term
Newtonian physics tells us that Kepler's second law
 Definition
A. is incorrect and needs to be modified.  
B. is a result of the conservation of mass.  
C. is a consequence of the inverse square law.  
D. is a result of the conservation of energy.  
E. is a result of the conservation of angular momentum.
Term
The circular velocity of a satellite orbiting Earth is given by [image]. In this equation
 Definition
A. M represents the mass of the satellite and r the distance from Earth's surface to the satellite.  
B. M represents the mass of Earth and r the distance from Earth to the satellite.  
C. M represents the mass of Earth and r the radius of Earth.  
D. M represents the mass of the satellite, and r is its radius.  
E. M represents the mass of the satellite and r the distance from Earth to the satellite.
Term

The diagram below illustrates the orbit of a satellite around Earth. Which letter indicates the location of perigee?

[image]

 Definition
A. D  
B. Perigee is the time to complete an orbit.  
C. A  
D. C  
E. B
Term
A(n) ____ orbit is one where the orbiting object is always above the same location on Earth's surface
 Definition
A. hyperbolic  
B. geosynchronous  
C. parabolic  
D. closed  
E. elliptical
Term
The apogee of a(n) ____ orbit does not exist.
 Definition
A. geosynchronous  
B. elliptical  
C. All orbits have both a perigee and an apogee.  
D. parabolic  
E. closed
Term
Which of the following is not an example of conservation of angular momentum?
 Definition
A. A skater speeding up a spin by pulling her arms and legs closer to her body.  
B. A basketball that spins slower and slower as it spins on your finger.  
C. A diver slowing his somersault by moving from a tuck, or curled, position to a layout, or open, position.  
D. A man spinning on a stool and extending weights outward from his body and then pulling them in again.  
E. An artificial satellite moving faster at perigee than at apogee.
Term
Tides occur because the gravitational force of the moon on the Earth ____ with increasing distance from the moon
 Definition
A. stays constant  
B. decreases  
C. increases
Term
The ____ produce(s) tides on the Earth
 Definition
A. sun alone  
B. moon alone  
C. both moon and sun
Term
Spring tides occur
 Definition
A. at new moon and first quarter moon.  
B. at first quarter and third quarter moons.  
C. at third quarter and full moons.  
D. at noon and midnight.  
E. at new moon and full moon.
Term
____ occur when the moon is new and the moon is full.
 Definition
A. Total solar eclipses  
B. Annular eclipses  
C. Spring tides  
D. Neap tides  
E. A coppery red moon will  

 
Term
How often do spring tides occur?
 Definition
A. Twice a week  
B. Twice a day  
C. Twice a year  
D. Twice a month
Term
The equivalence principle can be illustrated by
 Definition
A. the formation of energy by nuclear fusion.  
B. a space capsule coasting through space at constant velocity.  
C. the increase in the speed of light from a star as the light moves past the sun during a solar eclipse.  
D. a person riding in an elevator.  
E. the change in mass of a moving body.
Term
According to the theory of general relativity, gravity is caused by
 Definition
A. the equivalence principle.  
B. the curvature of space-time.  
C. the change in mass of a moving body.  
D. the constant speed of light.  
E. none of the above.
Term
   
One of the first tests of the general theory of relativity was
 Definition
A. the determination of the rate of advance of the perihelion of Mercury's orbit.  
B. the demonstration of a hammer and a feather falling at the same rate on the moon.  
C. the change in mass of a particle moving at a high speed.  
D. the description of the orbit of the moon.  
E. the determination of the speed of light to be constant.
Term

Due to the curvature of space-time by the sun, light from stars that passes near the edge of the sun will

[image]

 Definition
A. not be affected by the curvature of space-time.  
B. be bent so that the stars appear further from the edge of the sun than if space-time was not curved.  
C. be bent so that the stars are no longer visible.  
D. be bent so that the stars appear closer to the edge of the sun than if space-time was not curved.
Term
The second postulate of special relativity states that
 Definition
A. observers cannot distinguish locally between inertial forces due to acceleration and uniform gravitational forces due to the presence of a massive body.  
B. the acceleration of an object is proportional to the applied force and inversely proportional to its mass.  
C. the speed of light is constant and will be the same for all observers independent of their motion relative to the light source.  
D. observers cannot detect their uniform motion except relative to other objects.  
E. the laws of physics are the same for all observers, no matter what their motion, as long as they are not accelerating.
Term
Which statement best describes the "fabric" of space and time as outlined by the classical physics of Newton?
 Definition
A. Space becomes "curved" and time slows down near a source of gravity, as measured by a distant observer.  
B. Space is perfectly uniform and is mapped by a fixed network, whereas time passes at a uniform rate for all observers.  
C. The shape of space and the rate of time variation depends on the relative velocities of observer and observed.  
D. Space is expanding uniformly, whereas the rate of passage of time is slowing down as the universe ages.
Term
If the mass of the Earth decreased by a factor of two with no change in radius, your weight would
 Definition
A. decrease by a factor of 2  
B. increase by a factor of 2.  
C. increase by a factor of 4.  
D. decrease by a factor of 4.  
E. stay the same.
Term

The force due to gravity between two objects depends on

I. the mass of each object.

II. the distance each object is from Earth.

III. the distance between the two objects.

IV. the speed of light.

 Definition
A. I & II  
B. I, II, & III  
C. I, II, III, & IV  
D. II & IV  
E. I & III
Term
Since gravity behaves as an inverse square relation the force due to gravity between two masses
 Definition
A. will cause the two masses to orbit each other.  
B. will cause the two masses to move in a straight line.  
C. will increase as the distance between the two masses increases.  
D. will cause the two masses to move away from each other.  
E. will decrease as the square of the distance between the two masses increases.
Term
Which type of curve would accurately represent a closed orbit?
 Definition
A. hyperbola  
B. straight line  
C. ellipse  
D. parabola  

 
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