ASTRONOMY 101 FINAL EXAM
Eratosthenes estimated the size of the Earth, based on
a. the different dates of midsummer experienced in two cities.
b. the angle between two cities, using sunlight as a direction reference.
c. the shape of the Moon's shadow during an eclipse.
d. the different times between major lunar phases.
The retrograde motion of planets was a prime reason for
a. adding epicycles to the geocentric system.
b. the Greeks to regard the Sun as the center of all motion.
c. ancient philosophers to place the Earth at the center of motion.
d. early astronomical systems to incorporate only circular motions.
Which is visible from the smallest area?
a. total solar eclipse.
b. total lunar eclipse.
c. partial solar eclipse.
d. partial lunar eclipse.
,One of the earliest astronomical indications that the Earth is round was
a. the shape of the Earth's shadow during a lunar eclipse.
b. the path of the Moon's shadow during a solar eclipse.
c. the need for the time zones to precisely synchronize clocks.
d. the round shapes of the other planets.
The Moon shows a complete cycle of phases each month because
a. of the Earth's shadow falling on it.
b. of lunar eclipses.
c. we see the sunlit half from different hemispheres.
d. its rotation brings more or less of its dark side into our view.
We experience seasons because
a. of our elliptical orbit around the Sun.
b. of perturbations caused by the Moon's gravity
c. of the tilt between the Earth's axis and its orbit.
d. the angle between the Earth's axis and orbit changes in a yearly cycle.
The distance to the nearest stars beyond the Sun is conveniently measured
, a. in light-years or parsecs.
b. in astronomical units (AU).
c. in kilometers or miles.
d. using radar ranging.
At a given place, we would see more frequent total solar eclipses if
a. the Earth were closer to the Sun.
b. the Moon were farther from the Earth.
c. the year were shorter.
d. the Earth's and Moon's orbits were more closely aligned.
Occam's razor is a principle stating that
a. complex explanations are always more scientific than simple ones.
b. only uniform circular motion can occur in the cosmos.
c. scientific though may incorporate only directly observed facts.
d. the simplest workable hypothesis is most likely the correct one.
A constellation is made up of
a. a group of stars in a certain direction at a particular distance from us.
b. all stars in a particular direction, at whatever distances.
Eratosthenes estimated the size of the Earth, based on
a. the different dates of midsummer experienced in two cities.
b. the angle between two cities, using sunlight as a direction reference.
c. the shape of the Moon's shadow during an eclipse.
d. the different times between major lunar phases.
The retrograde motion of planets was a prime reason for
a. adding epicycles to the geocentric system.
b. the Greeks to regard the Sun as the center of all motion.
c. ancient philosophers to place the Earth at the center of motion.
d. early astronomical systems to incorporate only circular motions.
Which is visible from the smallest area?
a. total solar eclipse.
b. total lunar eclipse.
c. partial solar eclipse.
d. partial lunar eclipse.
,One of the earliest astronomical indications that the Earth is round was
a. the shape of the Earth's shadow during a lunar eclipse.
b. the path of the Moon's shadow during a solar eclipse.
c. the need for the time zones to precisely synchronize clocks.
d. the round shapes of the other planets.
The Moon shows a complete cycle of phases each month because
a. of the Earth's shadow falling on it.
b. of lunar eclipses.
c. we see the sunlit half from different hemispheres.
d. its rotation brings more or less of its dark side into our view.
We experience seasons because
a. of our elliptical orbit around the Sun.
b. of perturbations caused by the Moon's gravity
c. of the tilt between the Earth's axis and its orbit.
d. the angle between the Earth's axis and orbit changes in a yearly cycle.
The distance to the nearest stars beyond the Sun is conveniently measured
, a. in light-years or parsecs.
b. in astronomical units (AU).
c. in kilometers or miles.
d. using radar ranging.
At a given place, we would see more frequent total solar eclipses if
a. the Earth were closer to the Sun.
b. the Moon were farther from the Earth.
c. the year were shorter.
d. the Earth's and Moon's orbits were more closely aligned.
Occam's razor is a principle stating that
a. complex explanations are always more scientific than simple ones.
b. only uniform circular motion can occur in the cosmos.
c. scientific though may incorporate only directly observed facts.
d. the simplest workable hypothesis is most likely the correct one.
A constellation is made up of
a. a group of stars in a certain direction at a particular distance from us.
b. all stars in a particular direction, at whatever distances.
