Which statement about the first quarter moon is FALSE?

Which statement about the first quarter moon is FALSE?

A) It occurs about a week after the new moon
B) It is the half moon of the evening sky
C) From the Earth, it appears 25% sunlit
D) It is highest in the sky at sunset
E) It rises about noon


Answer: C

The last quarter phase of the Moon:

The last quarter phase of the Moon:

A) Rises at sunset
B) Sets at sunset
C) Sets at sunrise
D) Rises at sunrise
E) Crosses the meridian at sunrise


Answer: E

While watching a star, you see it moves 15 degrees across the sky. How long have you been watching it?

While watching a star, you see it moves 15 degrees across the sky. How long have you been watching it?

A) 1 minute
B) 3 hours
C) 15 minutes
D) 15 seconds
E) 1 hour


Answer: E

You note that a particular star is directly overhead. It will be directly overhead again in:

You note that a particular star is directly overhead. It will be directly overhead again in:

A) 1 hour
B) 23 hours 56 minutes
C) 24 hours
D) 24 hours 4 minutes
E) 12 hours


Answer: B

If your astrological sign is Aries, the Sun should be in the constellation Aries on your birthday. The dates, according to astrological tradition, during which the Sun is in the constellation Aries are March 21 to April 20th. In which constellation is the Sun actually in, during this time period?

If your astrological sign is Aries, the Sun should be in the constellation Aries on your birthday. The dates, according to astrological tradition, during which the Sun is in the constellation Aries are March 21 to April 20th. In which constellation is the Sun actually in, during this time period?

A) Aquarius
B) Aries
C) Taurus
D) Gemini
E) Pisces


Answer: E

Where would you be if the Sun sets for six continuous months, beginning on September 23rd?

Where would you be if the Sun sets for six continuous months, beginning on September 23rd?

A) South Pole
B) Antarctic Circle
C) Arctic Circle
D) North Pole
E) Equator


Answer: D

Where would you be if the Sun passes through your zenith on December 21st?

Where would you be if the Sun passes through your zenith on December 21st?

A) Tropic of Cancer
B) Antarctic Circle
C) Equator
D) Tropic of Capricorn
E) South Pole


Answer: D

When the Sun rises, it is located in the constellation Gemini. When the Sun sets later that same day, it will be:

When the Sun rises, it is located in the constellation Gemini. When the Sun sets later that same day, it will be:

A) In the constellation Taurus
B) In the constellation Gemini
C) In the constellation Aries
D) In the constellation Cancer
E) In the constellation Leo


Answer: B

Which statement about the length of a day is FALSE?

Which statement about the length of a day is FALSE?

A) At the equator, every day is twelve hours long, then twelve hours of the night
B) At the North Pole, the day lasts six months, then six months of night
C) The solar day is four minutes longer than the sidereal one
D) For the United States, June 21st will be the longest day
E) The sidereal day includes both the Earth's rotation and revolution around the Sun


Answer: E

If Taurus is now rising at sunset, which constellation will rise at sunset next month?

If Taurus is now rising at sunset, which constellation will rise at sunset next month?

A) Gemini
B) Aries
C) Aquarius
D) Scorpius
E) Pisces


Answer: A

According to figure 1.15 in the textbook, in January the Sun is the constellation

According to figure 1.15 in the textbook, in January the Sun is the constellation

A) Gemini
B) Aquarius
C) Leo
D) Cancer


Answer: B

If Earth orbited the Sun in 9 months instead of 12, then, compared with a sidereal day, a solar day would be

If Earth orbited the Sun in 9 months instead of 12, then, compared with a sidereal day, a solar day would be 

A) Longer
B) Shorter
C) Unchanged


Answer: A

Which physical property of Earth gives rise to the seasons?

Which physical property of Earth gives rise to the seasons?

A) Changes in the day-night cycle
B) The variation in its distance from the Sun
C) The precession of its axis
D) The tilt of its rotation axis to the plane of its orbit


Answer: D

Night and day have approximately equal length at what time or times of the year?

Night and day have approximately equal length at what time or times of the year?

A) Summer equinox
B) Vernal and autumnal equinoxes
C) Summer solstice
D) Winter equinox
E) Winter solstice


Answer: B

Which of the following is NOT true about the astronomical feature is known as the "ecliptic"?

Which of the following is NOT true about the astronomical feature is known as the "ecliptic"?

A) It is the plane in which Earth orbits the Sun
B) It is the apparent path through the sky taken by the Sun over the course of the year
C) It is the path taken by the Moon as it orbits Earth
D) It forms a circle on the celestial sphere that is inclined at an angle of 23.5 degrees to the celestial equator
E) It passes through the constellations of the zodiac


Answer: C

From a location in the United States of America, a star is observed to be rising due East. Where will this star be located 6 hours later?

From a location in the United States of America, a star is observed to be rising due East. Where will this star be located 6 hours later?

A) Setting due West
B) High in the southern sky
C) High in the northern sky
D) Directly overhead
E) The location of the star cannot be determined from the info given


Answer: B

Which solstice or equinox?

Which solstice or equinox?

Answer: The Sun crosses the meridian 23.5 degrees lower in altitude than the celestial equator
The noontime Sun casts the longest shadows
Sunset occurs at its farthest point south of due west for the year
Winter Solstice

Which solstice or equinox?

Which solstice or equinox?

Answer: The Sun rises due east today, but will rise slightly north of due east tomorrow
Spring equinox

The celestial sphere appears to move fastest about the ________.

The celestial sphere appears to move fastest about the ________.

Answer: Equator

About how many stars are visible on a clear, dark night with the naked eye alone?

About how many stars are visible on a clear, dark night with the naked eye alone?

A) A few thousand
B) Tens of thousands
C) Millions and millions
D) A few hundred
E) A few dozen



Answer: A