Unit Test: Astronomy

Front

What is insolation?

Back

The portion of the Sun’s radiation that actually reaches the surface of the Earth.

Front

How do scientists determine which elements are present in distant stars or galaxies?

Back

By analyzing the absorption spectrum of the star or galaxy.

Front

What theory did Georges Lemaître propose regarding the beginning of the universe?

Back

The Big Bang theory.

Front

What primarily causes high and low tides on Earth?

Back

The Moon's gravitational pull.

Front

What is the habitable zone?

Back

The region around a star where conditions may be suitable for life as we know it.

Front

What is the significance of Kepler's Laws in astronomy?

Back

They describe the motion of planets around the Sun, including their elliptical orbits.

Front

What is redshift in astronomy?

Back

The phenomenon where light from an object is shifted to longer wavelengths, indicating it is moving away from the observer.

Front

What is blueshift in astronomy?

Back

The phenomenon where light from an object is shifted to shorter wavelengths, indicating it is moving towards the observer.

Front

What is the cosmic microwave background?

Back

The afterglow radiation from the Big Bang, filling the universe and providing evidence for the Big Bang theory.

Front

What is the difference between a planet and a star?

Back

A planet orbits a star and does not produce its own light, while a star generates energy through nuclear fusion.