Question 1

The gibbous is in the "waning" state between the:

Accepted Answer

A)  third quarter and new Moon phases. 
B)  new Moon and first quarter phases. 
C)  first and second quarter phases. 
D)  full Moon and third quarter phases. 
A)  third quarter and new Moon phases. 
B)  new Moon and first quarter phases. 
C)  first and second quarter phases. 
D)  full Moon and third quarter phases. D

Question 2

Why can a solar eclipse only occur during a new Moon?

Accepted Answer

Eclipses are caused by shadows.In order for the Moon to cast a shadow on the Earth,it must be located between the Earth and the Sun.This location configuration defines the new Moon phase.

Question 3

The direction directly overhead of an observer defines his or her:

Accepted Answer

A)  meridian. 
B)  celestial pole. 
C)  circumpolar plane. 
D)  zenith. 
A)  meridian. 
B)  celestial pole. 
C)  circumpolar plane. 
D)  zenith. D

Question 4

For an observer in Seattle,Washington,which is located at latitude = +47°,what is the minimum height above the southern horizon that the Sun will have throughout the year,and approximately when will this occur?

Accepted Answer

The Sun will be at its minimum height ab

Question 5

When the Northern Hemisphere experiences summer,the Southern Hemisphere experiences:

Accepted Answer

A)  spring. 
B)  summer. 
C)  fall. 
D)  winter. 
A)  spring. 
B)  summer. 
C)  fall. 
D)  winter.

Question 6

How might you use a lunar eclipse to estimate the relative sizes of the Earth and Moon?

Accepted Answer

Count the number of Moon diame

Question 7

Assume you are observing the night sky from a typical city in the United States at a latitude of +40°.Use the figure below to determine which constellation of the zodiac would be nearest the meridian at midnight in March.

Accepted Answer

A)  Scorpius 
B)  Gemini 
C)  Aquarius 
D)  Leo 
A)  Scorpius 
B)  Gemini 
C)  Aquarius 
D)  Leo

Question 8

Assume you are observing the night sky from a typical city in the United States at a latitude of +40°.Use the figure below to determine which constellation of the zodiac would be nearest the meridian at 6 P.M.in September.

Accepted Answer

A)  Scorpius 
B)  Gemini 
C)  Aquarius 
D)  Leo 
A)  Scorpius 
B)  Gemini 
C)  Aquarius 
D)  Leo

Question 9

On what place(s)on Earth can you stand and have the great circle of the celestial equator be at the same height relative to your horizon for all 360° of its circumference?

Accepted Answer

You can stand at eit

Question 10

If the Moon was full 3 days ago,what phase will it be tonight and when will it rise and set?

Accepted Answer

The Moon's phase cycles on a 29.5-day pe

Question 11

If tonight the Moon is in the waxing gibbous phase,in 3 days the Moon will most likely be in the:

Accepted Answer

A)  new phase. 
B)  full phase. 
C)  third quarter phase. 
D)  first quarter phase. 
A)  new phase. 
B)  full phase. 
C)  third quarter phase. 
D)  first quarter phase.

Question 12

The center of the Milky Way lies approximately 30° south of the celestial equator.From what latitudes on Earth is it impossible to view the center of our galaxy?

Accepted Answer

At latitudes greater than 90°

Question 13

The ecliptic plane is defined by the motion of ________ in the sky.

Accepted Answer

A)  the Moon 
B)  the Sun 
C)  Polaris 
D)  the stars 
A)  the Moon 
B)  the Sun 
C)  Polaris 
D)  the stars

Question 14

How does "gibbous" differ from "crescent"?

Accepted Answer

The crescent is the concave cu

Question 15

Assume you are observing the night sky from a typical city in the United States at a latitude of +40°.Use the figure below to determine which constellation of the zodiac would be rising at 10 P.M.in May.

Accepted Answer

A)  Pisces 
B)  Virgo 
C)  Gemini 
D)  Capricornus 
A)  Pisces 
B)  Virgo 
C)  Gemini 
D)  Capricornus

Question 16

What is the length of day during the equinoxes and solstices? Does it matter if you are in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere?

Accepted Answer

The equinoxes occur when the Sun is dire

Question 17

How does the appearance of the first and third quarter Moon phases differ? Why?

Accepted Answer

The pattern of illumination during the f

Question 18

If you went out tonight and looked at the sky at midnight,at what time would you have to observe 6 months from now in order to find the stars in exactly the same position in the sky? Assume that you could see the stars at any time,day or night.

Accepted Answer

A)  6 A.M. 
B)  noon 
C)  6 P.M. 
D)  midnight 
A)  6 A.M. 
B)  noon 
C)  6 P.M. 
D)  midnight

Question 19

Leap years occur because:

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth's orbital period around the Sun is decreasing. 
B)  Earth's orbital period is 365.24 days. 
C)  the Gregorian calendar contains only 11 months. 
D)  Earth speeds up in its orbit when it comes closest to the Sun. 
A)  Earth's orbital period around the Sun is decreasing. 
B)  Earth's orbital period is 365.24 days. 
C)  the Gregorian calendar contains only 11 months. 
D)  Earth speeds up in its orbit when it comes closest to the Sun.

Question 20

The shortest day of the year for a person living in the Northern Hemisphere is the:

Accepted Answer

A)  summer solstice. 
B)  vernal equinox. 
C)  winter solstice. 
D)  autumnal equinox. 
A)  summer solstice. 
B)  vernal equinox. 
C)  winter solstice. 
D)  autumnal equinox.

The gibbous is in the "waning" state between the:

Why can a solar eclipse only occur during a new Moon?

The direction directly overhead of an observer defines his or her:

For an observer in Seattle,Washington,which is located at latitude = +47°,what is the minimum height above the southern horizon that the Sun will have throughout the year,and approximately when will this occur?

When the Northern Hemisphere experiences summer,the Southern Hemisphere experiences:

How might you use a lunar eclipse to estimate the relative sizes of the Earth and Moon?

Assume you are observing the night sky from a typical city in the United States at a latitude of +40°.Use the figure below to determine which constellation of the zodiac would be nearest the meridian at midnight in March.

Assume you are observing the night sky from a typical city in the United States at a latitude of +40°.Use the figure below to determine which constellation of the zodiac would be nearest the meridian at 6 P.M.in September.

On what place(s)on Earth can you stand and have the great circle of the celestial equator be at the same height relative to your horizon for all 360° of its circumference?

If the Moon was full 3 days ago,what phase will it be tonight and when will it rise and set?

If tonight the Moon is in the waxing gibbous phase,in 3 days the Moon will most likely be in the:

The center of the Milky Way lies approximately 30° south of the celestial equator.From what latitudes on Earth is it impossible to view the center of our galaxy?

The ecliptic plane is defined by the motion of ________ in the sky.

How does "gibbous" differ from "crescent"?

Assume you are observing the night sky from a typical city in the United States at a latitude of +40°.Use the figure below to determine which constellation of the zodiac would be rising at 10 P.M.in May.

What is the length of day during the equinoxes and solstices? Does it matter if you are in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere?

How does the appearance of the first and third quarter Moon phases differ? Why?

If you went out tonight and looked at the sky at midnight,at what time would you have to observe 6 months from now in order to find the stars in exactly the same position in the sky? Assume that you could see the stars at any time,day or night.

Leap years occur because:

The shortest day of the year for a person living in the Northern Hemisphere is the:

Thinking Like an Astronomer

Laws of Motion

Light and Telescopes

The Formation of Stars and Planets

Terrestrial Worlds in the Inner Solar System

Atmospheres of Venus, earth, and Mars

The Giant Planets

Small Bodies of the Solar System

Measuring the Stars

Our Star: the Sun

Evolution of Low-Mass Stars

Evolution of High-Mass Stars

Measuring Galaxies

Our Galaxy: the Milky Way

The Evolution of the Universe

Formation of Structure

Life in the Universe

Filters

Exam 2: Patterns in the Skymotions of Earth and the Moon

The gibbous is in the "waning" state between the:

Why can a solar eclipse only occur during a new Moon?

The direction directly overhead of an observer defines his or her:

For an observer in Seattle,Washington,which is located at latitude = +47°,what is the minimum height above the southern horizon that the Sun will have throughout the year,and approximately when will this occur?

When the Northern Hemisphere experiences summer,the Southern Hemisphere experiences:

How might you use a lunar eclipse to estimate the relative sizes of the Earth and Moon?

Assume you are observing the night sky from a typical city in the United States at a latitude of +40°.Use the figure below to determine which constellation of the zodiac would be nearest the meridian at midnight in March.

Assume you are observing the night sky from a typical city in the United States at a latitude of +40°.Use the figure below to determine which constellation of the zodiac would be nearest the meridian at 6 P.M.in September.

On what place(s)on Earth can you stand and have the great circle of the celestial equator be at the same height relative to your horizon for all 360° of its circumference?

If the Moon was full 3 days ago,what phase will it be tonight and when will it rise and set?

If tonight the Moon is in the waxing gibbous phase,in 3 days the Moon will most likely be in the:

The center of the Milky Way lies approximately 30° south of the celestial equator.From what latitudes on Earth is it impossible to view the center of our galaxy?

The ecliptic plane is defined by the motion of ________ in the sky.

How does "gibbous" differ from "crescent"?

Assume you are observing the night sky from a typical city in the United States at a latitude of +40°.Use the figure below to determine which constellation of the zodiac would be rising at 10 P.M.in May.

What is the length of day during the equinoxes and solstices? Does it matter if you are in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere?

How does the appearance of the first and third quarter Moon phases differ? Why?

If you went out tonight and looked at the sky at midnight,at what time would you have to observe 6 months from now in order to find the stars in exactly the same position in the sky? Assume that you could see the stars at any time,day or night.

Leap years occur because:

The shortest day of the year for a person living in the Northern Hemisphere is the:

Thinking Like an Astronomer

Laws of Motion

Light and Telescopes

The Formation of Stars and Planets

Terrestrial Worlds in the Inner Solar System

Atmospheres of Venus, earth, and Mars

The Giant Planets

Small Bodies of the Solar System

Measuring the Stars

Our Star: the Sun

Evolution of Low-Mass Stars

Evolution of High-Mass Stars

Measuring Galaxies

Our Galaxy: the Milky Way

The Evolution of the Universe

Formation of Structure

Life in the Universe

Filters