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AST 110 EXAM 1 LATEST UPDATE -2026- 100+ QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS ALL THE BEST
What units are used to describe the distances in the solar system? Define these
units.
Astronomical unit (AU): the mean distance from the Earth to the Sun
What units are used to describe the distances in between stars and galaxies?
Define these units.
Light-year (ly): unit of astronomical distance equivalent to the distance that light
travels in one year.
What are the advantages of using scientific notation?
It allows to write very small and large numbers quickly and compact.
The scientific method consists of four stages:
1) Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena (e.g.,
The motion of the celestial objects as observed from the Earth - stars, planets,
etc).
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2) Develop a Hypothesis to explain the phenomenon (e.g., Geocentric model).
3) Build a Model (physical or mathematical) for testing the hypothesis.
- Make Predictions based on the hypothesis using logic (for example, predict the
location of a planet on a given future date & time).
4) Perform experimental tests of the prediction by several independent
experimenters and properly performed experiments.
- Modify the hypothesis, if necessary, to explain new data.
What is the "Occam's Razor" principle?
"If two hypotheses explain all observations equally well, then use the one that
requires the fewest assumptions."
Keep theories as simple & elegant as possible.
What is a constellation? Name and sketch a constellation.
Stars into apparent patterns.
Ursa Major - "The Great Bear"
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How many constellations do we have today? Are all the stars of a constellation at
the same distance?
88 constellations.
Constellations merely appear to be close because they are almost in the same line
of sight from the Earth, but one star can be hundreds or thousands of light years
from the other.
What is an asterism? Name and sketch an asterism.
A prominent pattern or group of stars, typically having a popular name but smaller
than a constellation.
The Big Dipper is a well-known asterism that is part of the constellation Ursa
Major (the Great Bear).
Describe the daily and yearly motion of the Sun, Moon, planets and stars in our
sky.
Explain the following terms: celestial sphere, celestial equator, celestial north
pole, celestial south pole, zenith.
Celestial sphere: Projection of Earth's axes and equator onto space.
Celestial equator:
AST 110 EXAM 1 LATEST UPDATE -2026- 100+ QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS ALL THE BEST
What units are used to describe the distances in the solar system? Define these
units.
Astronomical unit (AU): the mean distance from the Earth to the Sun
What units are used to describe the distances in between stars and galaxies?
Define these units.
Light-year (ly): unit of astronomical distance equivalent to the distance that light
travels in one year.
What are the advantages of using scientific notation?
It allows to write very small and large numbers quickly and compact.
The scientific method consists of four stages:
1) Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena (e.g.,
The motion of the celestial objects as observed from the Earth - stars, planets,
etc).
, 2
2) Develop a Hypothesis to explain the phenomenon (e.g., Geocentric model).
3) Build a Model (physical or mathematical) for testing the hypothesis.
- Make Predictions based on the hypothesis using logic (for example, predict the
location of a planet on a given future date & time).
4) Perform experimental tests of the prediction by several independent
experimenters and properly performed experiments.
- Modify the hypothesis, if necessary, to explain new data.
What is the "Occam's Razor" principle?
"If two hypotheses explain all observations equally well, then use the one that
requires the fewest assumptions."
Keep theories as simple & elegant as possible.
What is a constellation? Name and sketch a constellation.
Stars into apparent patterns.
Ursa Major - "The Great Bear"
, 3
How many constellations do we have today? Are all the stars of a constellation at
the same distance?
88 constellations.
Constellations merely appear to be close because they are almost in the same line
of sight from the Earth, but one star can be hundreds or thousands of light years
from the other.
What is an asterism? Name and sketch an asterism.
A prominent pattern or group of stars, typically having a popular name but smaller
than a constellation.
The Big Dipper is a well-known asterism that is part of the constellation Ursa
Major (the Great Bear).
Describe the daily and yearly motion of the Sun, Moon, planets and stars in our
sky.
Explain the following terms: celestial sphere, celestial equator, celestial north
pole, celestial south pole, zenith.
Celestial sphere: Projection of Earth's axes and equator onto space.
Celestial equator:
