Question 1

Which of the following statements about lunar phases is true?

Accepted Answer

The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days, so it's possible to have two full moons in a month with 31 days, like January, but not in February, which has 28 or 29 days.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about the celestial equator is true at all latitudes?

Accepted Answer

The celestial equator represents an extension of Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere, meaning it lies on the same plane as Earth's equator. This is true at all latitudes. Option A is not true as the Milky Way is not always along the celestial equator. Option C is not true as the celestial equator cuts the dome of the sky exactly in half only when viewed from the equator, at other latitudes it appears to be at an angle. Option D is not true as the celestial equator extends from due east to due west only when viewed from the equator, at other latitudes it appears to be at an angle. Option E is not true as the celestial equator does not extend from due north to due south at any latitude.

Question 3

When someone on Earth observes the Moon in the first-quarter phase, someone on the Moon facing Earth observes Earth in the

Accepted Answer

When someone on Earth observes the Moon in the first-quarter phase, it means the Sun, Earth, and Moon form a right angle, with the Sun on one side, Earth in the middle, and the Moon on the other side. At this point, someone on the Moon facing Earth would observe Earth in the third-quarter phase, with half of the Earth illuminated and the other half in darkness.

Question 4

What is a circumpolar star?

Accepted Answer

A circumpolar star is one that never sets below the horizon and is always visible in the sky from a given location.

Question 5

By locating the north celestial pole (NCP) in the sky, how can you determine your latitude?

Accepted Answer

By locating the NCP in the sky and measuring its altitude, you can determine your latitude. This is because the altitude of the NCP is the same as the observer's latitude. For example, if the NCP appears to be 45 degrees above the horizon, the observer's latitude is also 45 degrees (assuming they are in the northern hemisphere).

Question 6

If the Moon is setting at noon, the phase of the Moon must be

Accepted Answer

If the Moon is setting at noon, it means it has just passed its highest point in the sky, which is when it would be in the third quarter phase.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about circumpolar stars is true at all latitudes?

Accepted Answer

Circumpolar stars are those that, due to their proximity to one of the celestial poles, remain perpetually above the horizon for any given observer, regardless of the observer's latitude. This means they do not rise or set but are always visible in the sky, day or night, assuming clear conditions and darkness.

Question 8

You are standing on Earth's equator. Which way is Polaris, the North star?

Accepted Answer

Polaris, the North star, is located above the North Pole. As such, it is always on the northern horizon from the vantage point of the equator, no matter the time of day or year.

Question 9

If the Moon is setting at 6 A.M., the phase of the Moon must be

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the Moon is setting at 6...

Question 10

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

On the equinoxes, both hemispheres receive equal amounts of sunlight because the sun is directly over the equator. The Northern Hemisphere receives the most direct sunlight on the summer solstice, which occurs around June 21st, marking the longest day of the year in that hemisphere.

Question 11

If the Moon is rising at midnight, the phase of the Moon must be

Accepted Answer

If the Moon is rising at midnight, it means it is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun (since the Sun is on the opposite side of the Earth during the day). Therefore, the Moon must be in the third quarter phase, where half of the illuminated side is facing away from the Earth.

Question 12

Why is it summer in the Northern Hemisphere when it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere?

Accepted Answer

The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun during its summer season, which results in more direct sunlight and longer days. The Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, is tilted away from the Sun and experiences shorter days and less direct sunlight during its winter season.

Question 13

What makes the North Star, Polaris, special?

Accepted Answer

Polaris appears very near the north celestial pole, which makes it special as it remains in the same position in the sky while other stars and constellations appear to rotate around it. This has made it a useful navigational tool for thousands of years.

Question 14

Orion is visible on winter evenings but not summer evenings because of

Accepted Answer

Orion is visible in the winter because of Earth's position in its orbit around the Sun. As Earth orbits, different constellations become visible in the night sky.

Question 15

How many arcseconds are in one degree?

Accepted Answer

There are 60 arcminutes in one degree, and each arcminute contains 60 arcseconds. Therefore, 60 arcminutes x 60 arcseconds = 3,600 arcseconds in one degree.

Question 16

At approximately what time would a full moon be on your meridian?

Accepted Answer

A full moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, so it is highest in the sky (on the meridian) at midnight.

Question 17

Which of the following statements about constellations is false?

Accepted Answer

Most constellations will remain recognizable for thousands of years, not hundreds.

Question 18

When we look into the band of light in our sky that we call the Milky Way, can we see distant galaxies? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The stars, gas, and dust of the Milky Way block our view of distant galaxies, making it impossible for us to see them. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because galaxies appear as small, fuzzy patches outside our galaxy, not on the other side. Option B is incorrect because there are no other galaxies inside the Milky Way. Option D is incorrect because there are galaxies within the plane of the Milky Way.

Question 19

Which of the following is not a phase of the Moon?

Accepted Answer

"Half moon" is not a specific phase of the Moon. It could potentially refer to either the first-quarter or third-quarter phase, both of which appear as half of the Moon illuminated. However, it is not a commonly used term in astronomy to describe a specific phase.

Question 20

If it is midnight in New York, it is

Accepted Answer

New York and Sydney have a time difference of approximately 16 hours, with Sydney being ahead. Therefore, when it is midnight in New York, it is daytime in Sydney.

Quiz 2: Discovering the Universe for Yourself