Question 1

Consider an observer located on the equator.If the observer sees a star directly overhead at 8 P.m. ,where will that star be located in the night sky at midnight? How far above the horizon will it be or will it have set?

Accepted Answer

The star will move westward by...

Question 2

Approximately how often do lunar eclipses occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  twice every year
B)  three times every year
C)  once per month
D)  twice every 11 months
E)  once every 11 years

Question 3

If tonight the Moon is in the waxing gibbous phase,in three days the Moon will most likely be in the:

Accepted Answer

A)  new phase
B)  full phase
C)  third-quarter phase
D)  first-quarter phase
E)  waxing crescent phase

Question 4

If the Earth's axis were tilted by 5°,instead of its actual tilt,how would the seasons be different than they are currently?

Accepted Answer

A)  The seasons would remain the same.
B)  Summers would be warmer.
C)  Winters would last longer.
D)  Winters would be warmer.
E)  Summers would last longer.

Question 5

A solar-powered spacecraft is traveling through the Moon's shadow.Which part(s) ,if any,of the Moon's shadow will cause the spacecraft to completely lose power?

Accepted Answer

A)  umbra
B)  penumbra
C)  annulus
D)  both umbra and penumbra
E)  The spacecraft will never lose power.

Question 6

For a person living in Vancouver,Canada,at latitude of 49°,the Sun will reach a maximum height above the Southern horizon on winter solstice of

Accepted Answer

A)  41.0°
B)  17.5°
C)  25.5°
D)  37.0°
E)  64.5°

Question 7

The Moon undergoes synchronous rotation,and as a consequence the:

Accepted Answer

A)  rotational period of the Moon equals the orbital period of the Moon around the Earth
B)  rotational period of the Moon equals the rotational period of the Earth
C)  rotational period of the Moon equals the orbital period of the Earth around the Sun
D)  orbital period of the Moon around the Earth equals the rotational period of the Earth
E)  Moon does not rotate as it orbits the Earth

Question 8

As the month passes,the Moon appears to rise later in the day or night when compared to the previous day.Explain why this happens.

Accepted Answer

In general,objects appear to rise and se...

Question 9

The Moon's sidereal period is 2.2 days shorter than the period during which the Moon's phases change because:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Moon always keeps the same side turned toward the Earth
B)  the Earth must rotate so an observer can see the Moon
C)  the Moon's orbit is tilted with respect to the Earth's rotational axis
D)  the Earth moves significantly in its orbit around the Sun during that time
E)  the Moon's orbital speed varies

Question 10

During which lunar phase do solar eclipses occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  new
B)  first quarter
C)  full
D)  third quarter

Question 11

What makes the equinoxes and solstices special?

Accepted Answer

The equinoxes occur when the Sun is dire...

Question 12

The longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere occurs on the summer solstice.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The meridian is defined as an imaginary circle on the sky on which lie the:

Accepted Answer

A)  celestial equator and vernal equinox
B)  north and south celestial poles
C)  zenith and the north and south celestial poles
D)  zenith and east and west directions
E)  celestial equator and summer solstice

Question 14

A friend takes a time-lapse picture of the sky,as shown below.What direction must your friend have been facing when the picture was taken?

Accepted Answer

A)  north
B)  east
C)  south
D)  west
E)  directly overhead

Question 15

During which season (in the Northern Hemisphere) could you see the Sun rising from the furthest north?

Accepted Answer

A)  winter
B)  spring
C)  summer
D)  fall
E)  The Sun always rises directly in the east.

Question 16

How is the observed height of Polaris above the horizon related to an observer's latitude? (Hint: Consider three cases of observers located at the equator,the North Pole,and latitude = +45°. )

Accepted Answer

The observed height of Polaris above the...

Question 17

Earth revolves around the Sun in the same direction Earth spins about its axis.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Solar and lunar eclipses are rare because:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Moon's orbital plane is tipped by 5.2° relative to the plane defined by the Earth's equator
B)  the Moon's orbital plane is tipped by 5.2° relative to the Earth's orbital plane
C)  the Moon's orbital plane is tipped by 23.5° relative to the plane defined by the Earth's equator
D)  the Moon's orbital plane is tipped by 23.5° relative to the Earth's orbital plane
E)  the Moon's orbital plane is tipped by 5.2° relative to the galactic plane

Question 19

A partial lunar eclipse occurs when:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Sun appears to go behind the Moon
B)  the Moon passes through part of the Earth's shadow
C)  the Moon shadows part of the Sun
D)  the Earth passes through part of the Moon's shadow
E)  the Moon passes through part of the Sun's shadow

Question 20

For an observer in Seattle,Washington,which is located at latitude = + 47°,what is the lowest possible altitude one might see the Sun on the meridian over the course of the year? Approximately what time of the day and year will this occur?

Accepted Answer

For an observer in Seattle,Washington,th...

Exam 2: Patterns in the Skymotions of Earth

A solar-powered spacecraft is traveling through the Moon's shadow.Which part(s) ,if any,of the Moon's shadow will cause the spacecraft to completely lose power?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What makes the equinoxes and solstices special?

Correct AnswerverifiedThe equinoxes occur when the Sun is dire...View AnswerShow Answer

The Moon's sidereal period is 2.2 days shorter than the period during which the Moon's phases change because:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Approximately how often do lunar eclipses occur?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A partial lunar eclipse occurs when:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

As the month passes,the Moon appears to rise later in the day or night when compared to the previous day.Explain why this happens.

Correct AnswerverifiedIn general,objects appear to rise and se...View AnswerShow Answer

The meridian is defined as an imaginary circle on the sky on which lie the:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How is the observed height of Polaris above the horizon related to an observer's latitude? (Hint: Consider three cases of observers located at the equator,the North Pole,and latitude = +45°. )

Correct AnswerverifiedThe observed height of Polaris above the...View AnswerShow Answer

Earth revolves around the Sun in the same direction Earth spins about its axis.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Consider an observer located on the equator.If the observer sees a star directly overhead at 8 P.m. ,where will that star be located in the night sky at midnight? How far above the horizon will it be or will it have set?

Correct AnswerverifiedThe star will move westward by...View AnswerShow Answer

The longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere occurs on the summer solstice.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

If tonight the Moon is in the waxing gibbous phase,in three days the Moon will most likely be in the:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

If the Earth's axis were tilted by 5°,instead of its actual tilt,how would the seasons be different than they are currently?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Moon undergoes synchronous rotation,and as a consequence the:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

During which lunar phase do solar eclipses occur?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

For a person living in Vancouver,Canada,at latitude of 49°,the Sun will reach a maximum height above the Southern horizon on winter solstice of

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Solar and lunar eclipses are rare because:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A friend takes a time-lapse picture of the sky,as shown below.What direction must your friend have been facing when the picture was taken?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

During which season (in the Northern Hemisphere) could you see the Sun rising from the furthest north?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

For an observer in Seattle,Washington,which is located at latitude = + 47°,what is the lowest possible altitude one might see the Sun on the meridian over the course of the year? Approximately what time of the day and year will this occur?

Correct AnswerverifiedFor an observer in Seattle,Washington,th...View AnswerShow Answer

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The equinoxes occur when the Sun is dire...
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In general,objects appear to rise and se...
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The observed height of Polaris above the...
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The star will move westward by...
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Correct Answer
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For an observer in Seattle,Washington,th...
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