Question 1

What conditions are required for a solar eclipse?

Accepted Answer

A) The phase of the Moon can be new or full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. 
B) The phase of the Moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. 
C) The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. 
D) The phase of the Moon must be full, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. 
E) The phase of the Moon must be new, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. 
A) The phase of the Moon can be new or full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. 
B) The phase of the Moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. 
C) The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. 
D) The phase of the Moon must be full, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. 
E) The phase of the Moon must be new, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. B

Question 2

How does Earth's varying distance from the Sun affect our seasons?

Accepted Answer

A) It doesn't-Earth's orbital distance plays no significant role in the seasons. 
B) It is responsible for the fact that the seasons are opposite in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. 
C) It makes summer warmer in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere. 
D) It causes the seasons to be more extreme than they would be if the Earth's distance from the Sun were always the same. 
A) It doesn't-Earth's orbital distance plays no significant role in the seasons. 
B) It is responsible for the fact that the seasons are opposite in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. 
C) It makes summer warmer in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere. 
D) It causes the seasons to be more extreme than they would be if the Earth's distance from the Sun were always the same. A

Question 3

What conditions are required for a lunar eclipse?

Accepted Answer

A) The phase of the Moon must be full, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. 
B) The phase of the Moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. 
C) The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. 
D) The phase of the Moon can be new or full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. 
E) The phase of the Moon must be new, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. 
A) The phase of the Moon must be full, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. 
B) The phase of the Moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. 
C) The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. 
D) The phase of the Moon can be new or full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun. 
E) The phase of the Moon must be new, and the Moon's orbital plane must lie in the ecliptic. C

Question 4

If we have a new moon today, when we will have the next full moon?

Accepted Answer

A) in about 6 months 
B) in about 1 week 
C) in about 2 weeks 
D) in about 1 month 
A) in about 6 months 
B) in about 1 week 
C) in about 2 weeks 
D) in about 1 month

Question 5

When are eclipse seasons?

Accepted Answer

A) during an eclipse 
B) when Earth, the Sun, and the Moon are exactly aligned for an eclipse 
C) in the summer and winter 
D) in the spring and fall 
E) when the nodes of the Moon's orbit are nearly aligned with the Sun 
A) during an eclipse 
B) when Earth, the Sun, and the Moon are exactly aligned for an eclipse 
C) in the summer and winter 
D) in the spring and fall 
E) when the nodes of the Moon's orbit are nearly aligned with the Sun

Question 6

You observe a full moon rising at sunset. What will you see at midnight?

Accepted Answer

A) a third quarter moon 
B) a first quarter moon 
C) a waning gibbous moon 
D) a full moon high in the sky 
A) a third quarter moon 
B) a first quarter moon 
C) a waning gibbous moon 
D) a full moon high in the sky

Question 7

If you lived on the Moon, you'd see full Earth when we see new moon.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

If Earth's axis had no tilt, would we still have seasons? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

We would no longer have seasons, because

Question 9

If the Moon is 3rd quarter phase, what shape does it have in the sky?

Accepted Answer

A) a half circle 
B) a full circle 
C) a quarter circle 
D) nothing (It is impossible to view a 3rd quarter moon.) 
A) a half circle 
B) a full circle 
C) a quarter circle 
D) nothing (It is impossible to view a 3rd quarter moon.)

Question 10

An angle of 1 arcsecond is .

Accepted Answer

A) less than the thickness of a human hair held at arm's length 
B) about the width of your fist held at arm's length 
C) about the width of a finger held at arm's length 
D) slightly more than the width of a basketball held at arm's length 
A) less than the thickness of a human hair held at arm's length 
B) about the width of your fist held at arm's length 
C) about the width of a finger held at arm's length 
D) slightly more than the width of a basketball held at arm's length

Question 11

Why is it summer in the Northern Hemisphere when it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere?

Accepted Answer

A) The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun and receives more indirect sunlight. 
B) The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun and receives more direct sunlight. 
C) The Northern Hemisphere is closer to the Sun than the Southern Hemisphere. 
D) The Northern Hemisphere is "on top" of Earth and therefore receives more sunlight. 
E) It isn't; both hemispheres have the same seasons at the same time. 
A) The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun and receives more indirect sunlight. 
B) The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun and receives more direct sunlight. 
C) The Northern Hemisphere is closer to the Sun than the Southern Hemisphere. 
D) The Northern Hemisphere is "on top" of Earth and therefore receives more sunlight. 
E) It isn't; both hemispheres have the same seasons at the same time.

Question 12

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: When I looked into the dark fissure of the Milky Way with my binoculars, I saw what must have been a cluster of distant galaxies.

Accepted Answer

This statement does not make s

Question 13

If the Moon is setting at noon, the phase of the Moon must be

Accepted Answer

A) first quarter. 
B) waxing crescent. 
C) full. 
D) third quarter. 
E) waning crescent. 
A) first quarter. 
B) waxing crescent. 
C) full. 
D) third quarter. 
E) waning crescent.

Question 14

For most of history, the lack of observable stellar parallax was interpreted to mean that .

Accepted Answer

A) stars must all lie at the same distance from Earth, on the celestial sphere 
B) stars were too far away for parallax to be measured with available technology 
C) Galileo's theories of the universe were essentially correct 
D) Earth is stationary at the center of the universe 
A) stars must all lie at the same distance from Earth, on the celestial sphere 
B) stars were too far away for parallax to be measured with available technology 
C) Galileo's theories of the universe were essentially correct 
D) Earth is stationary at the center of the universe

Question 15

Orion is visible on winter evenings but not summer evenings because of

Accepted Answer

A) the location of Earth in its orbit. 
B) interference from the full moon. 
C) baseball on television. 
D) the tilt of Earth's axis. 
E) the precession of Earth's axis. 
A) the location of Earth in its orbit. 
B) interference from the full moon. 
C) baseball on television. 
D) the tilt of Earth's axis. 
E) the precession of Earth's axis.

Question 16

If it is midnight in New York, it is

Accepted Answer

A) midnight in Los Angeles. 
B) midnight everywhere. 
C) midnight in Sydney, Australia. 
D) midday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
E) daytime in Sydney, Australia. 
A) midnight in Los Angeles. 
B) midnight everywhere. 
C) midnight in Sydney, Australia. 
D) midday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
E) daytime in Sydney, Australia.

Question 17

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: Last night I saw Jupiter in the constellation Ursa Major.

Accepted Answer

This statement does not make sense becau

Question 18

Suppose Earth's axis tilt was significantly greater than its current 23.5 degrees, but Earth's rotation period and orbital period were unchanged. Which statement below would not be true?

Accepted Answer

A) The length of each season (for example, the number of days from the summer solstice to the fall equinox)would be significantly longer than it is now. 
B) Polaris would not be our North star. 
C) The region of Earth where the Sun does not rise on the winter solstice would be larger (extending farther south)than it is now. 
D) Summers and winters would be more severe (for example, hotter and colder, respectively)than they are now. 
A) The length of each season (for example, the number of days from the summer solstice to the fall equinox)would be significantly longer than it is now. 
B) Polaris would not be our North star. 
C) The region of Earth where the Sun does not rise on the winter solstice would be larger (extending farther south)than it is now. 
D) Summers and winters would be more severe (for example, hotter and colder, respectively)than they are now.

Question 19

What do we mean when we talk about the Milky Way in our sky?

Accepted Answer

A) the spiral- shaped galaxy in which we live 
B) the patchy band of light that outlines the plane of the Milky Way Galaxy as seen from Earth 
C) the whitish patch of light we see when we look toward the center of the Milky Way Galaxy 
D) the bright stars of the constellations that lie along the ecliptic in our sky 
A) the spiral- shaped galaxy in which we live 
B) the patchy band of light that outlines the plane of the Milky Way Galaxy as seen from Earth 
C) the whitish patch of light we see when we look toward the center of the Milky Way Galaxy 
D) the bright stars of the constellations that lie along the ecliptic in our sky

Question 20

Which of the following conditions must exist for a solar eclipse to occur?

Accepted Answer

A) Moon phase is new, and the Moon is passing through the Earth's orbital plane. 
B) Moon phase is full, and the Moon is passing through the Earth's orbital plane. 
C) The only condition is that the phase of the Moon must be new. 
D) The only condition is that the phase of the Moon must be full. 
A) Moon phase is new, and the Moon is passing through the Earth's orbital plane. 
B) Moon phase is full, and the Moon is passing through the Earth's orbital plane. 
C) The only condition is that the phase of the Moon must be new. 
D) The only condition is that the phase of the Moon must be full.

What conditions are required for a solar eclipse?

How does Earth's varying distance from the Sun affect our seasons?

What conditions are required for a lunar eclipse?

If we have a new moon today, when we will have the next full moon?

When are eclipse seasons?

You observe a full moon rising at sunset. What will you see at midnight?

If you lived on the Moon, you'd see full Earth when we see new moon.

If Earth's axis had no tilt, would we still have seasons? Why or why not?

If the Moon is 3rd quarter phase, what shape does it have in the sky?

An angle of 1 arcsecond is .

Why is it summer in the Northern Hemisphere when it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere?

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: When I looked into the dark fissure of the Milky Way with my binoculars, I saw what must have been a cluster of distant galaxies.

If the Moon is setting at noon, the phase of the Moon must be

For most of history, the lack of observable stellar parallax was interpreted to mean that .

Orion is visible on winter evenings but not summer evenings because of

If it is midnight in New York, it is

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: Last night I saw Jupiter in the constellation Ursa Major.

Suppose Earth's axis tilt was significantly greater than its current 23.5 degrees, but Earth's rotation period and orbital period were unchanged. Which statement below would not be true?

What do we mean when we talk about the Milky Way in our sky?

Which of the following conditions must exist for a solar eclipse to occur?

A Modern View of the Universe

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

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Exam 2: Discovering the Universe for Yourself

What conditions are required for a solar eclipse?

How does Earth's varying distance from the Sun affect our seasons?

What conditions are required for a lunar eclipse?

If we have a new moon today, when we will have the next full moon?

When are eclipse seasons?

You observe a full moon rising at sunset. What will you see at midnight?

If you lived on the Moon, you'd see full Earth when we see new moon.

If Earth's axis had no tilt, would we still have seasons? Why or why not?

If the Moon is 3rd quarter phase, what shape does it have in the sky?

An angle of 1 arcsecond is .

Why is it summer in the Northern Hemisphere when it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere?

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: When I looked into the dark fissure of the Milky Way with my binoculars, I saw what must have been a cluster of distant galaxies.

If the Moon is setting at noon, the phase of the Moon must be

For most of history, the lack of observable stellar parallax was interpreted to mean that .

Orion is visible on winter evenings but not summer evenings because of

If it is midnight in New York, it is

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: Last night I saw Jupiter in the constellation Ursa Major.

Suppose Earth's axis tilt was significantly greater than its current 23.5 degrees, but Earth's rotation period and orbital period were unchanged. Which statement below would not be true?

What do we mean when we talk about the Milky Way in our sky?

Which of the following conditions must exist for a solar eclipse to occur?

A Modern View of the Universe

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters