Question 1

The baseline used in measuring the parallax of stars is&#10;A) 1 AU&#10;B) 2 AU&#10;C) 1 parsec&#10;D) 2 parsecs

Accepted Answer

The baseline used in measuring the parallax of stars is 2 AU, which is the diameter of Earth's orbit around the Sun. This is because parallax is measured by observing a star from two opposite points in Earth's orbit, six months apart.

Question 2

The motion along the line of sight is commonly called _____.&#10;A) proper motion&#10;B) transverse velocity&#10;C) radial motion&#10;D) space motion

Accepted Answer

Radial motion refers to the movement of an object along the line of sight, either towards or away from the observer.

Question 3

This is the motion of the star with respect to the background stars:&#10;A) proper motion&#10;B) transverse velocity&#10;C) radial motion&#10;D) space motion

Accepted Answer

Proper motion refers to the observed angular movement of a star across the sky with respect to distant background stars, measured in arcseconds per year.

Question 4

The Earth-sun distance is known as a(an) ______.&#10;A) astronomical unit&#10;B) parsec&#10;C) light year&#10;D) kilometer

Accepted Answer

An astronomical unit (AU) is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun, used as a standard measurement within the solar system.

Question 5

Shifts in position of stars in the sky due to the Earth's motion are known as _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Shifts in position of stars in the...

Question 6

A parsec is about ____ light years.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A parsec is about ____ light years....

Question 7

The nearest star to the Earth is Proxima Centauri.

Accepted Answer

Proxima Centauri is the closest known star to the Sun, at a distance of about 4.24 light-years, making it the nearest star to Earth besides the Sun.

Question 8

Hipparchus used triangulation to estimate the distance to the moon.

Accepted Answer

Hipparchus, an ancient Greek astronomer, used geometric methods including triangulation to estimate the distance from the Earth to the Moon, laying foundational principles for astronomical distance measurements.

Deck 54: Surveying the Stars