Question 1

An imaginary surface in space that surrounds Earth is referred to by astronomers as the

Accepted Answer

The imaginary surface in space that surrounds Earth and that is commonly used by astronomers is the celestial sphere. This sphere is an imaginary dome-shaped surface that appears to surround the Earth, and it is used as a reference point for measuring the positions of celestial objects. The celestial sphere is divided into various important reference points and lines, such as the celestial equator and the ecliptic plane, but the sphere as a whole is referred to as the celestial sphere.

Question 2

A(n) _________ is a closed path in space that one object takes around another object, whereas a(n) _________ is a complete orbit of one object around another object.

Accepted Answer

An orbit is a complete path an object takes around another object, while a revolution is a closed path. Therefore, the correct answer is C- orbit for a complete orbit and revolution for a closed path. The other options are not related to the given definitions.

Question 3

Astronomers describe the _________ as all of space and all the celestial bodies within it.

Accepted Answer

The term "Universe" refers to everything in space, all the celestial bodies like stars, planets, galaxies, and other forms of matter and energy. The other choices - Sun, planets, and solar system - only describe specific parts within the universe.

Question 4

The ecliptic plane doesn't lie parallel to the celestial equator because Earth's axis of rotation has a _________ tilt relative to the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun.

Accepted Answer

The ecliptic plane is defined as the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun. Since Earth's axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of 23.5° relative to the perpendicular to the plane of Earth's orbit, the ecliptic plane is tilted at the same angle relative to the celestial equator. Therefore, the correct answer is C).

Question 5

After examining the Ptolemy model, Nicolaus Copernicus published a book on his deathbed arguing against Ptolemy's epicycles, stating that they could not be real. The Copernicus model later became known as the _________ model.

Accepted Answer

Copernicus' model proposed that the sun was at the center of the universe, which was a radical departure from the geocentric model proposed by Ptolemy. Therefore, the correct choice is heliocentric.

Question 6

Planets will sometimes follow a loop that takes the path of the planet a short distance backward from west to east across the sky relative to the stars. This movement is called _________ motion.

Accepted Answer

Retrograde motion is the motion of a planet as it appears to move in the opposite direction to the other celestial bodies in the sky. It is caused by the difference in orbital speeds and distances between Earth and the other planets.

Question 7

What problem with the geocentric model led Ptolemy to invent epicycles?

Accepted Answer

Retrograde motion refers to the apparent backwards motion of planets in the sky. This was a problem for the geocentric model (which had all celestial bodies orbiting the Earth) because it didn't fit with the idea that all motion in the universe should be uniform and circular. Ptolemy invented epicycles to try and explain this phenomenon.

Question 8

Compared with the orientations of the orbital planes of other planets, Earth's _________ contains the _________ of Earth's orbit.

Accepted Answer

The ecliptic plane is the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun, and the path it traces is an ellipse.

Question 9

Planets move from east to west across Earth's sky. This movement is called _________ motion.

Accepted Answer

Prograde motion is the normal east to west movement of planets across the sky as observed from Earth.

Question 10

The zodiac is the set of _________ constellations that lie along Earth's _________ plane.

Accepted Answer

The zodiac consists of 12 constellations that lie along Earth's ecliptic plane, which is the plane of the Sun's apparent path across the sky throughout the year. Each of these constellations corresponds to one of the 12 zodiac signs that are commonly used in astrology.

Question 11

Identify the perihelion, the ellipse focus, the ellipse center, and the aphelion in the diagram below.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify the perihelion, the ellipse focus, the...

Question 12

Ancient observers could identify a specific location in the night sky by

Accepted Answer

Ancient observers could identify a specific location in the night sky by recognizing patterns called constellations, which are groupings of stars that form recognizable shapes or patterns. These constellations were used as landmarks to navigate and keep track of time.

Question 13

Sir Isaac Newton, a major contributor to modern science, proposed the three laws of motion and the law of gravity. Which of the following best describes his law of gravity?

Accepted Answer

Newton's law of gravity states that every object in the Universe attracts every other object with a force that is directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the distance between them. This law explains the force of gravity that keeps planets in orbit around the sun and causes objects to fall towards Earth.

Question 14

Based on Kepler's first and second laws, Earth moves _________ in its orbit when it is at _________.

Accepted Answer

Kepler's first law states that planets orbit in an ellipse, with the Sun at one focus. This means that the distance between the Earth and Sun changes as Earth orbits. Kepler's second law states that a planet moves fastest at perihelion (the point of closest approach to the Sun) and slowest at aphelion (the point farthest from the Sun). Therefore, Earth moves faster in its orbit when it is at perihelion, and slower when it is at aphelion.

Question 15

An astronomer would determine an ecliptic plane's location on the celestial sphere by

Accepted Answer

An astronomer would draw a line from the object to the center of the Earth to determine the point where the line pierces the celestial sphere and represents the object's position. The intersection of this line with the celestial sphere indicates the object's position on the sphere. The ecliptic plane is the imaginary plane that represents the path of the sun across the sky as observed from Earth, and it is determined by the location of the Earth in its orbit around the sun. So, the astronomer will locate the ecliptic plane by determining the positions of the sun on the celestial sphere at different times of the year.

Question 16

Kepler's third law of planetary motion states that the square of a planet's orbital period is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of the orbit. Put simply, planets _________ from the Sun have _________ orbital periods, and we can calculate a planet's orbital period if we know the dimensions of its orbit.

Accepted Answer

According to Kepler's third law, planets farther from the Sun have longer orbital periods. This is because the gravitational pull of the Sun weakens with distance, so planets must travel at slower speeds to maintain their orbits. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

Question 17

Describe the positions of Earth, its moon, and the Sun during a solar eclipse.

Accepted Answer

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the light of the Sun from reaching the surface of the Earth. So, during a solar eclipse, the Earth is in the middle, the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and the Sun is on the opposite side of the Moon.

Question 18

The North Star, referred to as _________, earned its name because it is positioned directly above the _________ pole.

Accepted Answer

The North Star is known as Polaris, and it got its name because it is situated directly over the North Pole.

Question 19

In relationship to Earth's orbit, the ecliptic plane can be visualized as a(n) _________ surface that contains the _________.

Accepted Answer

The ecliptic plane is an imaginary surface that contains the ellipse of Earth's orbit around the Sun.

Question 20

With _________ height above Earth's suface, the horizon appears _________ and the visible area of Earth increases.

Accepted Answer

As the height above Earth's surface increases, the horizon appears farther and the visible area of Earth increases. This is because as we move higher, we can see more of the Earth's surface and the horizon appears farther away.

Quiz 21: Our Solar System and Beyond

An imaginary surface in space that surrounds Earth is referred to by astronomers as the

A(n) _ is a closed path in space that one object takes around another object, whereas a(n) _ is a complete orbit of one object around another object.

Astronomers describe the _________ as all of space and all the celestial bodies within it.

The ecliptic plane doesn't lie parallel to the celestial equator because Earth's axis of rotation has a _________ tilt relative to the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun.

After examining the Ptolemy model, Nicolaus Copernicus published a book on his deathbed arguing against Ptolemy's epicycles, stating that they could not be real. The Copernicus model later became known as the _________ model.

Planets will sometimes follow a loop that takes the path of the planet a short distance backward from west to east across the sky relative to the stars. This movement is called _________ motion.

What problem with the geocentric model led Ptolemy to invent epicycles?

Compared with the orientations of the orbital planes of other planets, Earth's _ contains the _ of Earth's orbit.

Planets move from east to west across Earth's sky. This movement is called _________ motion.

The zodiac is the set of _ constellations that lie along Earth's _ plane.

Identify the perihelion, the ellipse focus, the ellipse center, and the aphelion in the diagram below.

Ancient observers could identify a specific location in the night sky by

Sir Isaac Newton, a major contributor to modern science, proposed the three laws of motion and the law of gravity. Which of the following best describes his law of gravity?

Based on Kepler's first and second laws, Earth moves _ in its orbit when it is at _.

An astronomer would determine an ecliptic plane's location on the celestial sphere by

Describe the positions of Earth, its moon, and the Sun during a solar eclipse.

The North Star, referred to as _, earned its name because it is positioned directly above the _ pole.

In relationship to Earth's orbit, the ecliptic plane can be visualized as a(n) _ surface that contains the _.

With _ height above Earth's suface, the horizon appears _ and the visible area of Earth increases.