1. Chapter 2: Discovering the Universe for Yourself
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2. The sky is divided into 88 zones called:
Degrees
Tropics
Constellations
Signs
Answer: c) Constellations
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3. The sky is divided into 88 zones called:
Degrees
Tropics
Constellations
Signs
Answer: c) Constellations
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4. A map of the entire sky is called:
A meridian
A sky finder
The celestial sphere
The galactic directory
Answer: c) The celestial sphere
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5. A map of the entire sky is called:
A meridian
A sky finder
The celestial sphere
The galactic directory
Answer: c) The celestial sphere
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6. Objects are located on the celestial sphere in units of:
Miles
Kilometers
Light years
Parsecs
Degrees
Answer: e) Degrees
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7. Objects are located on the celestial sphere in units of:
Miles
Kilometers
Light years
Parsecs
Degrees
Answer: e) Degrees
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8. The angular size of your fist, held at arms length, is about:
1 degree
10 degrees
5 inches
10 inches
Answer: b) 10 degrees
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9. The angular size of your fist, held at arms length, is about:
1 degree
10 degrees
5 inches
10 inches
Answer: b) 10 degrees
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10. When an astronomer describes the altitude of something in the local sky, he or she means:
How high above the horizon something is in the sky, in units of miles or kilometers
How high above the horizon something is in the sky, in units of degrees
The direction toward something–such as north, south, east, or west
Answer: b) How high above the horizon something is in the sky, in units of degrees
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11. When an astronomer describes the altitude of something in the local sky, he or she means:
How high above the horizon something is in the sky, in units of miles or kilometers
How high above the horizon something is in the sky, in units of degrees
The direction toward something–such as north, south, east, or west
Answer: b) How high above the horizon something is in the sky, in units of degrees
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12. When an astronomer describes the azimuth of something in the local sky, he or she means:
How high above the horizon something is in the sky, in units of miles or kilometers
How high above the horizon something is in the sky, in units of degrees
The direction toward something–such as north, south, east, or west
Answer: c) The direction toward something–such as north, south, east, or west
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13. When an astronomer describes the azimuth of something in the local sky, he or she means:
How high above the horizon something is in the sky, in units of miles or kilometers
How high above the horizon something is in the sky, in units of degrees
The direction toward something–such as north, south, east, or west
Answer: c) The direction toward something–such as north, south, east, or west
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14. Directly above Earth's north pole, on the celestial sphere, is
The Big Dipper
Ursa Major, the great bear
The brightest star in the sky
The North Star, Polaris
C and D
Answer: d) The North Star, Polaris
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15. Directly above Earth's north pole, on the celestial sphere, is
The Big Dipper
Ursa Major, the great bear
The brightest star in the sky
The North Star, Polaris
C and D
Answer: d) The North Star, Polaris
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16. As seen from North America, stars near Polaris in the sky:
Are in the Big Dipper
Are seen only in winter
Are seen only in summer
Never set
A and D
Answer: d) Never set
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17. As seen from North America, stars near Polaris in the sky:
Are in the Big Dipper
Are seen only in winter
Are seen only in summer
Never set
A and D
Answer: d) Never set
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18. What makes Polaris a special star?
It is the brightest star in the sky
It is always directly overhead, no matter where you are
It is near the axis about which the sky turns
Its azimuth (direction) is always due north
C and D
Answer: e) C and D
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19. What makes Polaris a special star?
It is the brightest star in the sky
It is always directly overhead, no matter where you are
It is near the axis about which the sky turns
Its azimuth (direction) is always due north
C and D
Answer: e) C and D
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20. Why are different stars seen in different seasons?
The tilt of Earth's axis
Stars move during the year
As Earth orbits the Sun, we see the Sun in front of different constellations
Because that's how horoscopes work
Precession
Answer: c) As Earth orbits the Sun, we see the Sun in front of different constellations
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21. Why are different stars seen in different seasons?
The tilt of Earth's axis
Stars move during the year
As Earth orbits the Sun, we see the Sun in front of different constellations
Because that's how horoscopes work
Precession
Answer: c) As Earth orbits the Sun, we see the Sun in front of different constellations
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22. During the year, the Sun appears in front of different groups of stars
During the year, the Sun appears in front of different groups of stars. What are these called?
Circumpolar stars
Circumsolar stars
The constellations of the zodiac
The tropical constellations
Solstice stars
Answer: c) The constellations of the zodiac
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23. During the year, the Sun appears in front of different groups of stars
During the year, the Sun appears in front of different groups of stars. What are these called?
Circumpolar stars
Circumsolar stars
The constellations of the zodiac
The tropical constellations
Solstice stars
Answer: c) The constellations of the zodiac
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24. Why are the Moon and planets seen only in the constellations of the zodiac?
The planets all revolve in the same direction around the Sun
The planets all orbit in nearly the same plane, and the zodiacal constellations are in that plane.
The constellations in the zodiac are the oldest, and the planets have been known from ancient times
None of the above reasons
Answer: b) The planets all orbit in nearly the same plane, and the zodiacal constellations are in that plane.
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25. Why are the Moon and planets seen only in the constellations of the zodiac?
The planets all revolve in the same direction around the Sun
The planets all orbit in nearly the same plane, and the zodiacal constellations are in that plane.
The constellations in the zodiac are the oldest, and the planets have been known from ancient times
None of the above reasons
Answer: b) The planets all orbit in nearly the same plane, and the zodiacal constellations are in that plane.
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26. When might you see the planet Jupiter in the Big Dipper?
Summer
Winter
Only after midnight
Never
Answer: d) Never
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27. When might you see the planet Jupiter in the Big Dipper?
Summer
Winter
Only after midnight
Never
Answer: d) Never
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28. When is the Sun directly overhead at noon in North America?
March 21
June 21
July 21
Never
Answer: d) Never
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29. When is the Sun directly overhead at noon in North America?
March 21
June 21
July 21
Never
Answer: d) Never
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30. When it is summer in the United States, in Australia it is:
Winter
Summer
Spring
Fall
Answer: a) Winter
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31. When it is summer in the United States, in Australia it is:
Winter
Summer
Spring
Fall
Answer: a) Winter
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32. In summer in the northern hemisphere, what is the Sun's daily motion?
Rises in the east, sets in the west
Rises north of east, sets south of west
Rises north of east, sets north of west
Answer: c) Rises north of east, sets north of west
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33. In summer in the northern hemisphere, what is the Sun's daily motion?
Rises in the east, sets in the west
Rises north of east, sets south of west
Rises north of east, sets north of west
Answer: c) Rises north of east, sets north of west
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34. What causes the seasons?
In summer, all of Earth is closer to the Sun
In summer, the tilt of Earth's axis makes the part of Earth we are on closer to the Sun
In summer, the Sun is up for more hours
In summer, the Sun climbs higher in the sky so its rays hit the ground more directly
C and D
Answer: e) C and D
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35. What causes the seasons?
In summer, all of Earth is closer to the Sun
In summer, the tilt of Earth's axis makes the part of Earth we are on closer to the Sun
In summer, the Sun is up for more hours
In summer, the Sun climbs higher in the sky so its rays hit the ground more directly
C and D
Answer: e) C and D
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36. If the tilt of Earth's axis to its orbital plane was 40 degrees, instead of 23 ½, but its distance from the Sun remained the same, what would happen to the seasons?
They wouldn't change much
They would become less extreme–winter and summer would be more alike
They would become more extreme–winter colder and summer warmer
All of Earth would get colder
All of Earth would get warmer
Answer: c) They would become more extreme–winter colder and summer warmer
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37. If the tilt of Earth's axis to its orbital plane was 40 degrees, instead of 23 ½, but its distance from the Sun remained the same, what would happen to the seasons?
They wouldn't change much
They would become less extreme–winter and summer would be more alike
They would become more extreme–winter colder and summer warmer
All of Earth would get colder
All of Earth would get warmer
Answer: c) They would become more extreme–winter colder and summer warmer
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38. Why is it generally warmer a month or so after the summer solstice than it is on the solstice itself?
It takes time for the Earth to warm up and cool down.
The Sun is at a more direct angle overhead a month after the solstice.
The days are longer a month after the solstice.
It is not, the summer solstice is the hottest time of the year.
Answer: a) It takes time for the Earth to warm up and cool down.
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39. Why is it generally warmer a month or so after the summer solstice than it is on the solstice itself?
It takes time for the Earth to warm up and cool down.
The Sun is at a more direct angle overhead a month after the solstice.
The days are longer a month after the solstice.
It is not, the summer solstice is the hottest time of the year.
Answer: a) It takes time for the Earth to warm up and cool down.
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40. The full moon rises at approximately:
Midnight
Sunset
Sunrise
9 or 10 p.m.
It rises at different times during the year
Answer: b) Sunset
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41. The full moon rises at approximately:
Midnight
Sunset
Sunrise
9 or 10 p.m.
It rises at different times during the year
Answer: b) Sunset
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42. If you were on the Moon, Earth would
Show no phases
Show phases the same as the moon (when it is full Moon it is full Earth, etc.)
Show phases opposite to the Moon (when it is full Moon it is new Earth, etc.)
Make a sketch to decide!
Answer: c) Show phases opposite to the Moon (when it is full Moon it is new Earth, etc.)
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43. If you were on the Moon, Earth would
Show no phases
Show phases the same as the moon (when it is full Moon it is full Earth, etc.)
Show phases opposite to the Moon (when it is full Moon it is new Earth, etc.)
Make a sketch to decide!
Answer: c) Show phases opposite to the Moon (when it is full Moon it is new Earth, etc.)
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44. Suppose that the Moon was a cube, but everything else was the same–it kept one side facing Earth as it orbited. What would its phases be like?
It would not have phases
The phases would be just like now
The same as now, except square: crescent square, half-square, full square, etc.
It would only show "new" and "full" phases
Make a sketch to decide!
Answer: d) It would only show "new" and "full" phases
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45. Suppose that the Moon was a cube, but everything else was the same–it kept one side facing Earth as it orbited. What would its phases be like?
It would not have phases
The phases would be just like now
The same as now, except square: crescent square, half-square, full square, etc.
It would only show "new" and "full" phases
Make a sketch to decide!
Answer: d) It would only show "new" and "full" phases
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46. Why have more people seen an eclipse of the Moon than an eclipse of the Sun?
Eclipses of the Sun are much rarer than eclipses of the Moon
The shadow of the Moon is smaller than the shadow of Earth
Anyone on the night side of Earth can see a total eclipse of the Moon
Anyone on the day side of Earth can see a total solar eclipse
B and C
Answer: e) B and C
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47. Why have more people seen an eclipse of the Moon than an eclipse of the Sun?
Eclipses of the Sun are much rarer than eclipses of the Moon
The shadow of the Moon is smaller than the shadow of Earth
Anyone on the night side of Earth can see a total eclipse of the Moon
Anyone on the day side of Earth can see a total solar eclipse
B and C
Answer: e) B and C
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48. What makes the North Star special?
It was the first star to be cataloged by ancient astronomers.
It lies close to the north celestial pole and is therefore very useful for navigation.
It is the brightest star in the entire sky.
It is the brightest star in the northern sky.
It is visible from both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Answer: b) It lies close to the north celestial pole and is therefore very useful for navigation.
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49. What makes the North Star special?
It was the first star to be cataloged by ancient astronomers.
It lies close to the north celestial pole and is therefore very useful for navigation.
It is the brightest star in the entire sky.
It is the brightest star in the northern sky.
It is visible from both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Answer: b) It lies close to the north celestial pole and is therefore very useful for navigation.
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50. If you had a very fast spaceship, you could travel to the celestial sphere in about a month.
Yes, and the NASA Voyager spacecraft has already done so.
Yes, but once such a spacecraft crosses the celestial sphere it can never return.
No, the celestial sphere is so far away that, even moving at close to the speed of light, it would take tens of thousands of years to reach.
No, the celestial sphere moves away from us at the speed of light so we can never catch up with it.
This statement doesn't make sense because the celestial sphere is a concept and not a physical object.
Answer: e) This statement doesn't make sense because the celestial sphere is a concept and not a physical object.
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51. If you had a very fast spaceship, you could travel to the celestial sphere in about a month.
Yes, and the NASA Voyager spacecraft has already done so.
Yes, but once such a spacecraft crosses the celestial sphere it can never return.
No, the celestial sphere is so far away that, even moving at close to the speed of light, it would take tens of thousands of years to reach.
No, the celestial sphere moves away from us at the speed of light so we can never catch up with it.
This statement doesn't make sense because the celestial sphere is a concept and not a physical object.
Answer: e) This statement doesn't make sense because the celestial sphere is a concept and not a physical object.
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52. I live in the United States, and during my first trip to Argentina I saw many constellations that I'd never seen before.
Yes, the skies in Argentina are notable for their clarity, therefore you can see many more stars there than in the United States.
Yes, Argentina's southern location affords us a different view of the night sky from what is visible in the United States.
No, the skies are exactly the same in both Argentina and the United States.
No, the constellations are upside down so they appear different but they are actually the same.
This might be true if the visit occurred in the winter when different constellations are visible than in the summer.
Answer: b) Yes, Argentina's southern location affords us a different view of the night sky from what is visible in the United States.
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53. I live in the United States, and during my first trip to Argentina I saw many constellations that I'd never seen before.
Yes, the skies in Argentina are notable for their clarity, therefore you can see many more stars there than in the United States.
Yes, Argentina's southern location affords us a different view of the night sky from what is visible in the United States.
No, the skies are exactly the same in both Argentina and the United States.
No, the constellations are upside down so they appear different but they are actually the same.
This might be true if the visit occurred in the winter when different constellations are visible than in the summer.
Answer: b) Yes, Argentina's southern location affords us a different view of the night sky from what is visible in the United States.
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54. Last night I saw Mars move westward through the sky in its apparent retrograde motion.
Yes, this occurs during certain times of the year when Earth overtakes Mars in its orbit.
Yes, this is a well studied phenomenon and its explanation proved a challenge to ancient astronomers.
All planets (and stars) move westward because of Earth's rotation, so this is not unusual.
No, apparent retrograde motion is only noticeable over many nights, not a single night.
No, because Mars lies further from the Sun than Earth, it does not undergo retrograde motion.
Answer: d) No, apparent retrograde motion is only noticeable over many nights, not a single night.
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55. Last night I saw Mars move westward through the sky in its apparent retrograde motion.
Yes, this occurs during certain times of the year when Earth overtakes Mars in its orbit.
Yes, this is a well studied phenomenon and its explanation proved a challenge to ancient astronomers.
All planets (and stars) move westward because of Earth's rotation, so this is not unusual.
No, apparent retrograde motion is only noticeable over many nights, not a single night.
No, because Mars lies further from the Sun than Earth, it does not undergo retrograde motion.
Answer: d) No, apparent retrograde motion is only noticeable over many nights, not a single night.
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56. If Earth's orbit were a perfect circle, we would not have seasons.
True, because Earth would be at the same distance from the Sun throughout its orbit, there would be no summer or winter.
True, it is the deviations from a circular orbit that create the seasons.
False, the seasons are due to the tilt of Earth's axis, not its distance from the Sun.
False, the poles would still be cooler than the equator and seasonal variations would therefore still exist.
False, whether circular or not, the seasons depend on the precession of Earth's axis as it orbits the Sun.
Answer: c) False, the seasons are due to the tilt of Earth's axis, not its distance from the Sun.
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57. If Earth's orbit were a perfect circle, we would not have seasons.
True, because Earth would be at the same distance from the Sun throughout its orbit, there would be no summer or winter.
True, it is the deviations from a circular orbit that create the seasons.
False, the seasons are due to the tilt of Earth's axis, not its distance from the Sun.
False, the poles would still be cooler than the equator and seasonal variations would therefore still exist.
False, whether circular or not, the seasons depend on the precession of Earth's axis as it orbits the Sun.
Answer: c) False, the seasons are due to the tilt of Earth's axis, not its distance from the Sun.
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58. Because of precession, someday it will be summer everywhere on Earth at the same time.
Yes, precession will naturally circularize Earth's orbit.
Yes, precession will eventually reduce Earth's axis tilt.
Yes, precession will make summers occur at the same time, but in what is now the northern spring and southern fall.
Yes, but it would take tens of thousands of years, longer than current human history, for this to occur.
No, precession only changes the direction in which the North Pole points, and has nothing to do with the seasons.
Answer: e) No, precession only changes the direction in which the North Pole points, and has nothing to do with the seasons.
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59. Because of precession, someday it will be summer everywhere on Earth at the same time.
Yes, precession will naturally circularize Earth's orbit.
Yes, precession will eventually reduce Earth's axis tilt.
Yes, precession will make summers occur at the same time, but in what is now the northern spring and southern fall.
Yes, but it would take tens of thousands of years, longer than current human history, for this to occur.
No, precession only changes the direction in which the North Pole points, and has nothing to do with the seasons.
Answer: e) No, precession only changes the direction in which the North Pole points, and has nothing to do with the seasons.
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