WApp: 0710788451
GCSE (9 – 1) Astronomy 2026
Model Paper 1: Naked-eye Astronomy
1. Early civilisations used different names for their constellations. One reason for this was
they had different cultures and languages.
(a) Explain one other reason. (1 mark)
(b) Figure 1 gives the coordinates of four locations on Earth, A, B, C and D.
Location Latitude Longitude
A 23.50 North 32.50 East
B 63.50 North 149.50 West
0
C 0.0 North 23.50 East
D 51.50 South 0.00 West
Analyse the data in Figure 4 to determine which location has the Sun overhead at
midday on June 21st. (1 mark)
(c) What is the definition of the celestial equator? (1 mark)
(d) The latitude of the Tropic of Capricorn is 23.5° South. Complete the diagram to
show how the tilt of the Earth’s axis determines this angle. (1 mark)
(e) Draw 2 positions on the diagram to show that Moon’s shadows falls below and
above the Earth’s sphere. (NOT on the Earth) (1 mark)
Page 1 of 12
, WApp: 0710788451
(f) A sailor measures his local mean time to be 12:00. His watch says it is 10:20.
Explain how he can calculate his longitude and show the relevant calculations.
(5 marks)
(Total for Question 1 = 10 marks)
2. An astronomer made observations of the night sky from Edinburgh at midnight GMT in
July. Edinburgh has a latitude of 55°57ʹ N and a longitude of 3°15ʹ W.
Figure 2 shows data for three stars the astronomer observed. At the time of the
observation, Vega was due south on the observer’s meridian.
Star Right ascension Declination
Arcturus 14 h 10 min +19° 10ʹ
Polaris 02 h 32 min +89° 16ʹ
Vega 18 h 30 min +38° 45ʹ
Figure 2
(a) (i) Determine the altitude and azimuth of the star Polaris at the time of this
observation. Give your answers to the nearest degree. (2 marks)
Altitude:
Azimuth:
(ii) Determine the altitude of Vega at the time of this observation. (2 marks)
(iii) Determine the sidereal time at Greenwich at the time of this observation.
(3 marks)
Page 2 of 12
GCSE (9 – 1) Astronomy 2026
Model Paper 1: Naked-eye Astronomy
1. Early civilisations used different names for their constellations. One reason for this was
they had different cultures and languages.
(a) Explain one other reason. (1 mark)
(b) Figure 1 gives the coordinates of four locations on Earth, A, B, C and D.
Location Latitude Longitude
A 23.50 North 32.50 East
B 63.50 North 149.50 West
0
C 0.0 North 23.50 East
D 51.50 South 0.00 West
Analyse the data in Figure 4 to determine which location has the Sun overhead at
midday on June 21st. (1 mark)
(c) What is the definition of the celestial equator? (1 mark)
(d) The latitude of the Tropic of Capricorn is 23.5° South. Complete the diagram to
show how the tilt of the Earth’s axis determines this angle. (1 mark)
(e) Draw 2 positions on the diagram to show that Moon’s shadows falls below and
above the Earth’s sphere. (NOT on the Earth) (1 mark)
Page 1 of 12
, WApp: 0710788451
(f) A sailor measures his local mean time to be 12:00. His watch says it is 10:20.
Explain how he can calculate his longitude and show the relevant calculations.
(5 marks)
(Total for Question 1 = 10 marks)
2. An astronomer made observations of the night sky from Edinburgh at midnight GMT in
July. Edinburgh has a latitude of 55°57ʹ N and a longitude of 3°15ʹ W.
Figure 2 shows data for three stars the astronomer observed. At the time of the
observation, Vega was due south on the observer’s meridian.
Star Right ascension Declination
Arcturus 14 h 10 min +19° 10ʹ
Polaris 02 h 32 min +89° 16ʹ
Vega 18 h 30 min +38° 45ʹ
Figure 2
(a) (i) Determine the altitude and azimuth of the star Polaris at the time of this
observation. Give your answers to the nearest degree. (2 marks)
Altitude:
Azimuth:
(ii) Determine the altitude of Vega at the time of this observation. (2 marks)
(iii) Determine the sidereal time at Greenwich at the time of this observation.
(3 marks)
Page 2 of 12
