History of Astronomy Learning Check

According to the Big Bang Theory, which of the following is true?

• All matter in the universe began at a central point and then expanded outward.
• All matter in the universe began to shrink to a central point rapidly.
• The universe started with a loud explosion.
• The universe has be a constant shape since the beginning of time.

Which astronomer of antiquity first applied a telescope to astronomical observation?

• Ptolemy
• Galileo Galilei
• Tycho Brahe
• Copernicus

Astronomer Johannes Kepler...

• Published Almagest
• Invented the first Radio Telescope
• Suggested elliptical orbits for the planets
• Was made head astronomer for the Church

The observation that everything moved across the night sky from east to west caused early astronomers to believe... ( choose one )

• Retrograde motion did not exist
• Stellar parallax did not exist
• The sun was the center of the solar system
• The earth was the center of the solar system

Ancient astronomers used 'epicycles' to explain...?

• Retrograde Motion
• Constellation Movement
• Moon's Phases
• Planetary Transits

Ancient astronomers believed the earth did not move because...?

• No parallax was observed in stars.
• It could explain all planetary motions.
• Other models could not explain retrograde motion.
• Because it was a First Principle.

What is the following diagram developed by Ptolemy attempting to explain?

• How the relative distance of the earth can be determined

• Heliocentric model

• Geocentric model with stellar parallax

• Geocentric model with the retrograde motion of Mars

Which of the following words describes Copernicus' view of the solar system?

• Geocentric

• Heliocentric

• Retrograde

• Epicycle

Which statement is true?

• The galaxies are moving toward us.

• The galaxies are moving away from us.

• The universe remains static or unchanged in motion.

• None of the above

Light emitted from a star or galaxy can be separated into a band of colors, called a ________.

• Red Shift

• Wave Length

• Spectrum

• Microwave