1. Unit 8 – Astronomy Review
Regents Earth Science
Miss Wojdan

2. The highest high tides and the lowest low tides occurred when the Moon was near
Apogee and a New Moon phase
Apogee and a Full Moon phase
Perigee and a New Moon phase
Perigee and a Full Moon phase

3. The highest high tides and the lowest low tides occurred when the Moon was near
Apogee and a New Moon phase
Apogee and a Full Moon phase
Perigee and a New Moon phase
Perigee and a Full Moon phase

4. 2. Which graph best shows the general relationship between a planet’s distance from the Sun and the Sun’s gravitational attraction to the planet? A. B. C. D.

5. 2. Which graph best shows the general relationship between a planet’s distance from the Sun and the Sun’s gravitational attraction to the planet? A. B. C. D.

6. 3. Which motion causes the Coriolis Effect on Earth?
Revolution of Earth around the Sun
Rotation of Earth on its axis
Revolution of the Moon around Earth
Rotation of Moon on its axis

7. 3. Which motion causes the Coriolis Effect on Earth?
Revolution of Earth around the Sun
Rotation of Earth on its axis
Revolution of the Moon around Earth
Rotation of Moon on its axis

8. A blue shift in the light from very distant galaxies suggests that the universe is
Fixed and stationary
Moving randomly
Contracting
Expanding

9. A blue shift in the light from very distant galaxies suggests that the universe is
Fixed and stationary
Moving randomly
Contracting
Expanding

10. At what time of day is the Sun at position S?
6 a.m.
9 a.m.
3 p.m.
6 p.m.

11. At what time of day is the Sun at position S?
6 a.m.
9 a.m.
3 p.m.
6 p.m.

12. Which Moon phase is observed in New York State when the Moon is located at position F?
A. B C D.

13. Which Moon phase is observed in New York State when the Moon is located at position F?
A. B C D.

14. When a solar eclipse is viewed from Earth, the Moon must be located at orbital positionG

15. When a solar eclipse is viewed from Earth, the Moon must be located at orbital positionG

16. Compared to planet A, planet B has a
Weaker gravitational pull to the star and a shorter period of revolution
Weaker gravitational pull to the star and a longer period of revolution
Stronger gravitational pull to the star and a shorter period of revolution
Stronger gravitational pull to the star and a longer period of revolution

17. Compared to planet A, planet B has a
Weaker gravitational pull to the star and a shorter period of revolution
Weaker gravitational pull to the star and a longer period of revolution
Stronger gravitational pull to the star and a shorter period of revolution
Stronger gravitational pull to the star and a longer period of revolution

18. The number of hours from one low tide to the next low tide is approximately

19. The number of hours from one low tide to the next low tide is approximately

20. Which star has a surface temperature most similar to the surface temperature of Alpha Centauri?
Polaris
Betelgeuse
Procyon B
Sirius

21. Which star has a surface temperature most similar to the surface temperature of Alpha Centauri?
Polaris
Betelgeuse
Procyon B
Sirius

22. Which statement best explains why some constellations are not seen during all four seasons?
Earth revolves around the Sun
Earth rotates on its axis
The Moon revolves around Earth
The Sun revolves around the center of the Milky Way Galaxy

23. Which statement best explains why some constellations are not seen during all four seasons?
Earth revolves around the Sun
Earth rotates on its axis
The Moon revolves around Earth
The Sun revolves around the center of the Milky Way Galaxy

24. Ocean tides observed at coastal locations each day are primarily caused by
Earth’s revolution around the Sun
The changing phases of the Moon
The gravitational pull of the Moon on Earth
Seasonal changes in the compass direction of sunset

25. Ocean tides observed at coastal locations each day are primarily caused by
Earth’s revolution around the Sun
The changing phases of the Moon
The gravitational pull of the Moon on Earth
Seasonal changes in the compass direction of sunset

26. The terrestrial planets differ from the Jovian planets because the terrestrial planets are
Less dense and larger
Less dense and smaller
More denser and larger
More dense and smaller

27. The terrestrial planets differ from the Jovian planets because the terrestrial planets are
Less dense and larger
Less dense and smaller
More denser and larger
More dense and smaller

28. Which statement best describes and explains the apparent motion of Venus over the next few hours?
Venus will set 1 hour after the Sun because Earth rotates at 45º per hour
Venus will set 2 hours after the Sun because Venus orbits Earth faster than the Sun orbits Earth
Venus will set 3 hours after the Sun because Earth rotates at 15º per hour
Venus will set 4 hours after the Sun because Venus orbits Earth slower than the Sun orbits Earth

29. Which statement best describes and explains the apparent motion of Venus over the next few hours?
Venus will set 1 hour after the Sun because Earth rotates at 45º per hour
Venus will set 2 hours after the Sun because Venus orbits Earth faster than the Sun orbits Earth
Venus will set 3 hours after the Sun because Earth rotates at 15º per hour
Venus will set 4 hours after the Sun because Venus orbits Earth slower than the Sun orbits Earth

30. During which Northern Hemisphere season is Earth furthest from the Sun?
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer

31. During which Northern Hemisphere season is Earth furthest from the Sun?
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer

32. Which information best supports the inference that the universe began with an explosion?
Measurements of rates of decay using Carbon-14
Measurements of cosmic background radiation
Calculations of the distance from the Sun to each asteroid in the asteroid belt
Calculations of the temperature and luminosity of stars

33. Which information best supports the inference that the universe began with an explosion?
Measurements of rates of decay using Carbon-14
Measurements of cosmic background radiation
Calculations of the distance from the Sun to each asteroid in the asteroid belt
Calculations of the temperature and luminosity of stars

34. Which phase of the Moon will the observer see when the Moon is at the position shown in its orbit?
A B C D.

35. Which phase of the Moon will the observer see when the Moon is at the position shown in its orbit?
A B C D.

36. The direction of swing of a Foucault pendulum appears to change due to Earth’s
Revolution
Rotation
Spherical shape
Elliptical orbit

37. The direction of swing of a Foucault pendulum appears to change due to Earth’s
Revolution
Rotation
Spherical shape
Elliptical orbit

38. If the diagram represents our solar system and planet B is Venus, which planet is represented by planet A?
Mercury
Jupiter
Earth
Mars

39. If the diagram represents our solar system and planet B is Venus, which planet is represented by planet A?
Mercury
Jupiter
Earth
Mars

40. The modern heliocentric model of planetary motion states that the planets travel around
Earth in circular orbits
Earth in slightly elliptical orbits
The Sun in circular orbits
The Sun in slightly elliptical orbits

41. The modern heliocentric model of planetary motion states that the planets travel around
Earth in circular orbits
Earth in slightly elliptical orbits
The Sun in circular orbits
The Sun in slightly elliptical orbits

42. Which choice best represents the appearance of the Moon as viewed from New York State when the Moon is at position 1?
A B C. D.

43. Which choice best represents the appearance of the Moon as viewed from New York State when the Moon is at position 1?
A B C. D.

44. According to the Big Bang theory, which graph best represents the relationship between time and the size of the universe from the beginning of the universe to the present?
A B.
C D.

45. According to the Big Bang theory, which graph best represents the relationship between time and the size of the universe from the beginning of the universe to the present?
A B.
C D.

46. Which star is cooler and less luminous than the Sun?
Proxima Centauri
Pollux
Rigel
40 Eridani B

47. Which star is cooler and less luminous than the Sun?
Proxima Centauri
Pollux
Rigel
40 Eridani B

48. Which statement best explains why the same side of the Moon is viewed from Earth as the Moon goes through its phases?
The Moon does not rotate as it revolves around Earth
The Moon’s period of rotation equals Earth’s period of rotation
The Moon’s period of rotation equals Earth’s period of revolution around the Sun
The Moon’s period of rotation equals the Moon’s period of revolution around Earth

49. Which statement best explains why the same side of the Moon is viewed from Earth as the Moon goes through its phases?
The Moon does not rotate as it revolves around Earth
The Moon’s period of rotation equals Earth’s period of rotation
The Moon’s period of rotation equals Earth’s period of revolution around the Sun
The Moon’s period of rotation equals the Moon’s period of revolution around Earth

50. Which form of electromagnetic energy has the longest wavelength?
Ultraviolet Rays
Visible Light
Gamma Rays
Radio Waves

51. Which form of electromagnetic energy has the longest wavelength?
Ultraviolet Rays
Visible Light
Gamma Rays
Radio Waves

52. On which date will the next first-quarter Moon phase occur?
August 6
August 10
August 16
August 22

53. On which date will the next first-quarter Moon phase occur?
August 6
August 10
August 16
August 22

54. Which diagram represents the tilt of Earth’s axis relative to the Sun’s rays on December 15?
A B.
C D.

55. Which diagram represents the tilt of Earth’s axis relative to the Sun’s rays on December 15?
A B.
C D.

56. On which day of the year does the Sun reach the greatest altitude at solar noon in New York City?
June 21st
July 21st
March 21st
December 21st

57. On which day of the year does the Sun reach the greatest altitude at solar noon in New York City?
June 21st
July 21st
March 21st
December 21st

58. Which type of land surface will most likely absorb the greatest amount of incoming solar radiation?
Rough, dark-colored surfaces
Rough, light-colored surfaces
Smooth, dark-colored surfaces
Smooth, light-colored surfaces

59. Which type of land surface will most likely absorb the greatest amount of incoming solar radiation?
Rough, dark-colored surfaces
Rough, light-colored surfaces
Smooth, dark-colored surfaces
Smooth, light-colored surfaces

60. During which month does the Sun appear to rise farthest north of due east for an observer in New York State?
December
January
June
July

61. During which month does the Sun appear to rise farthest north of due east for an observer in New York State?
December
January
June
July

62. The theory that the universe is expanding is supported by the:
Blue shift of light from distant galaxies
Red shift of light from distant galaxies
Nuclear fusion occurring in the Sun
Radioactive decay occurring in the Sun

63. The theory that the universe is expanding is supported by the:
Blue shift of light from distant galaxies
Red shift of light from distant galaxies
Nuclear fusion occurring in the Sun
Radioactive decay occurring in the Sun

64. Four locations are marked on the Moon’s orbit, A, B, C, and D
Four locations are marked on the Moon’s orbit, A, B, C, and D. Which location correctly shows the new-Moon phase where none of the lighted portion of the Moon is visible from Earth?
A. A B. B C. C D. D

65. Four locations are marked on the Moon’s orbit, A, B, C, and D
Four locations are marked on the Moon’s orbit, A, B, C, and D. Which location correctly shows the new-Moon phase where none of the lighted portion of the Moon is visible from Earth?
A. A B. B C. C D. D

66. If the tilt of Earth’s axis were decreased from 23
If the tilt of Earth’s axis were decreased from 23.5° to 15°, New York State’s winters would become
Warmer, and summers would be cooler
Warmer, and summers would be warmer
Cooler, and summers would be cooler
Cooler, and summers would be warmer

67. If the tilt of Earth’s axis were decreased from 23
If the tilt of Earth’s axis were decreased from 23.5° to 15°, New York State’s winters would become
Warmer, and summers would be cooler
Warmer, and summers would be warmer
Cooler, and summers would be cooler
Cooler, and summers would be warmer

68. Which graph best shows the length of a shadow cast from sunrise to sunset by a flagpole in New York State?
A B.
C D.

69. Which graph best shows the length of a shadow cast from sunrise to sunset by a flagpole in New York State?
A B.
C D.

70. Compared to Mercury and Mars, the planets Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune have
Shorter periods of rotation
Shorter periods of revolution
Orbits with greater eccentricities
Greater densities

71. Compared to Mercury and Mars, the planets Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune have
Shorter periods of rotation
Shorter periods of revolution
Orbits with greater eccentricities
Greater densities

72. By which process do stars convert mass into great amounts of energy?
Radioactive decay
Nuclear fusion
Heat transfer
Convection

73. By which process do stars convert mass into great amounts of energy?
Radioactive decay
Nuclear fusion
Heat transfer
Convection

74. Where has the process of nuclear fusion been occurring for over four billion years?
Earth’s inner core
On the surface of the Moon
At lithospheric plate boundaries
In the Sun’s interior

75. Where has the process of nuclear fusion been occurring for over four billion years?
Earth’s inner core
On the surface of the Moon
At lithospheric plate boundaries
In the Sun’s interior

76. What is the time of day at point X?
6 a.m.
Noon
6 p.m.
Midnight

77. What is the time of day at point X?
6 a.m.
Noon
6 p.m.
Midnight

78. If the average distance between Earth and the Sun were doubled, what changes would occur in the Sun’s gravitational pull on Earth and Earth’s period of revolution?
Gravitational pull would decrease and period of revolution would increase
Gravitational pull would decrease and period of revolution would decrease
Gravitational pull would increase and period of revolution would increase
Gravitational pull would increase and period of revolution would decrease

79. If the average distance between Earth and the Sun were doubled, what changes would occur in the Sun’s gravitational pull on Earth and Earth’s period of revolution?
Gravitational pull would decrease and period of revolution would increase
Gravitational pull would decrease and period of revolution would decrease
Gravitational pull would increase and period of revolution would increase
Gravitational pull would increase and period of revolution would decrease

80. In which sequence are the items listed from least total mass to greatest total mass?
Milky Way, Solar System, Universe
Universe, Milky Way, Solar System
Solar System, Milky Way, Universe
Milky Way, Universe, Solar System

81. In which sequence are the items listed from least total mass to greatest total mass?
Milky Way, Solar System, Universe
Universe, Milky Way, Solar System
Solar System, Milky Way, Universe
Milky Way, Universe, Solar System

82. Compared to the diameter of Earth’s Moon, the diameter of Ceres is about:
¼ the Moon’s diameter
½ the Moon’s diameter
Twice the diameter of the Moon
Four times the diameter of the Moon

83. Compared to the diameter of Earth’s Moon, the diameter of Ceres is about:
¼ the Moon’s diameter
½ the Moon’s diameter
Twice the diameter of the Moon
Four times the diameter of the Moon

84. What is the primary reason each city’s duration of daylight hours changes throughout the year?
Earth’s axis is tilted 23 1/2⁰ relative to the plane of its orbit
Earth’s rotation rate is 15⁰ per day
The cities are located at different longitudes
The cities are located at different elevations

85. What is the primary reason each city’s duration of daylight hours changes throughout the year?
Earth’s axis is tilted 23 1/2⁰ relative to the plane of its orbit
Earth’s rotation rate is 15⁰ per day
The cities are located at different longitudes
The cities are located at different elevations

86. Which location represents March 21?
A. A B. B C. C D. D

87. Which location represents March 21?
A. A B. B C. C D. D

88. Which pair of shaded circles best represents the relative sizes of Earth and Venus when drawn to scale?
A B.
C D.

89. Which pair of shaded circles best represents the relative sizes of Earth and Venus when drawn to scale?
A B.
C D.

90. Which statement best describes the age of our solar system and the universe?
The universe is at least twice as old as the Solar System
The Solar System is at least twice as old as the universe
Our Solar System and the universe are estimated to be about 5 billion years old
Our Solar System and the universe are estimated to be about 10 billion years old

91. Which statement best describes the age of our solar system and the universe?
The universe is at least twice as old as the Solar System
The Solar System is at least twice as old as the universe
Our Solar System and the universe are estimated to be about 5 billion years old
Our Solar System and the universe are estimated to be about 10 billion years old

92. Which arrangement of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth results in the highest high tides, and the lowest low tides on Earth? (Diagrams are not drawn to scale)
A B.
C. D.

93. Which arrangement of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth results in the highest high tides, and the lowest low tides on Earth? (Diagrams are not drawn to scale)
A B.
C. D.