Space Science Practice Test

The latitudes of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn are determined by Earth's

• rotation
• axial tilt
• surface ocean currents
• average surface temperature

The rate of Earth's revolution around the Sun is approximately

• 1°/day
• 15°/day
• 24°/day
• 360°/day

The diagrams below represent the constellations that are visible above the southern horizon at midnight from the same New York State location on two different dates of the year. Why are different constellations seen on these two dates at midnight?

• Constellations rotate on an axis.
• Constellations revolve around the Sun.
• Earth rotates on its axis.
• Earth revolves around the Sun.

From September 1 to June 1, the number of daylight hours observed each day in New York State will

• decrease, only
• increase, only
• decrease, then increase
• increase, then decrease

The north end of Earth's axis of rotation points toward

• Alpha Centauri
• Betelgeuse
• Polaris
• Spica

The names and appearances of four Moon phases viewed by an observer in New York State in June are shown below.Which diagram best represents the Moon's appearance on June 3?A. B. C. D.

• A
• B
• C
• D

The diagram below represents the Moon passing through the darker part of Earth's shadow called the umbra. Letters A and B represent locations on Earth's surface. Which statement best identifies this event and at which location it would be viewed?

• A solar eclipse is occurring and can be seen from location A.
• A solar eclipse is occurring and can be seen from location B.
• A lunar eclipse is occurring and can be seen from location A.
• A lunar eclipse is occurring and can be seen from location B.

Base your answers on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the Moon at different positions in its orbit around Earth. The phases of the Moon as seen by an observer in New York State have been labeled. 8. The same side of the Moon always faces Earth because the period of revolution of the Moon is

• shorter than the period of rotation of Earth
• shorter than the period of rotation of the Moon
• equal to the period of rotation of Earth
• equal to the period of rotation of the Moon

Base your answer on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the Moon at different positions in its orbit around Earth. The phases of the Moon as seen by an observer in New York State have been labeled.Eclipses do not occur each time that the Moon revolves around Earth because the Moon's

• orbit is less eccentric than Earth's orbit
• orbit is inclined to Earth's orbit
• diameter is greater than Earth's diameter
• diameter is less than Earth's diameter

Base your answers on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the Moon at different positions in its orbit around Earth. The phases of the Moon as seen by an observer in New York State have been labeled. At which two Moon phases will the difference in height between high tide and low tide most likely be the greatest?

• new Moon and full Moon
• new gibbous and old crescent
• new crescent and old gibbous
• first quarter and last quarter