Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

The celestial equator is an imaginary circle around the celestial sphere that is directly above the Earth's equator. It intersects the horizon at due east and due west points during the equinoxes.

Question 2

A second magnitude star in Ursa Major is brighter than a fourth magnitude star in Orion.

Accepted Answer

Second magnitude stars are brighter than fourth magnitude stars, so a second magnitude star in Ursa Major would be brighter than a fourth magnitude star in Orion.

Question 3

The ____________________ is the point on the celestial sphere directly above an observer, regardless of where the observer is located on Earth.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ____________________ is the point on the...

Question 4

Which of the following is a prominent constellation in the Canadian winter sky?
A) Taurus
B) Aquila
C) Cygnus
D) Virgo

Accepted Answer

Taurus is a prominent constellation in the Canadian winter sky, particularly in December and January. It is easily recognizable by its V-shaped cluster of stars, known as the Hyades, and the bright red star Aldebaran, which represents the eye of the bull.

Question 5

Why is the constellation Leo not visible all year from Canada?
A) Leo is in the southern celestial hemisphere.
B) Leo is on the ecliptic, so it is sometimes directly behind the Sun in the sky.
C) Leo is on the celestial equator, so it is often directly behind the Moon in the sky.
D) Leo has no stars visible to the unaided eye.

Accepted Answer

Leo is on the ecliptic, which is the path the Sun appears to take across the sky over the course of a year. Therefore, at certain times of the year, Leo will appear to be directly behind the Sun in the sky, making it invisible.

Question 6

The ____________________ period of the Moon is the time required for one revolution of the Moon around the Earth with respect to the stars.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ____________________ period of the Moon is...

Question 7

The celestial equator always passes directly overhead.

Accepted Answer

The celestial equator is an imaginary circle projected onto the celestial sphere, and its position depends on your geographic location and the time of day. It does not always pass directly overhead, as its position shifts throughout the day and night.

Question 8

The Greek letter designation conveys information about a star's location and brightness.

Accepted Answer

The Greek letter designation given to a star conveys information about its location within a particular constellation and also its relative brightness within that constellation.

Question 9

Star A has an apparent visual magnitude of 6.3 and star B has an apparent visual magnitude of 5.3. Star A is ____________________ than star B.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Star A has an apparent visual magnitude...

Question 10

Which of the following constellations is visible year-round in most of Canada?
A) Gemini
B) Libra
C) Orion
D) Cassiopeia

Accepted Answer

Cassiopeia is a circumpolar constellation for most of Canada, meaning it never sets below the horizon and is visible year-round.

Question 11

During the month of June, the north celestial pole points towards Polaris; where does it point during the month of December?
A) just south of Polaris
B) towards the star Vega
C) towards the star Thuban
D) still towards Polaris

Accepted Answer

The north celestial pole always points towards Polaris, regardless of the month, due to Earth's axial tilt being relatively constant as it orbits the Sun.

Question 12

______________ is the point in the Earth's orbit when the Earth is closest to the Sun.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ______________ is the point in the Earth's...

Question 13

The constellations were created by the Greeks.

Accepted Answer

While the Greeks were known for their contributions to astronomy, many cultures throughout history have also created their own constellations.

Question 14

The planets ____________ and _____________ are never visible near the eastern horizon at sunset.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The planets ____________ and _____________ are never...

Question 15

For a northern hemisphere observer, the _____________ ____________ Moon is visible in the south-eastern sky just after sunset.

Accepted Answer

The answer of For a northern hemisphere observer, the _____________...

Question 16

The Earth's rotation axis ____________________ slowly so that in a few thousand years Polaris will no longer be the North Star.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Earth's rotation axis ____________________ slowly so...

Question 17

A(n) ____________________ eclipse occurs when the Moon is at its greatest distance from the Earth, and the Moon is new.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A(n) ____________________ eclipse occurs when the Moon...

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

In what two seasons does the Milky Way arc from east to west in the sky, as seen from Canada?
A) winter and spring
B) spring and summer
C) summer and fall
D) fall and winter

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what two seasons does the Milky...

Question 20

In what season is the constellation of Orion most visible in Canada?
A) spring
B) summer
C) fall
D) winter

Accepted Answer

The constellation of Orion is most visible in the winter season in Canada. This is because it is a winter constellation and is high in the sky during the winter months.

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

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

A second magnitude star in Ursa Major is brighter than a fourth magnitude star in Orion.

The ____________________ is the point on the celestial sphere directly above an observer, regardless of where the observer is located on Earth.

Which of the following is a prominent constellation in the Canadian winter sky?

Why is the constellation Leo not visible all year from Canada?

The ____________________ period of the Moon is the time required for one revolution of the Moon around the Earth with respect to the stars.

The celestial equator always passes directly overhead.

The Greek letter designation conveys information about a star's location and brightness.

Star A has an apparent visual magnitude of 6.3 and star B has an apparent visual magnitude of 5.3. Star A is ____________________ than star B.

Which of the following constellations is visible year-round in most of Canada?

During the month of June, the north celestial pole points towards Polaris; where does it point during the month of December?

______________ is the point in the Earth's orbit when the Earth is closest to the Sun.

The constellations were created by the Greeks.

The planets and _ are never visible near the eastern horizon at sunset.

For a northern hemisphere observer, the _ Moon is visible in the south-eastern sky just after sunset.

The Earth's rotation axis ____________________ slowly so that in a few thousand years Polaris will no longer be the North Star.

A(n) ____________________ eclipse occurs when the Moon is at its greatest distance from the Earth, and the Moon is new.

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

In what two seasons does the Milky Way arc from east to west in the sky, as seen from Canada?

In what season is the constellation of Orion most visible in Canada?