Crash Course Astronomy: Naked Eye Observations Quiz

What does 'naked eye' mean in the context of astronomy?

• Using a telescope

• Using binoculars

• Using only the eyes

• Using a camera

How many stars can people with normal vision see at any given time?

• Fifty thousand

  (50,000)

• Six to ten thousand

  (6,000-10,000)

• One hundred thousand

  (100,000)

• A few hundred

  (100s)

What word is used to describe a measurement of how bright a star is? This system gives a low number to the brightest and larger numbers to stars that are less bright (faint).

• Magnitude

• Temperature

• Color

• Distance

What is the name of the brightest star in the night sky?

• Sirius

• Betelgeuse

• Arcturus

• Vega

What is the main effect of light pollution on astronomy?

• Insects get confused as to when to breed.

• Stars are much harder to see around cities.

• People have a harder time falling asleep.

• The sun comes up earlier and goes down later.

Which planet is the third brightest natural object in the sky?

• Jupiter

• Venus

• Mars

• Mercury

What is the name of the star that is very close to the north celestial pole?

• Alpha Orionis

• Polaris

• Beta Ursae Minoris

• Sigma Octans

What happens to the circle made by a star on the celestial equator as you move north or south?

• It remains the same size

• It disappears

• It gets smaller

• It gets bigger

What is the name of the Persian astronomer who translated ancient Greek astronomy texts into Arabic?

• Hipparchus

• Aristarchus

• Ptolemy

• Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi

What is the main goal of groups like the International Dark-Sky Association?

• Promoting light pollution

• Advocating for intelligent lighting

• Encouraging bright city lights

• Supporting industrial emissions