Exploring Cyclical Phenomena in Astronomy

What causes the stars to rise and set as observed from Earth?

• The rotation of the Earth

• The tilt of the Earth's axis

• The orbit of the Earth around the Sun

• The movement of the stars themselves

Why do stars appear to change their positions over weeks and months?

• Due to the tilt of the Earth's axis

• Due to the Earth's orbit around the Sun

• Because of the movement of the stars

• Because of the Earth's rotation

What is the ecliptic?

• The path the Sun takes across the sky

• The path the Moon takes across the sky

• The path the stars take across the sky

• The path the planets take across the sky

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which constellations does the Sun pass through every year?

• The Big Dipper

• The zodiac constellations

• The Orion constellation

• The Southern Cross

What causes the seasons on Earth?

• The rotation of the Earth

• The tilt of the Earth's axis

• The Earth's distance from the Sun

• The Earth's elliptical orbit

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

When the Earth's north pole is tipped toward the Sun, what season is it in the northern hemisphere?

• Autumn

• Summer

• Winter

• Spring

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is precession?

• The movement of the stars

• The Earth's orbit around the Sun

• The wobble of the Earth's axis

• The Earth's rotation on its axis

How long does it take for the Earth's axis to complete one precession cycle?

• 100 years

• 26,000 years

• 1 year

• 1,000 years

Which star was the pole star for ancient Egyptians?

• Vega

• Thuban

• Polaris

• Sirius

Why does the date the Sun is in a particular zodiac constellation change over time?

• Because of precession

• Due to the Earth's orbit around the Sun

• Because of the Earth's rotation

• Due to the movement of the stars