Question 1

When can Sirius, a favorite star of the Northern Hemisphere, be observed?

Accepted Answer

A)  during summer 
B)  during spring 
C)  all year long 
D)  during winter 
E)  during fall 
A)  during summer 
B)  during spring 
C)  all year long 
D)  during winter 
E)  during fall D

Question 2

Earth's rapid rotation makes its axis sweep out the shape of a cone, like a heavy top slowing down.  This motion is known as ____.

Accepted Answer

A)  momentum 
B)  precession 
C)  revolution 
D)  precision 
E)  recession 
A)  momentum 
B)  precession 
C)  revolution 
D)  precision 
E)  recession B

Question 3

Which is an example of an asterism?

Accepted Answer

A)  Andromeda 
B)  Canis Major 
C)  Ursa Major 
D)  Big Dipper 
E)  Pegasus 
A)  Andromeda 
B)  Canis Major 
C)  Ursa Major 
D)  Big Dipper 
E)  Pegasus D

Question 4

Many of the ancient astronomers applied astrology alongside astronomy, but that no longer holds true for modern astronomers. Explain why astrology is no longer considered useful to the modern scientist.

Accepted Answer

A pseudoscience is a set of beliefs that

Question 5

Why is Earth's orbit often referred to be a "nearly perfect circle" and not a true ellipse?

Accepted Answer

Earth's orbit is only very slightly elli

Question 6

The International Astronomical Union established 88 constellations that represent a defined area of the sky.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

If Earth rotated about its axis completely upright, what would we fail to experience?

Accepted Answer

A)  holidays 
B)  seasons 
C)  weather 
D)  day and night 
E)  a 365 day year 
A)  holidays 
B)  seasons 
C)  weather 
D)  day and night 
E)  a 365 day year

Question 8

The Sky Around You - Page 18 (For the following questions)
Review the accompanying figure and identify point B.

Accepted Answer

A)  zenith 
B)  north point 
C)  celestial equator 
D)  south celestial pole 
E)  north celestial pole 
A)  zenith 
B)  north point 
C)  celestial equator 
D)  south celestial pole 
E)  north celestial pole

Question 9

Why is the term  "arc" used to describe units of measure for angular distance?

Accepted Answer

A)  To avoid confusion with the minutes and seconds of time 
B)  To describe the arc-shaped distance between the stars 
C)  To distinguish the base unit of 10 per degree 
D)  To distinguish the difference between northern and southern spheres 
E)  To describe the placement of the stars within each hemisphere 
A)  To avoid confusion with the minutes and seconds of time 
B)  To describe the arc-shaped distance between the stars 
C)  To distinguish the base unit of 10 per degree 
D)  To distinguish the difference between northern and southern spheres 
E)  To describe the placement of the stars within each hemisphere

Question 10

Describe the magnitude scale and compare the ancient method to the current methodology used today.

Accepted Answer

Astronomers describe the brightness of s

Question 11

What is the apparent path of the Sun against the background of stars?

Accepted Answer

A)  ecliptic 
B)  zenith 
C)  nadir 
D)  elliptic 
E)  shadow 
A)  ecliptic 
B)  zenith 
C)  nadir 
D)  elliptic 
E)  shadow

Question 12

What is the name of constellations that appear to never rise or set?

Accepted Answer

A)  polar constellations 
B)  circumference constellations 
C)  circular constellations 
D)  celestial polar constellations 
E)  circumpolar constellations 
A)  polar constellations 
B)  circumference constellations 
C)  circular constellations 
D)  celestial polar constellations 
E)  circumpolar constellations

Question 13

Flux is a measure of the light energy from a star that hits a collecting area of one square meter in one second.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

If star A is 14.5 times brighter than star B, then what is their magnitude difference?

Accepted Answer

A)  1.2 
B)  2.9 
C)  63.1 
D)  800 
E)  6.2 x 105 
A)  1.2 
B)  2.9 
C)  63.1 
D)  800 
E)  6.2 x 105

Question 15

The nadir marks the point of the celestial sphere directly above your head.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which is an asterism of Pegasus?

Accepted Answer

A)  Great Square 
B)  Orion 
C)  Andromeda 
D)  Scorpio 
E)  Cassiopeia 
A)  Great Square 
B)  Orion 
C)  Andromeda 
D)  Scorpio 
E)  Cassiopeia

Question 17

What was the purpose of the IAU establishing 88 official constellations?

Accepted Answer

A)  To allow ancient stories of each constellation to be preserved 
B)  To name all constellations the same across any culture 
C)  To identify which constellation was created by which culture 
D)  To define boundaries for constellations including every part of the sky 
E)  To include additional, fainter stars within a constellation 
A)  To allow ancient stories of each constellation to be preserved 
B)  To name all constellations the same across any culture 
C)  To identify which constellation was created by which culture 
D)  To define boundaries for constellations including every part of the sky 
E)  To include additional, fainter stars within a constellation

Question 18

Even though modern astronomers know that stars are scattered through space at different distances, they still use what scientific model to describe celestial locations in the sky?

Accepted Answer

A)  apparent visual magnitude 
B)  Copernican revolution 
C)  celestial sphere 
D)  scientific orb 
E)  planetarium dome 
A)  apparent visual magnitude 
B)  Copernican revolution 
C)  celestial sphere 
D)  scientific orb 
E)  planetarium dome

Question 19

What did the IAU establish in 1928?

Accepted Answer

A)  The IAU classified Pluto as a dwarf planet. 
B)  The IAU published official names of all constellations. 
C)  The IAU recorded 88 constellations with defined boundaries. 
D)  The IAU recognized additional orbiting bodies in the Kuiper Belt. 
E)  The IAU recorded all the mythologies associated with 88 constellations. 
A)  The IAU classified Pluto as a dwarf planet. 
B)  The IAU published official names of all constellations. 
C)  The IAU recorded 88 constellations with defined boundaries. 
D)  The IAU recognized additional orbiting bodies in the Kuiper Belt. 
E)  The IAU recorded all the mythologies associated with 88 constellations.

Question 20

Betelgeuse is the brightest star of which constellation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Orion 
B)  Ursa Minor 
C)  Ursa Major 
D)  Southern Cross 
E)  Cassiopeia 
A)  Orion 
B)  Ursa Minor 
C)  Ursa Major 
D)  Southern Cross 
E)  Cassiopeia

Exam 2: A Users Guide to the Sky

When can Sirius, a favorite star of the Northern Hemisphere, be observed?

Earth's rapid rotation makes its axis sweep out the shape of a cone, like a heavy top slowing down. This motion is known as ____.

Which is an example of an asterism?

Many of the ancient astronomers applied astrology alongside astronomy, but that no longer holds true for modern astronomers. Explain why astrology is no longer considered useful to the modern scientist.

Why is Earth's orbit often referred to be a "nearly perfect circle" and not a true ellipse?

The International Astronomical Union established 88 constellations that represent a defined area of the sky.

If Earth rotated about its axis completely upright, what would we fail to experience?

The Sky Around You - Page 18 (For the following questions) Review the accompanying figure and identify point B.

Why is the term "arc" used to describe units of measure for angular distance?

Describe the magnitude scale and compare the ancient method to the current methodology used today.

What is the apparent path of the Sun against the background of stars?

What is the name of constellations that appear to never rise or set?

Flux is a measure of the light energy from a star that hits a collecting area of one square meter in one second.

If star A is 14.5 times brighter than star B, then what is their magnitude difference?

The nadir marks the point of the celestial sphere directly above your head.

Which is an asterism of Pegasus?

What was the purpose of the IAU establishing 88 official constellations?

Even though modern astronomers know that stars are scattered through space at different distances, they still use what scientific model to describe celestial locations in the sky?

What did the IAU establish in 1928?

Betelgeuse is the brightest star of which constellation?

Here and Now

Moon Phases and Eclipses

Origins of Modern Astronomy

Gravity

Light and Telescopes

Atoms and Spectra

The Sun

The Family of Stars

The Interstellar Medium

Formation and Structure of Stars

Stellar Evolution

Deaths of Stars

Neutron Stars and Black Holes

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Supermassive Black Holes and Active Galaxies

Modern Cosmology

Astrobiology

Earth- the Active Planet

The Moon and Mercury

Venus and Mars

Jupiter and Saturn

Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and the Kuiper Belt

Meteorites, Asteroids, and Comets

Astrobiology

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