Deck 2: Users Guide to the Sky: Patterns and Cycles

Question 1

Constellation names are from _____ translated into _______, the language of science in Europe to the 19th century.

A) Greek; Latin.
B) Latin; Greek.
C) Latin; Arabic.
D) Greek; English.
E) Greek; Italian.

Answer 1

Greek; Latin.

Question 2

The ____ is the point on the celestial sphere directly above an observer who can be at any point on the Earth..

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

Answer 2

zenith

Question 3

The ____ of an object depends on the diameter of the object and the distance to the object.

A) apparent brightness
B) apparent magnitude
C) zenith
D) angular diameter
E) color

Answer 3

angular diameter

Question 4

You live at a latitude of 39 S. What is the angle between the southern horizon and the south celestial pole?

A) 45
B) 23.5
C) 39
D) 51
E) The answer depends on the day of the year.

Question 5

An observer in the Northern Hemisphere watches the sky for several hours. Due to the motion of Earth, this observer notices that the stars near the north celestial pole appear to move

A) counter clockwise around the celestial pole.
B) clockwise around the celestial pole.
C) from left to right.
D) from right to left.
E) nearly vertically upward.

Question 6

The apparent visual magnitude of a star is 7.3. This tells us that the star is

A) one of the brighter stars in the sky.
B) bright enough that it would be visible even during the day.
C) not visible with the unaided eye.
D) very far from Earth.
E) very close to Earth.

Question 7

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

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

Question 8

An observer s nadir is

A) the point directly opposite the observer s zenith.
B) the north point on the observer s horizon.
C) located at the center of Earth.
D) always located near a circumpolar constellation.
E) directly opposite the north celestial pole.

Question 9

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

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 10

A(n) __________________ is one-3,600 th of a degree.

A) precession
B) second of arc
C) minute of arc
D) nadir
E) angular diameter

Question 11

The Big Dipper is

A) a circumpolar constellation for southern hemisphere observers.
B) always on an observer s zenith.
C) an asterism.
D) only visible from the southern hemisphere.
E) a constellation.

Question 12

Precession of the rotation axis of Earth is caused by

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 13

The magnitude scale

A) originated just after the telescope was invented.
B) can be used to indicate the apparent intensity of a celestial object.
C) was devised by Galileo.
D) is no longer used today.
E) was used to determine the rate of precession.

Question 14

You live at a latitude of 28 N. What is the angle between the northern horizon and the north celestial pole?

A) 62
B) 28
C) 40
D) 23.5
E) 5

Question 15

An observer on Earth s equator would find _______

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 above are true.

Question 16

The celestial equator is

A) a line around the sky directly above Earth s equator.
B) the dividing line between the north and south celestial hemispheres.
C) the path that the sun appears to follow on the celestial sphere as Earth orbits the sun.
D) a and b.
E) a and c.

Question 17

You live at a latitude of 73 N. What is the angle between the northern horizon and the north celestial pole?

A) 73
B) 27
C) 17
D) 23.5
E) 5

Question 18

The star Vega has an apparent visual magnitude of 0.03 and the star HR 4374 has an apparent visual magnitude of 4.87. It has been determined that both stars are at the same distance from Earth. What does this information tell us about the two stars?

A) Vega must be closer to Earth than HR 4374.
B) Vega must be farther from Earth than HR 4374.
C) Vega must produce less energy/second than HR 4374.
D) Vega must produce more energy/second than HR 4374.
E) Vega will appear fainter to us than HR 4374.

Question 19

You live at a latitude of 16 S. What is the angle between the southern horizon and the south celestial pole?

A) 74
B) 164
C) 16
D) 23.5
E) 5

Question 20

Most star names, such as Aldebaran and Betelgeuse, are in __________.

A) Latin.
B) Greek.
C) Arabic.
D) English.
E) Italian.

Question 21

Star A has an apparent visual magnitude of 13.4 and star B has an apparent visual magnitude of 15.4. Star A is ____ than star B.

A) 2 times fainter
B) 2 times brighter
C) 6.3 times fainter
D) 6.3 times brighter
E) 29.8 times fainter

Question 22

What is the approximate latitude of the observer in the diagram below?

A) 90 N
B) 90 S
C) 50 N
D) 50 S
E) 0

Question 23

An observer in the Southern 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?

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

Question 24

Table 2-1

Refer to Table 2-1. Based on the information in the table, what is the ratio of the intensity of Dra to that of Nim?

A) 2.512
B) 5
C) 8.07
D) 11.14
E) 100

Question 25

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?

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

Question 26

What is the approximate latitude of the observer in the diagram below?

A) 20 N
B) 20 S
C) 70 N
D) 70 S
E) 0

Question 27

You live at a latitude of 39 S. What is the angle between the southern horizon and the south celestial pole?

A) 45
B) 23.5
C) 39
D) 51
E) The answer depends on the day of the year.

Question 28

How much of the night sky is north of the celestial equator?

A) Less than one-half, because of the tilt of the equator to the ecliptic plane.
B) More than one-half, because of the precession of the poles.
C) Exactly one-half.
D) All of the night sky.

Question 29

Do the constellations visible in the sky at a particular time of night (say 9 pm) follow a seasonal pattern?

A) No, the same constellations are visible at 9 pm on any clear night of the year.
B) No. As the year progresses, the constellations visible at 9 pm are the same but their shapes change.
C) Yes, at 9 pm during a clearwinter 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 pm 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 30

Table 2-1

Refer to Table 2-1. Which star in the table would not be visible to the unaided eye of an observer on Earth?

A) a Cet
B) a Cma
C) Nim
D) r Per
E) d Dra

Question 31

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?

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

Question 32

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

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 33

If you point toward the zenith right now and then point there again 6 hours later, you will have pointed twice in the same direction relative to

A) your horizon.
B) the Sun.
C) the Moon.
D) the fixed stars.

Question 34

Polaris is a second magnitude star, and Phi Pegasi is about 16 times fainter than Polaris. What is the approximate magnitude of Phi Pegasi?

A) 18
B) - 14
C) 3
D) - 3
E) 5

Question 35

Table 2-1

Refer to Table 2-1. Which star in the table would appear the brightest to an observer on Earth?

A) a Cet
B) a CMa
C) Nim
D) r Per
E) d Dra

Question 36

An observer in the Southern 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?

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

Question 37

If the north celestial pole appears on your horizon, what is your latitude?

A) 90 N
B) 90 S
C) 0
D) 45 N
E) The latitude of the observer can not be determined from the information given.

Question 38

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?

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

Question 39

An observer in the Southern 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?

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

Question 40

If an observer walks north toward increasing latitude, the number of circumpolar stars would

A) remain constant.
B) decrease.
C) increase.
D) Unknown unless you also state the longitude of the observer.

Question 41

The diagram below shows three approximate locations of the sun along the western horizon. Which number indicates the location of the sun at sunset on June 21 for an observer at a latitude of 77 N?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) The sun will not rise for an observer in the northern hemisphere.
E) The sun will not set on June 21 at this latitude.

Question 42

The diagram below shows three approximate locations of the sun along the western horizon. Which number indicates the location of the sun at sunset on December 21st for an observer at latitude 48 N?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) The sun will set in the east.
E) The sun will not set on December 21st at this latitude.

Question 43

The sun moves

A) about one degree westward each day.
B) about one degree eastward each day.
C) about 360 degrees westward each day.
D) about 360 degrees eastward each day.
E) along the celestial equator.

Question 44

The _____________ is 18 years and 11 1/3 days long.

A) sidereal period
B) synodic period
C) eclipse season
D) saros cycle
E) eclipse year

Question 45

If perihelion of Earth were noticeably closer to the sun than is currently the case, what would be the probable affect on the climate of the Southern Hemisphere?

A) Their winter season would be much colder than present.
B) Their winter season would be much warmer than present.
C) Their summer season would be much colder than present.
D) Their summer season would be much warmer than present.
E) Their would be no change in any of their seasonal temperatures.

Question 46

At what two celestial locations do the celestial equator and ecliptic coincide?

A) winter solstice and summer solstice
B) vernal equinox and autumnal equinox
C) they coincide at all points because they are the same.
D) north celestial pole and south celestial pole
E) zenith and east point

Question 47

The ecliptic is

A) the centerline of the zodiac.
B) the projection of Earth s orbit on the sky.
C) the apparent path of the sun around the sky.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 48

In Brazil, the longest period of daylight occurs during the month of

A) December.
B) March.
C) September.
D) June.

Question 49

If the Earth s period of rotation doubled, but the period of revolution stayed the same

A) the night would be twice as long.
B) the night would be half as long.
C) the year would be half as long.
D) the year would be twice as long.
E) the length of the day would be unchanged

Question 50

The sun is on the celestial equator at the times of the

A) vernal equinox and the summer solstice.
B) autumnal equinox and the vernal equinox.
C) summer solstice and the winter solstice.
D) autumnal equinox and the winter solstice.
E) sun is on the ecliptic and is never on the celestial equator.

Question 51

If you were standing on the Earth s equator, which of the following in the sky would pass through your zenith during the entire day (24 hours)?

A) The north celestial pole
B) The south celestial pole
C) The celestial equator
D) The nadir

Question 52

If you are standing at the Earth s North Pole, which of the following would be located at the zenith?

A) The nadir
B) The star Vega
C) The celestial equator
D) The north celestial pole

Question 53

During the month of June the north celestial pole points towards Polaris but during the month of December it points

A) just north of Polaris.
B) just south of Polaris.
C) towards the star Vega.
D) towards the star Thuban.
E) still towards Polaris.

Question 54

The diagram below shows three approximate locations of the sun along the western horizon. Which number indicates the location of the sun at sunset on June 21 for an observer at a latitude of 37 N?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) The sun will not rise for an observer in the northern hemisphere.
E) The sun will not set on June 21 at this latitude.

Question 55

Stars in the same constellation

A) probably formed at the same time.
B) must be part of the same cluster of stars in space.
C) must have been discovered at about the same time at the same location in space.
D) may actually be very different distances away from the observer and from each other.

Question 56

The diagram below shows three approximate locations of the sun along the western horizon. Which number indicates the location of the sun at sunset on autumnal equinox for an observer at a latitude of 45 N?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) The sun will set in the east for an observer in the northern hemisphere.
E) The sun will not set on autumnal equinox at this latitude.

Question 57

If the Sun passes directly overhead on at least one day per year, then

A) you are within latitude of the equator.
B) you are within latitude of the equator.
C) you must be exactly on the equator.
D) you could be anywhere because this occurs at least once per year at any location on the Earth.

Question 58

The diagram below shows three approximate locations of the sun along the western horizon. Which number indicates the location of the sun at sunset on the vernal equinox for an observer at a latitude of 48 S?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) The sun will set in the east for an observer in the southern hemisphere.
E) The sun will not set on vernal equinox at this latitude.

Question 59

Northern Hemisphere winters are colder than Northern Hemisphere summers because

A) Earth is closer to the sun during the summer than it is during the winter.
B) the snow that falls in the northern latitudes cools Earth during the winter.
C) the light from the sun shines more directly on the Northern Hemisphere during the summer.
D) the period of sunlight is longer during the summer than during the winter.
E) c and d

Question 60

If the Earth s period of rotation doubled, but the period of revolution stayed the same

A) the night would be twice as long.
B) the night would be half as long.
C) the year would be half as long.
D) the year would be twice as long.
E) the length of the day would be unchanged

Question 61

The __________ moon is visible above the eastern horizon a couple of hours before sunrise.

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

Question 62

On the vernal equinox the sun is

A) north of the celestial equator.
B) south of the celestial equator.
C) on the celestial equator and moving north with respect to the equator.
D) on the celestial equator and moving south with respect to the equator.
E) closest to the north celestial pole.

Question 63

The _______________ of the moon is the period of time for the moon to complete a cycle of the lunar phases and is approximately 29.5 days long.

A) sidereal period
B) saros cycle
C) synodic period
D) eclipse season
E) umbral period

Question 64

An eclipse season is the period of time during which the

A) moon crosses a node in its orbit.
B) sun crosses a node in the moon s orbit.
C) line of nodes crosses the moon s orbit.
D) the moon is new or full.
E) the moon is visible during the day.

Question 65

Relative to the stars, the moon moves about _________ eastward in the sky each night.

A) 1
B) 5
C) 13
D) 27.3
E) 29.5

Question 66

A solar or lunar eclipse will occur

A) when the sun is near the line of nodes of the moon and the moon is new or full.
B) any time the moon is new or full.
C) when the sun is near the solstice and the moon is new or full.
D) half way through an eclipse year.
E) when the sun is near the equinox and the moon is new or full.

Question 67

A waxing crescent moon is visible

A) near the eastern horizon just before sunrise.
B) near the eastern horizon just after sunset.
C) near the western horizon just before sunrise.
D) near the western horizon just after sunset.
E) from sunset until sunrise.

Question 68

On the autumnal equinox the sun is

A) north of the celestial equator.
B) south of the celestial equator.
C) on the celestial equator and moving north with respect to the equator.
D) on the celestial equator and moving south with respect to the equator.
E) closest to the north celestial pole.

Question 69

The sideral period of the moon

A) is about 27.32 days long.
B) is the period of time for the moon to orbit Earth once with respect to the stars.
C) is the period of time between successive eclipses at a given location on Earth.
D) is the period of time from when the moon rises until the moon rises again the next night.
E) a and b above

Question 70

A solar eclipse that occurs when the moon s umbra reaches Earth s surface is called

A) a total solar eclipse.
B) a partial solar eclipse.
C) an annular solar eclipse.
D) a penumbral solar eclipse.
E) an umbral solar eclipse.

Question 71

A lunar eclipse that occurs when the moon moves completely into Earth s umbral shadow is called

A) a total solar eclipse.
B) a partial solar eclipse.
C) an annular solar eclipse.
D) a penumbral lunar eclipse.
E) an umbral lunar eclipse.

Question 72

A(n) ___________ is a set of beliefs that appears to be based on scientific ideas, but which fails to obey the most basic rules of science.

A) theory
B) hypothesis
C) pseudoscience
D) allegory
E) scientific model

Question 73

The point in Earth s orbit where Earth is farthest from the sun is known as

A) aphelion.
B) perihelion.
C) precession.
D) the winter solstice
E) a and d

Question 74

The __________ moon is visible above the western horizon a couple of hours before sunrise.

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

Question 75

The synodic period of the moon

A) is about 27.32 days long.
B) is the period of time for the moon to orbit Earth once with respect to the stars.
C) is the period of time between successive eclipses at a given location on Earth.
D) is the period of time from when the moon rises until the moon rises again the next night.
E) none of the above

Question 76

The saros cycle

A) was used in ancient times to predict eclipses.
B) is 18 years, 11 1/3 days long.
C) comes from a Greek word that means repetition.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 77

______________ is the point in Earth s orbit where Earth is closest to the sun.

A) Aphelion
B) Perihelion
C) Precession
D) The winter solstice
E) a and d

Question 78

A solar eclipse that occurs when the moon s umbra does not reach Earth s surface is called

A) a total solar eclipse.
B) a partial solar eclipse.
C) an annular solar eclipse.
D) a penumbral solar eclipse.
E) an umbral solar eclipse.

Question 79

A third quarter moon is visible

A) near the eastern horizon just before sunrise.
B) near the eastern horizon just after sunset.
C) in the southern sky at sunrise.
D) in the southern sky at sunset.
E) from sunset until sunrise.

Question 80

The planet(s) of our solar system that are never visible to the naked eye are

A) Pluto.
B) Mercury, Neptune, and Pluto.
C) Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
D) Neptune and Pluto.
E) Mercury and Venus.