Question 1

What would you have to change about the Earth to stop our planet from having significantly different seasons?

Accepted Answer

A)  its distance from the Sun 
B)  its diameter 
C)  the amount of water on its surface 
D)  the tilt of its axis 
E)  the orbit of the Moon around it 
A)  its distance from the Sun 
B)  its diameter 
C)  the amount of water on its surface 
D)  the tilt of its axis 
E)  the orbit of the Moon around it D

Question 2

Typically, astronomers express the right ascension of a star on the sky in what units?

Accepted Answer

A)  kilometers 
B)  hours, minutes, and seconds 
C)  light years 
D)  meters squared 
E)  quarters 
A)  kilometers 
B)  hours, minutes, and seconds 
C)  light years 
D)  meters squared 
E)  quarters B

Question 3

An eccentric billionaire wants to build a mansion in a location on Earth where the effect of the seasons is the least pronounced -- where summer and winter are not that different. Where should his personal astronomer advise him to build?

Accepted Answer

A)  at the equator 
B)  at the North Pole 
C)  at the South Pole 
D)  at the Tropic of Cancer (230 N) 
E)  in Bayonne, New Jersey 
A)  at the equator 
B)  at the North Pole 
C)  at the South Pole 
D)  at the Tropic of Cancer (230 N) 
E)  in Bayonne, New Jersey A

Question 4

What phase of the Moon must it be to have a solar eclipse?

Accepted Answer

A)  full moon 
B)  new moon 
C)  first quarter 
D)  third quarter 
E)  it can be any phase as long as the orbits are lined up 
A)  full moon 
B)  new moon 
C)  first quarter 
D)  third quarter 
E)  it can be any phase as long as the orbits are lined up

Question 5

In Australia (in the Southern Hemisphere), when are the days the shortest and the nights the longest?

Accepted Answer

A)  in late December 
B)  in late March 
C)  in late June 
D)  in late April 
E)  days and nights are pretty much the same length throughout the year in Australia 
A)  in late December 
B)  in late March 
C)  in late June 
D)  in late April 
E)  days and nights are pretty much the same length throughout the year in Australia

Question 6

In locating objects on the celestial sphere, we call the number of degrees east or west that something is from Greenwich, England its:

Accepted Answer

A)  latitude 
B)  longitude 
C)  declination 
D)  meridian 
E)  seasonal displacement 
A)  latitude 
B)  longitude 
C)  declination 
D)  meridian 
E)  seasonal displacement

Question 7

From a particular location on Earth, why can we see many more total eclipses of the Moon than total eclipses of the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  the line-up of the Earth, Moon, and Sun needed for a lunar eclipse happens many, many times more often than the line-up needed for a solar eclipse 
B)  the Moon is much bigger in the sky than the Sun 
C)  the Moon is always in the same place in our sky, while the Sun moves around the sky 
D)  a total lunar eclipse is visible over a much larger part of the Earth's surface than a total solar eclipse 
E)  you can't fool me, we always see exactly the same number of total lunar and total solar eclipses from any one location on Earth 
A)  the line-up of the Earth, Moon, and Sun needed for a lunar eclipse happens many, many times more often than the line-up needed for a solar eclipse 
B)  the Moon is much bigger in the sky than the Sun 
C)  the Moon is always in the same place in our sky, while the Sun moves around the sky 
D)  a total lunar eclipse is visible over a much larger part of the Earth's surface than a total solar eclipse 
E)  you can't fool me, we always see exactly the same number of total lunar and total solar eclipses from any one location on Earth

Question 8

You and some friends decide (during a wild party held at the time of the Full Moon) that you cannot live without having the secret recipe for the veggie burger they serve in the college cafeteria. So you decide to plan a break-in to steal the recipe from the chef's office. So that you don't get caught, you want to carry out your plan when there is no moonlight in the evening. What is the next phase of the Moon with no evening moonlight (i.e. when the Moon rises roughly at midnight or later)?

Accepted Answer

A)  new moon 
B)  the next full moon 
C)  first quarter 
D)  a very slim waxing crescent 
E)  third quarter 
A)  new moon 
B)  the next full moon 
C)  first quarter 
D)  a very slim waxing crescent 
E)  third quarter

Question 9

The Julian calendar made the significant advance of:

Accepted Answer

A)  using the Moon's motion to simplify the way the length of the year was calculated 
B)  dropping 12 days from the year that was in use before it 
C)  defining time zones for the first time in the history of the world 
D)  introducing the leap year, so that every fourth year had an extra day 
E)  allowing everyone to sleep late on Saturdays 
A)  using the Moon's motion to simplify the way the length of the year was calculated 
B)  dropping 12 days from the year that was in use before it 
C)  defining time zones for the first time in the history of the world 
D)  introducing the leap year, so that every fourth year had an extra day 
E)  allowing everyone to sleep late on Saturdays

Question 10

Which statement about the solar month and the sidereal month is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  The solar month is the same length as the sidereal month 
B)  The solar month is more than two days longer than the sidereal month 
C)  The solar month is more than two days shorter than the sidereal month 
D)  Because of the synchronous rotation of the Moon, both the solar month and the sidereal month change in length during the course of a year 
E)  The solar month is used in our calendars during the summer season, while the sidereal month is used only during the winter season
Section 4.6: Ocean Tides and the Moon 
A)  The solar month is the same length as the sidereal month 
B)  The solar month is more than two days longer than the sidereal month 
C)  The solar month is more than two days shorter than the sidereal month 
D)  Because of the synchronous rotation of the Moon, both the solar month and the sidereal month change in length during the course of a year 
E)  The solar month is used in our calendars during the summer season, while the sidereal month is used only during the winter season
Section 4.6: Ocean Tides and the Moon

Question 11

A serial killer from a strange cult only kills his victims when the Moon is full. He leaves a note on the body of his latest victim, explaining that the murder was committed when the Moon was rising. What time of day did the murder take place?

Accepted Answer

A)  roughly around sunset 
B)  roughly around sunrise 
C)  roughly about midnight 
D)  roughly around noon 
E)  we don't have enough information to answer this question 
A)  roughly around sunset 
B)  roughly around sunrise 
C)  roughly about midnight 
D)  roughly around noon 
E)  we don't have enough information to answer this question

Question 12

In what location on Earth could an eager math student NOT use her solar-powered calculator at any time at all during the course of a day in June?

Accepted Answer

A)  the North Pole 
B)  the equator 
C)  the South Pole 
D)  anywhere on the International Date Line 
E)  none of the above 
A)  the North Pole 
B)  the equator 
C)  the South Pole 
D)  anywhere on the International Date Line 
E)  none of the above

Question 13

The seven days of the week are named after:

Accepted Answer

A)  the seven phases of the Moon 
B)  the seven main constellations through which the Moon is seen to pass in the sky 
C)  the seven "wandering" objects in the Sky that were visible to the ancients 
D)  the seven time zones of the Roman Empire 
E)  seven members of Julius Ceasar's family 
A)  the seven phases of the Moon 
B)  the seven main constellations through which the Moon is seen to pass in the sky 
C)  the seven "wandering" objects in the Sky that were visible to the ancients 
D)  the seven time zones of the Roman Empire 
E)  seven members of Julius Ceasar's family

Question 14

How did the world's countries solve the problem that mean solar time varies continuously as a traveler's longitude changes?

Accepted Answer

A)  they outlawed traveling long distances 
B)  they offered a reward and thus helped spur the invention of clocks and watches that can change the time they keep as you change longitude 
C)  an international convention adopted a single time zone for the entire world, so we can all be on the same time 
D)  the world was divided into 24 time zones, with all communities within a time zone keeping the same mean standard time 
E)  you can't fool me, this problem has not been solved yet 
A)  they outlawed traveling long distances 
B)  they offered a reward and thus helped spur the invention of clocks and watches that can change the time they keep as you change longitude 
C)  an international convention adopted a single time zone for the entire world, so we can all be on the same time 
D)  the world was divided into 24 time zones, with all communities within a time zone keeping the same mean standard time 
E)  you can't fool me, this problem has not been solved yet

Question 15

The number of degrees of arc that your location is north or south of the Earth's equator is called your:

Accepted Answer

A)  latitude 
B)  longitude 
C)  declination 
D)  meridian 
E)  Yankee quotient 
A)  latitude 
B)  longitude 
C)  declination 
D)  meridian 
E)  Yankee quotient

Question 16

Taking astronomy in college ruins you for having any kind of ordinary job, so after graduation you decide to become the leader of a new religious cult. You decide to hold a big religious festival around the time that the days are shortest and the nights are longest in the United States. At what time of year will these celebrations be held?

Accepted Answer

A)  in late August 
B)  in late December 
C)  in late June 
D)  in late March 
E)  in late September
Section 4.3: Keeping Time 
A)  in late August 
B)  in late December 
C)  in late June 
D)  in late March 
E)  in late September
Section 4.3: Keeping Time

Question 17

At which of the following locations on Earth is the direction we call East not clearly defined?

Accepted Answer

A)  the latitude of Greenwich, England 
B)  the coast of the U.S. which borders on the Atlantic Ocean 
C)  the North Pole 
D)  the equator 
E)  the International Date Line 
A)  the latitude of Greenwich, England 
B)  the coast of the U.S. which borders on the Atlantic Ocean 
C)  the North Pole 
D)  the equator 
E)  the International Date Line

Question 18

Why does the Moon show phases in the course of a month?

Accepted Answer

A)  clouds get in the way of the Moon's light and cover up parts of it 
B)  the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon to different degrees as the Moon goes around 
C)  the angle the Moon makes with the Sun changes and we see differing amounts of reflected sunlight 
D)  more or less light from the Earth is reflected as the Moon turns around it 
E)  the Moon glows from the inside, and its various continents glow different amounts 
A)  clouds get in the way of the Moon's light and cover up parts of it 
B)  the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon to different degrees as the Moon goes around 
C)  the angle the Moon makes with the Sun changes and we see differing amounts of reflected sunlight 
D)  more or less light from the Earth is reflected as the Moon turns around it 
E)  the Moon glows from the inside, and its various continents glow different amounts

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the International Date Line is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  It runs through Greenwich, England 
B)  When crossing from west to east, you must decrease the date by one day 
C)  It is the only place on Earth where the standard time always equals mean solar time 
D)  The time there is measured with respect to the Moon and not the Sun 
E)  It is a telephone service for meeting single people from other countries 
A)  It runs through Greenwich, England 
B)  When crossing from west to east, you must decrease the date by one day 
C)  It is the only place on Earth where the standard time always equals mean solar time 
D)  The time there is measured with respect to the Moon and not the Sun 
E)  It is a telephone service for meeting single people from other countries

Question 20

If you could see the new moon, at what time of day (roughly) would it rise?

Accepted Answer

A)  at sunset 
B)  at about noon 
C)  at midnight 
D)  at sunrise 
E)  a new moon can rise at any time of day, depending on what part of the year we are in 
A)  at sunset 
B)  at about noon 
C)  at midnight 
D)  at sunrise 
E)  a new moon can rise at any time of day, depending on what part of the year we are in

Exam 4: Earth, Moon, and Sky

What would you have to change about the Earth to stop our planet from having significantly different seasons?

Typically, astronomers express the right ascension of a star on the sky in what units?

An eccentric billionaire wants to build a mansion in a location on Earth where the effect of the seasons is the least pronounced -- where summer and winter are not that different. Where should his personal astronomer advise him to build?

What phase of the Moon must it be to have a solar eclipse?

In Australia (in the Southern Hemisphere), when are the days the shortest and the nights the longest?

In locating objects on the celestial sphere, we call the number of degrees east or west that something is from Greenwich, England its:

From a particular location on Earth, why can we see many more total eclipses of the Moon than total eclipses of the Sun?

The Julian calendar made the significant advance of:

Which statement about the solar month and the sidereal month is correct?

A serial killer from a strange cult only kills his victims when the Moon is full. He leaves a note on the body of his latest victim, explaining that the murder was committed when the Moon was rising. What time of day did the murder take place?

In what location on Earth could an eager math student NOT use her solar-powered calculator at any time at all during the course of a day in June?

The seven days of the week are named after:

How did the world's countries solve the problem that mean solar time varies continuously as a traveler's longitude changes?

The number of degrees of arc that your location is north or south of the Earth's equator is called your:

At which of the following locations on Earth is the direction we call East not clearly defined?

Why does the Moon show phases in the course of a month?

Which of the following statements about the International Date Line is correct?

If you could see the new moon, at what time of day (roughly) would it rise?

Science and the Universe: a Brief Tour

Observing the Sky: the Birth of Astronomy

Orbits and Gravity

Radiation and Spectra

Astronomical Instruments

Other Worlds: an Introduction to the Solar System

Earth As a Planet

Cratered Worlds: the Moon and Mercury

Earthlike Planets: Venus and Mars

The Giant Planets

Rings, Moons, and Pluto

Comets and Asteroids: Debris of the Solar System

Cosmic Samples and the Origin of the Solar System

The Sun: a Garden-Variety Star

The Sun: a Nuclear Powerhouse

Analyzing Starlight

The Stars: a Celestial Census

Celestial Distances

Between the Stars

The Birth of Stars and the Discovery of Planets Outside the Solar System

Stars From Adolescence to Old Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes and Curved Space-Time

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Active Galaxies, Quasars, and Supermassive Black Holes

The Evolution and Distribution of Galaxies

The Big Bang

Life in the Universe

Filters