Deck 2: Patterns in the Skymotions of Earth

Question 1

At a latitude of +50°, how far above the horizon is the north celestial pole located?

A) 0°
B) 40°
C) 50°
D) 90°
E) It is not visible at that latitude.

Answer 1

50°

Question 2

A person who lives at the equator will see the Sun directly overhead at noon every day of the year.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

When a solar eclipse occurs, the Sun lies between the Earth and Moon.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Earth revolves around the Sun in the same direction Earth spins about its axis.

Question 5

If a star rises due east on the horizon, it will set due west on the horizon six hours later.

Question 6

There are _________ constellations in the entire sky.

A) 12
B) 13
C) 88
D) hundreds of
E) thousands of

Question 7

When a solar eclipse occurs, typically more people will witness it as a partial eclipse than as a total eclipse.

Question 8

The meridian is half of an imaginary circle in the sky that passes through an observer's zenith and both celestial poles.

Question 9

Constellations are arbitrary groupings of stars in the sky.

Question 10

When in the New Moon phase, the moon will be visible in the eastern sky at sunrise.

Question 11

The fact that we always see the same side of the Moon indicates that the Moon does not rotate about an axis.

Question 12

Locations along the equator are the only place on Earth where you can see the entire celestial sphere (during the day or night) over the course of 24 hours.

Question 13

At what latitude is the north celestial pole located at your zenith?

A) "0°"
B) "+30°"
C) "+60°"
D) "+90°"
E) "This occurs at every latitude."

Question 14

The altitude of the Sun as it crosses the meridian changes during the year.

Question 15

On the autumnal equinox, the lengths of both day and night are 12 hours.

Question 16

What defines the location of the equator on Earth?

A) the axis around which Earth rotates
B) where the ground is the warmest
C) the tilt of Earth's rotational axis relative to its orbit around the Sun
D) the orbit of Earth around the Sun
E) all of the above

Question 17

If the star Polaris has an altitude of 35°, then we know that:

A) our longitude is +55°
B) our latitude is +55°
C) our longitude is -35°
D) our longitude is +35°
E) our latitude is +35°

Question 18

The seasons on Earth are caused by the change in distance between the Sun and Earth.

Question 19

For an observer in the Northern Hemisphere, as he or she looks north, stars travel in a clockwise direction around the north celestial pole over the course of the night.

Question 20

The longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere occurs on the summer solstice.

Question 21

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

A) meridian
B) celestial pole
C) nadir
D) circumpolar plane
E) zenith

Question 22

A friend takes a time-lapse picture of the sky, as shown below. What direction must your friend have been facing when the picture was taken?

A) north
B) east
C) south
D) west
E) directly overhead

Question 23

You and a friend go outside to view the stars at midnight tonight. Six months later, you go outside to find the stars in exactly the same position in the sky as when you and your friend viewed them. What time is it? Assume you can see the stars at any time, day or night.

A) 6 A.M.
B) noon
C) 6 P.M.
D) midnight
E) This can never happen.

Question 24

Figure 1

-Assume you are observing the night sky from a typical city in the United States with a latitude of +40°. Using Figure 1, which constellation of the zodiac would be nearest to the meridian at midnight in mid-September?

A) Scorpius
B) Taurus
C) Pisces
D) Aquarius
E) Leo

Question 25

What time does a third-quarter Moon rise?

A) 12 midnight
B) 12 noon
C) 3 P.M.
D) 6 A.M.
E) 6 P.M.

Question 26

For a person living in Vancouver, Canada, at latitude of +49°, the Sun will reach a maximum height above the Southern horizon on winter solstice of

A) 41.0°
B) 17.5°
C) 25.5°
D) 37.0°
E) 64.5°

Question 27

Figure 1

-Assume you are observing the night sky from a typical city in the United States with a latitude of +40°. Using Figure 1, which constellation of the zodiac would be nearest to the meridian at 6 P.M. in mid-September?

A) Scorpius
B) Taurus
C) Pisces
D) Aquarius
E) Leo

Question 28

How far away on average is the Earth from the Sun?

A) 1 light-second
B) 1 light-minute
C) 1 astronomical unit
D) 1 light-hour
E) 1 light-year

Question 29

A friend takes a time-lapse picture of the sky, as shown below. What direction must your friend have been facing when the picture was taken?

A) north
B) east
C) south
D) west
E) directly overhead

Question 30

At what latitude is the north celestial pole at your horizon?

A) "0°"
B) "+30°"
C) "+60°"
D) "+90°"
E) "This can never happen."

Question 31

No matter where you are on Earth, stars appear to rotate about a point called the:

A) zenith
B) celestial pole
C) nadir
D) meridian
E) equinox

Question 32

A friend takes a time-lapse picture of the sky, as shown below. What direction must your friend have been facing when the picture was taken?

A) north
B) east
C) south
D) west
E) directly overhead

Question 33

At which of the possible times below could the waxing gibbous moon be seen rising?

A) 3 P.M.
B) 9 A.M.
C) 11 P.M.
D) 5 A.M.
E) 8 P.M.

Question 34

The apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of a year is called the:

A) prime meridian
B) ecliptic
C) circumpolar plane
D) celestial equator
E) eclipse

Question 35

For a person who lives at a latitude of+40°, when is the Sun directly overhead at noon?

A) only on the summer solstice
B) only on the winter solstice
C) only on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes
D) never
E) always

Question 36

The meridian is defined as an imaginary circle on the sky on which lie the:

A) celestial equator and vernal equinox
B) north and south celestial poles
C) zenith and the north and south celestial poles
D) zenith and east and west directions
E) celestial equator and summer solstice

Question 37

Figure 1

-Assume you are observing the night sky from a typical city in the United States with a latitude of +40°. Using Figure 1, which constellation of the zodiac would be nearest to the meridian at 10 P.M. in mid-May?

A) Aries
B) Libra
C) Capricornus
D) Gemini
E) Sagittarius

Question 38

A friend takes a time-lapse picture of the sky, as shown below. What direction must your friend have been facing when the picture was taken?

A) north
B) east
C) south
D) west
E) directly overhead

Question 39

Using Figure 1, what time of the day or night will the zodiac constellation Gemini rise in March?

A) 2 P.M.
B) 8 P.M.
C) 2 A.M.
D) 8 A.M.
E) noon

Question 40

At what time does a full Moon rise?

A) 12 midnight
B) 12 noon
C) 6 A.M.
D) 6 P.M.
E) 3 P.M.

Question 41

Which of the following is FALSE?

A) Everyone on Earth observes the same phase of the Moon on a given night.
B) The phases of the Moon cycle with a period that is longer than its sidereal period.
C) In some phases, the Moon can be observed during the day.
D) The observed phase of the Moon changes over the course of one night.
E) A full Moon can be seen on the eastern horizon at sunset.

Question 42

The day with the smallest number of daylight hours over the course of the year for a person living in the Southern Hemisphere is the:

A) summer solstice (June 1)
B) vernal equinox (March 21)
C) winter solstice (Dec. 22)
D) autumnal equinox (Sept. 23)
E) The number of daylight hours is always the same.

Question 43

The ecliptic is defined by the motion of _________ in the sky.

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

Question 44

Earth is closest to the Sun when the Northern Hemisphere experiences:

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

Question 45

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

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

Question 46

We experience seasons because:

A) the Earth's equator is tilted relative to the plane of the solar system
B) the Earth is closer to the Sun in summer and farther from the Sun in the winter
C) the length of the day is longer in the summer and shorter in the winter
D) the Earth moves with a slower speed in its orbit during summer and faster during winter
E) one hemisphere of Earth is closer to the Sun than the other hemisphere during the summer

Question 47

Which of the following stars will be the North Star in 12,000 years?

A) Polaris
B) Deneb
C) Vega
D) Thuban
E) Sirius

Question 48

The Earth's rotational axis precesses in space and completes one revolution every:

A) 200 years
B) 1,800 years
C) 7,300 years
D) 26,000 years
E) 51,000 years

Question 49

On which day of the year does the Sun reach its northernmost point in the sky?

A) vernal equinox
B) summer solstice
C) autumnal equinox
D) winter solstice
E) The sun always reaches the same altitude.

Question 50

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

A) new phase
B) full phase
C) third-quarter phase
D) first-quarter phase
E) waxing crescent phase

Question 51

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

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

Question 52

If you go out at exactly 9 P.M. each evening over the course of one month, the position of a given star will move westward by tens of degrees. What causes this motion?

A) the Earth's rotation on its axis
B) the revolution of the Earth around the Sun
C) the revolution of the Moon around the Earth
D) the revolution of the Sun around the Earth
E) the speed of the star through space

Question 53

If there is a full moon out tonight, approximately how long from now will it be in the third-quarter phase?

A) three to four days
B) one week
C) two weeks
D) three weeks
E) one month

Question 54

During which season (in the Northern Hemisphere) could you see the Sun rising from the furthest north?

A) winter
B) spring
C) summer
D) fall
E) The Sun always rises directly in the east.

Question 55

The day with the smallest number of daylight hours over the course of the year for a person living in the Northern Hemisphere is the:

A) summer solstice (June 1)
B) vernal equinox (March 21)
C) winter solstice (Dec. 22)
D) autumnal equinox (Sept. 23)
E) The number of daylight hours is always the same.

Question 56

If a person on Earth currently views the Moon in a waxing crescent phase, in what phase would the Earth appear to a person on the Moon?

A) waxing crescent
B) waxing gibbous
C) waning gibbous
D) waning crescent
E) new

Question 57

If you see a full moon tonight, how long would you have to wait to see the next full moon?

A) 1 week
B) 2 weeks
C) 3 weeks
D) 4 weeks
E) 5 weeks

Question 58

If the Earth's axis were tilted by 5°, instead of its actual tilt, how would the seasons be different than they are currently?

A) The seasons would remain the same.
B) Summers would be warmer.
C) Winters would last longer.
D) Winters would be warmer.
E) Summers would last longer.

Question 59

In regard to the phase of the Moon, the term waxing means:

A) less than half-illuminated
B) more than half-illuminated
C) becoming smaller
D) increasing in brightness
E) decreasing in brightness

Question 60

If the Earth's axis were tilted by 35°, instead of its actual tilt, how would the seasons be different than they are currently?

A) The seasons would remain the same.
B) Summers would be colder.
C) Winters would be shorter.
D) Winters would be colder.
E) Summers would be shorter.

Question 61

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

Question 62

Figure 2
In Figure 2, at which position must the moon be located in order for a lunar eclipse to occur?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

Question 63

The position of the autumnal equinox lies at the intersection of which two great celestial circles on the celestial sphere?

Question 64

Solar and lunar eclipses are rare because:

A) the Moon's orbital plane is tipped by 5.2° relative to the plane defined by the Earth's equator
B) the Moon's orbital plane is tipped by 5.2° relative to the Earth's orbital plane
C) the Moon's orbital plane is tipped by 23.5° relative to the plane defined by the Earth's equator
D) the Moon's orbital plane is tipped by 23.5° relative to the Earth's orbital plane
E) the Moon's orbital plane is tipped by 5.2° relative to the galactic plane

Question 65

Approximately how often do lunar eclipses occur?

A) twice every year
B) three times every year
C) once per month
D) twice every 11 months
E) once every 11 years

Question 66

The Moon undergoes synchronous rotation, and as a consequence the:

A) rotational period of the Moon equals the orbital period of the Moon around the Earth
B) rotational period of the Moon equals the rotational period of the Earth
C) rotational period of the Moon equals the orbital period of the Earth around the Sun
D) orbital period of the Moon around the Earth equals the rotational period of the Earth
E) Moon does not rotate as it orbits the Earth

Question 67

If you are observing a partial solar eclipse, you must be standing in the:

A) Moon's umbra
B) Moon's penumbra
C) Earth's umbra
D) Earth's penumbra
E) Sun's umbra

Question 68

How often do leap years occur?

A) almost every 3 years
B) almost every 4 years
C) almost every 5 years
D) almost every 8 years
E) almost every 10 years

Question 69

Leap years occur because:

A) the Earth's orbital period around the Sun is decreasing
B) the Earth's orbital period is 365.24 days
C) the Gregorian calendar contains only 11 months
D) the Earth speeds up in its orbit when it comes closest to the Sun
E) a calendar month is not the same as a lunar month

Question 70

If you are lucky enough to see a total solar eclipse, you must be standing in the:

A) Moon's umbra
B) Moon's penumbra
C) Earth's umbra
D) Earth's penumbra
E) Sun's umbra

Question 71

During which lunar phase do solar eclipses occur?

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

Question 72

A partial lunar eclipse occurs when:

A) the Sun appears to go behind the Moon
B) the Moon passes through part of the Earth's shadow
C) the Moon shadows part of the Sun
D) the Earth passes through part of the Moon's shadow
E) the Moon passes through part of the Sun's shadow

Question 73

Draw a dome representing the visible sky. Label the horizon, meridian, zenith, and each of the four cardinal directions (north, east, south, and west).

Question 74

How is the observed height of Polaris above the horizon related to an observer's latitude? (Hint: Consider three cases of observers located at the equator, the North Pole, and latitude = +45°.)

Question 75

The Moon's sidereal period is 2.2 days shorter than the period during which the Moon's phases change because:

A) the Moon always keeps the same side turned toward the Earth
B) the Earth must rotate so an observer can see the Moon
C) the Moon's orbit is tilted with respect to the Earth's rotational axis
D) the Earth moves significantly in its orbit around the Sun during that time
E) the Moon's orbital speed varies

Question 76

A solar-powered spacecraft is traveling through the Moon's shadow. Which part(s), if any, of the Moon's shadow will cause the spacecraft to completely lose power?

A) umbra
B) penumbra
C) annulus
D) both umbra and penumbra
E) The spacecraft will never lose power.

Question 77

How often would we have leap years if Earth's orbital period were 365.1 days?

A) every year
B) every 2 years
C) every 4 years
D) every 10 years
E) We would not need to have leap years.

Question 78

For an observer in Seattle, Washington, which is located at latitude = +47°, what is the lowest possible altitude one might see the Sun on the meridian over the course of the year? Approximately what time of the day and year will this occur?

Question 79

On what place(s) on Earth can you stand and have the celestial equator be at the same altitude for all 360° of its circumference?

Question 80

Figure 2
In Figure 2, at which position must the moon be located in order for a solar eclipse to occur?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4