PHYS 107 ASTRONOMY 2

• Question 1

  1 out of 1 points

  	By locating the north celestial pole (NCP) in the sky, how can you determine your latitude?
  	Selected Answer:    The altitude of the NCP is the same as your latitude. Correct Answer:    The altitude of the NCP is the same as your latitude. Response Feedback:   Correct, the altitude (angular height) of the NCP is your latitude.

• Question 2

  1 out of 1 points

  	You see a constellation at the zenith at midnight tonight, 6 months from now the constellation will:
  	Selected Answer: a.  be straight overhead at noon. Correct Answer: c. be straight overhead at noon. Response Feedback: Correct, in 6 months Earth moves half way around the Sun in its orbit, so it will be at the same point in the sky half a day earlier.

• Question 3

  0 out of 1 points

  	Which takes longer to complete?
  	Selected Answer:   one complete rotation of the Earth Correct Answer:  one solar day Response Feedback: Incorrect, the other 4 are all things which occur  over (approximately) 1 sidereal day, and a Solar day is longer than a sidereal day.

• Question 4

  1 out of 1 points

  	Which of the following statements about the celestial equator is true at all latitudes?
  	Selected Answer:    It represents an extension of Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere. Correct Answer:    It represents an extension of Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere. Response Feedback:  Correct, the celestial equator is the line that marks on the celestial sphere the intersection of the Earth's equator extended out to the stars

• Question 5

  1 out of 1 points

  	The passage of one sidereal day in Louisville implies that:
  	Selected Answer: d.  the Earth has rotated exactly 360 degrees. Correct Answer: d. the Earth has rotated exactly 360 degrees. Response Feedback: Correct, a sidereal day is the time it takes the Earth to rotate exactly 360 degrees.

• Question 6

  1 out of 1 points

  	A new Moon occurs:
  	Selected Answer: c.  when the Moon is on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. Correct Answer: d. when the Moon is on the same side of the Earth as the Sun. Response Feedback: Correct, a new Moon occurs when the sunlight side of the Moon is facing away from the Earth.

• Question 7

  1 out of 1 points

  	Which of the following are true of the ecliptic?
  	Selected Answer: b.  It is an extension of the Earth's orbital plane out to the celestial sphere. Correct Answer: b. It is an extension of the Earth's orbital plane out to the celestial sphere. Response Feedback: Correct, the ecliptic plane is the extension of the Earth's (mean) orbit to the celestial sphere, and the constellations found along it are known as the zodiac.

• Question 8

  1 out of 1 points

  	Consider the following hypothetical planet, for how many days is it in retrograde motion?
  	Selected Answer:   12 days Correct Answer:  12 days Response Feedback: Correct, the planet is "moving" east to west relative to the stars between March 31st and April 12th, or for 12 days.

• Question 9

  1 out of 1 points

  	When we see Venus in its full phase as seen from Earth, what phase would Earth be in as seen by a hypothetical Venutian?
  	Selected Answer:    full Correct Answer:   full Response Feedback:  Correct, the Earth will be on the opposite side of the Sun from Venus so an observer on either planet would see the other as "full"

• Question 10

  1 out of 1 points

  	Precession is the:
  	Selected Answer: b.  slow motion of the Earth's poles (rotational axis) on the celestial sphere. Correct Answer: b. slow motion of the Earth's poles (rotational axis) on the celestial sphere. Response Feedback: Correct, the position of the Earth's north and south poles on the celestial poles slowly move over a period of ~26,000 years.

• Question 11

  1 out of 1 points

  	A first quarter Moon is at position:
  	Selected Answer: c. [None Given] Correct Answer: c. Response Feedback: Correct, a quarter Moon is when the side of the Moon facing the Earth is half illuminated by the Sun,  which occurs when the Moon is about 1/4 and 3/4 of the way around its orbit.  The first quarter is between new and full Moon, or position (c).

• Question 12

  1 out of 1 points

  	Which of the following statements about the Moon is true?
  	Selected Answer:    The Moon's distance from Earth varies during its orbit. Correct Answer:    The Moon's distance from Earth varies during its orbit. Response Feedback:  Correct, the Moon's orbit is not perfectly circular

• Question 13

  1 out of 1 points

  	During which of these Moon phases is a Solar eclipse possible?
  	Selected Answer: a. [None Given] Correct Answer: a. Response Feedback: Correct, a Solar eclipse is when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth and part of the Earth is covered by the Moon's shadow.

• Question 14

  1 out of 1 points

  	As seen from the Earth, the planets Mercury and Venus can only be found:
  	Selected Answer: d.  just above the western horizon after sunset. Correct Answer: d. just above the western horizon after sunset. Response Feedback: Correct, the inner planets can only be found near the Sun (within ~45 degrees).

• Question 15

  1 out of 1 points

  	Tonight you observe the planet Jupiter at midnight high in the Southern skies, you know that:
  	Selected Answer: b.  Jupiter and Earth must be on the same side of the Sun. Correct Answer: b. Jupiter and Earth must be on the same side of the Sun. Response Feedback: Correct, objects seen from Louisville to the South at midnight must be on the same side of the Sun as the Earth.

• Question 16

  0 out of 1 points

  	When did Copernicus live?
  	Selected Answer:    about 5000 years ago Correct Answer:    about 500 years ago Response Feedback:  Incorrect, Copernicus's work detailing his heliocentric model was published in the year of his death in 1543

• Question 17

  1 out of 1 points

  	You are on the side of the Moon that faces the Earth, and on Earth it is a new Moon. What phase Earth do you see?
  	Selected Answer: c.  full Correct Answer: c. full Response Feedback: Correct, on Earth it is new Moon so the Sun and Moon must be on the same side of the Earth.  Thus the Earth and Sun are on opposite sides of the Moon, so the Earth will appear fully illuminated to an observer on the Moon - thus "full Earth"

• Question 18

  1 out of 1 points

  	Orion is visible on winter evenings but not summer evenings because of
  	Selected Answer:    the location of Earth in its orbit. Correct Answer:    the location of Earth in its orbit. Response Feedback:  Correct, the Earth changes which side of the Sun it is on, and so Orion is in the sky during daytime.

• Question 19

  1 out of 1 points

  	The reason the planets appear to be near the ecliptic is:
  	Selected Answer: a.  the planets orbit around the Sun in nearly the same plane. Correct Answer: a. the planets orbit around the Sun in nearly the same plane. Response Feedback: Correct, the orbital planes of the planets are nearly the same.

• Question 20

  1 out of 1 points

  	Which of the following statements about scientific models is true?
  	Selected Answer:    A model can be used to explain and predict real phenomena. Correct Answer:    A model can be used to explain and predict real phenomena. Response Feedback:  Correct, a scientific model's usefulness is based upon its ability to predict and explain phenomena.