Fall 2024 Astronomy Final Exam - ALTERNATE

Front

How many high and low tides occur in a 24 hour period?

Back

2 low 2 high

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous Moon?

Back

A phase of the moon where more than half of the moon is illuminated but less than fully illuminated, occurring after a Full Moon.

Front

What happens to Texas' summer and winter temperatures if the tilt of Earth's axis increases from 23.5° to 30°?

Back

The summers would become warmer and the winters would become cooler.

Front

What is the Summer Solstice?

Back

The longest day of the year, occurring around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere.

Front

What is the Winter Solstice?

Back

The shortest day of the year, occurring around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere.

Front

What is the significance of constellations in ancient navigation?

Back

Constellations were used for wayfinding at sea.

Front

What causes tides on Earth?

Back

Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's oceans.

Front

What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

Back

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's light; a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon.

Front

What is the role of the Earth's tilt in seasons?

Back

The tilt of the Earth's axis (approximately 23.5°) causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, leading to the seasons.

Front

What is the significance of the equinoxes?

Back

Equinoxes occur when day and night are approximately equal in length, marking the change of seasons (around March 21st and September 23rd).