Understanding the Sky

To understand the sky as the original astronomers did, from what perspective must we learn to see it?

• From the perspective of modern technology

• From the perspective of the original astronomers thousands of years ago

• From the perspective of science fiction authors

• From the perspective of astronauts in space

What did ancient astronomers believe about the Earth and the sky?

• They believed the Earth was flat and the sky was a separate entity.

• They believed the Earth was surrounded by a great sphere, with stars stuck on the inside like thumbtacks in the ceiling.

• They believed the Earth was the center of the universe and the sky rotated around it.

• They believed the stars were small lights floating just above the Earth's surface.

What is our current understanding of the stars in the sky?

• All stars are at the same distance from Earth.

• Stars are small, light-emitting objects close to Earth.

• Stars are great distances away and not all at the same distance from Earth.

• Stars are illusions created by the Earth's atmosphere.

What was the original sphere model called that represented the universe?

• Terrestrial Sphere

• Celestial Sphere

• Astral Sphere

• Geocentric Sphere

What is the Celestial Sphere?

• A model representing the actual positions of stars in the sky

• An imaginary sphere of very large radius surrounding Earth, to which the planets, stars, sun, and moon seem to be attached

• The region of space just outside Earth's atmosphere

• A physical sphere that contains all celestial bodies

What is a Scientific Model?

• A detailed replica of a particular scientific phenomenon

• A hypothesis that has been proven by multiple experiments

• A concept that helps you think about some aspects of nature without necessarily being true

• A mathematical equation that precisely predicts natural occurrences

What is the term used to describe the point directly overhead in the sky?

• Horizon

• Azimuth

• Zenith

• Celestial Equator

What is the name of the imaginary line that divides the sky into northern and southern hemispheres?

• Celestial Equator

• Celestial Meridian

• Ecliptic

• Horizon

What is the angle measurement called that is used to locate objects in the sky relative to the horizon?

• Altitude

• Azimuth

• Latitude

• Longitude

Which direction corresponds to 0 degrees azimuth?

• North

• South

• East

• West