Question 1

On a clear night you go outside and face south and see circumpolar stars. Then you turn and face north and you see stars rising in the east and setting in the west. Where are you located on Earth

Accepted Answer

A) equator 
B) a mid-latitude between the equator and the north pole 
C) south pole 
D) a mid-latitude between the equator and the south pole

Question 2

As Earth rotates, circumpolar stars appear to move counterclockwise around the north celestial pole.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Seen from the northern latitudes (mid-northern hemisphere), the star Polaris

Accepted Answer

A) is never above the horizon during the day. 
B) always sets directly in the west. 
C) is always above the northern horizon. 
D) is never visible during the winter. 
E) is the brightest star in the sky.

Question 4

Which of the following statements correctly describes the relationship between stars and constellations

Accepted Answer

A) Only stars close to the ecliptic (the Earth's orbital plane) are located in constellations. 
B) Every star is located in a constellation. 
C) Only the brighter stars are in constellations. 
D) Only those stars that were visible to the ancient Greeks are located in constellations.

Question 5

____________________ is a measure of the light energy that hits one square meter in one second.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ____________________ is a measure of the light...

Question 6

An observer in the Northern Hemisphere takes a time exposure photograph of the night sky. If the illustration below depicts the photograph taken by the observer, which direction was the camera pointing

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

An observer on Earth's equator would find _______

Accepted Answer

A) the celestial equator passing at 45 degrees above the northern horizon. 
B) the celestial equator passing at 45 degrees above the southern horizon. 
C) that the celestial equator coincides with the horizon. 
D) the celestial equator passing directly overhead. 
E) None of the other choices are true.

Question 8

How many constellations are on a celestial sphere How many boundaries are on a celestial sphere Are boundaries unique to a constellation or shared

Accepted Answer

The answer of How many constellations are on a celestial...

Question 9

Precession of the rotation axis of Earth takes ____ to complete a cycle.

Accepted Answer

A) 24 hours 
B) one year 
C) 260 years 
D) 26,000 years 
E) 260,000 years

Question 10

Precession of the rotation axis of Earth is caused by

Accepted Answer

A) the force of gravity from the Sun and Moon on Earth's equatorial bulge. 
B) the force of gravity from the Sun and Jupiter on the Earth-Moon system. 
C) the magnetic field of Earth. 
D) the formation and subsequent melting of glaciers during the ice-ages. 
E) the impact of asteroids.

Question 11

How is a constellation different from an asterism

Accepted Answer

The answer of How is a constellation different from an...

Question 12

Do the constellations visible in the sky at a particular time of night (say 9 P.M.) follow a seasonal pattern

Accepted Answer

A) No, the same constellations are visible at 9 P.M. on any clear night of the year. 
B) No. As the year progresses, the constellations visible at 9 P.M. are the same but their shapes change. 
C) Yes, at 9 P.M. during a clear winter night ALL of the constellations you can see are different from the ones that appear at the same time during a summer night. 
D) Yes, at 9 P.M. during a summer night most of the constellations you can see are different from those you can see on a winter night. However, there are some constellations that are visible all year long.

Question 13

An observer on Earth's equator would find

Accepted Answer

A) Polaris directly overhead. 
B) Polaris 40° above the northern horizon. 
C) Polaris on the northern horizon. 
D) the celestial equator passing directly overhead. 
E) that the ecliptic coincides with the horizon.

Question 14

The apparent visual magnitude of a star is a measure of the star's

Accepted Answer

A) size. 
B) intensity. 
C) distance. 
D) color. 
E) temperature.

Question 15

The celestial equator always crosses the horizon at the east point and west point.

Accepted Answer