Astronomy Unit 2 test review

What does the term "constellation" mean?

• Sky animals

• star pictures

• grouping of stars

• an unofficial name for a constellation

What is an asterism?

• A grouping of stars that is not an official constellation

• a small constellation

• a constellation that is used for navigation

• an unofficial name for a constellation

Which is an example of a common asterism?

• The Big Dipper

• Ursa Major

• Gemini

• Ursa Minor

What are Circumpolar Constellations?

• Constellations that can only be seen during certain times of year

• Constellations that never appear to set

• Constellations that can be seen all year long

Why did the International Astronomical Union standardize the names of constellations?

• to overcome language barriers

• because there were many variations of names for the same star groupings

• to make the creation of star charts easier

• so that no constellation could be named after a single person

Why will Polaris not always be the north star?

• Polaris is drifting away

• The earth's axis is wobbling

• The earth's path around the sun is shifting

• Polaris is dying

Which constellations can you see if you live on the equator?

• the ecliptic constellations

• the northern hemisphere constellations

• the southern hemisphere constellations

Which of the following CANNOT be seen from the Southern hemisphere?

• Sagittarius

• Crux

• Polaris

• Aries

What is precession?

• The Earth's rotation

• The change in direction of the planet's axis

• The setting of stars below the horizon

• When stars are used for navigation

What are the ecliptic constellations also know as?

• Equatorial Constellations

• Circumpolar Constellations

• Asterisms

• The zodiac