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WorksheetsAstronomy
Total questions: 150
Worksheet time: 1hrs 15mins
A system of referents that may be used to locate objects in the
The sky is the ____________
celestial globe
celestial coordinates
celestial sphere.
celestial maps.
Our Sun is______
one of several stars in the solar system
the brightest star in the night sky
an average star, considering mass and age
a protostar.
A star's brightness at a given standard distance varies
apparent magnitude
apparent longitude
absolute magnitude
absolute latitude
The total amount of energy emitted by a star's surface.
Each second is spent in space
stellar radiation
luminosity
convection
dispersion
Which of the following color of starlight is emitted by the hottest star?
Blue-white
Red
Orange-red
Yellow
The color of a star is related to its
composition
apparent magnitude
absolute magnitude
surface temperature
The graph of temperature and brightness used to identify stars was
designed by
Russell
Hubble
Hubble and Russell
Hertzsprung and Russell
A Cepheid variable star's period-brightness connection
permits astronomers to calculate
distance
age of stars
luminosity
size
Where does our Sun belong based on the Hertzsprung-Russell classification of stars?
Main sequence
Red giant
White dwarf
Cepheid variable
A star's lifespan is determined by its
composition
mass
temperature
location
The stages in the life of a star are
protostar, main sequence, white dwarf, and red giant.
protostar, main sequence, red giant, and red dwarf
protostar, main sequence, red giant, and white dwarf
protostar, main sequence, red giant, and nebulae
The outer shell of a less massive star ages as it grows older.
Occasionally thrown into space, producing a
white dwarf
black hole
Cepheid variable
planetary nebula
The collapse of a massive star
results in a tremendous explosion called a supernova
forms a white dwarf
forms planetary nebulae
results in a tremendous explosion called a pulsar
A rapidly rotating neutron star with a strong magnetic field is a
neutron star
pulsar
supernova
black hole
The product of the collapse of a massive star with a core three times the mass of our Sun is a
neutron star
pulsar
red giant
black hole
The basic unit of the universe is a
star
solar system
galaxy
constellation
A galaxy is held together by
stellar dust
gravitational attraction
electronic attractions
pulsating stars
The diameter of the Milky Way is about
500 light-years
50,000 light-years
100,000 light-years
200 million light-years
Approximately how old is the universe?
5 billion years
10 billion years
14 billion years
25 billion years
Stars twinkle and planets do not twinkle because
planets shine by reflected light, and stars produce their own light
all stars are pulsing light sources
stars appear as point sources of light, and planets are disk sources
All of the above are correct
How much of the celestial meridian can you see from any given point on the surface of Earth?
One-fourth
One-half
Three-fourths
All of it
Which of the following coordinate system of lines depends on where you are on the surface of Earth?
Celestial meridian
Celestial equator
North celestial pole
None of the above is correct
The angle that you see Polaris, the North Star, above the horizon is about the same as your approximate location on
the celestial meridian
the celestial equator
a northern longitude
a northern latitude
If you were at the north celestial pole looking down on Earth, how would it appear to be moving?
Clockwise
Counterclockwise
One way, then the other as a pendulum
It would not appear to move from this location
Your answer to question 24 means that Earth turns
from the west toward the east
from the east toward the west
at the same rate it is moving in its orbit
not at all.
Your answer to question 25 means that the Moon, Sun, and stars that are not circumpolar appear to rise in the
west, move in an arc, then set in the east
north, move in an arc, then set in the south
east, move in an arc, then set in the west
south, move in an arc, then set in the north
How many degrees of arc above the horizon is a star located halfway between directly over your head and the horizon?
45°
90°
135°
180°
In which part of a newborn star does the nuclear fusion take place?
Convection zone
Radiation zone
Core
All of the above are correct
Which of the following stars would have the longer life spans?
The less massive
Between the more massive and the less massive
The more massive
All have the same life span
A brilliant blue star in the main sequence is almost certainly
very massive
less massive
between the more massive and the less massive
None of the above is correct
The brightest stars on the list are the
first magnitude
second magnitude
fifth magnitude
sixth magnitude
The basic property of a main sequence star that determines most of its other properties, including its location on the H-R diagram, is
brightness
color
temperature
mass
All of the elements that are more massive than the element iron were formed in a
nova
white dwarf
supernova
black hole
If the core remaining after a supernova has a mass between 1.5 and 3 solar masses, it collapses to form a
white dwarf
neutron star
red giant
black hole
The relationship between the different shapes of galaxies is that
spherical galaxies form first, which flatten out to elliptical galaxies, then spin off spirals until they break up in irregular shapes.
irregular shapes form first, which collapse to spiral galaxies, then condense to spherical shapes.
there is no relationship as the different shapes probably resulted from different rates of swirling gas clouds.
None of the above is correct.
Microwave radiation from space, measurements of the expansion of the universe, the age of the oldest stars in the Milky Way galaxy, and ratios of radioactive decay products all indicate that the universe is about how old?
6,000 years
4.5 billion years
13.7 billion years
100,000 billion years
Whether the universe will continue to expand or will collapse back into another big bang seems to depend on what property of the universe?
The density of matter in the universe
The age of galaxies compared to the age of their stars
The availability of gases and dust between the galaxies
The number of black holes
Distance in outer space is measured in terms of
kilometers
megameters
light-years
miles
You are studying physical science in Tennessee. Where are you located with respect to the celestial equator?
North of the celestial equator
South of the celestial equator
On the celestial equator
East of the celestial equator
The Crab Nebula is what remains of a
pulsar
supernova
black hole
constellation
The interior of an average star is proposed to contain all of the following except a
conduction zone
core
radiation zone
convection zone
Approximately 1.4 × 1017 kg of matter is converted to energy each year by the Sun. How much matter is converted to energy in 20 years?
4.2 × 1025 kg
1.3 × 1034 kg
2.8 × 1021 kg
2.8 × 1018 kg
Red giant stars are
bright, low-temperature giants
dim, low-temperature giants
bright, high-temperature giants
dim, high-temperature giants
Stars that are faint, very dense, white hot, and close to the end of their lifetime are
red giant stars
novas
white dwarf stars
Cepheid variable stars
Which of the following elements forms in a supernova explosion of a dying star?
Hydrogen
Carbon
Nitrogen
Nickel
The greater the distance to a galaxy, the greater a redshift in its spectral lines. This is known as
Doppler’s law
Cepheid’s law
Hubble’s law
Kepler’s law
Evidence that points to the existence of black holes was provided by
Mauna Lao Observatory
Hubble Space Telescope
radio astronomy
LGM
The name of our galaxy is the
solar system
main sequence
Milky Way
Polaris
What is the obstacle to finding extraterrestrial life?
Money
Number of stars
Distance and time
Language
Outer space is mostly
galaxies
stars
planets
empty space
Initial evidence that supports the big bang theory of the creation of the universe came from
experiments conducted by shuttle astronauts
unmanned space probes
redshift calculations by Edwin Hubble
data from the Hubble Space Telescope
The mass of the Sun is how much larger than all of the other planets, moons, asteroids, and other bodies in the solar system?
100 times larger
200 times larger
500 times larger
700 times larger
The distance from Earth to the Sun is called a (an)
light-year
solar year
astronomical unit
astronomical year
How far is Mars from the Sun?
1.5 AU
1.0 AU
0.7 AU
0.4 AU
How far is Venus from the Sun?
1.5 AU
1.0 AU
0.7 AU
0.4 AU
What are the five largest moons in our solar system?
Ganymede, Titan, Callisto, IO & Europa
Ganymede, Titan, Callisto, IO & Triton
Ganymede, Titan, Callisto, IO & Luna
Ganymede, Titania, Callisto, IO & Luna
The four Galilean moons in Jupiter
Ganymede, Callisto, IO & Europa
Ganymede, Callisto, IO & Titan
Ganymede, Titan, IO & Europa
Ganymede, Callisto, IO & Titania
What type of planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars?
Early planets
Terrestrial planets
Small planets
Jovian planets
Which of the following is most likely found on Jupiter?
Hydrogen
Argon
Nickel
Carbon dioxide
What is the outermost planet?
Mercury
Jupiter
Neptune
Mars
The planet that was named after the mythical Roman messenger of speed is
Jupiter
Mercury
Saturn
Mars
A day on which planet is longer than a year on that planet?
Mercury
Venus
Neptune
Jupiter
The day on which planet is about the same time period as a day
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Mars has distinct surface feature-related regions. Which of the following is not such a region?
Volcanic
Systems of canyons
Plateaus near the poles
Ocean floors
How many moons orbit Mars?
One
Two
Four
None
What is the largest planet in our solar system?
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Earth
Callisto, Europa, Gannymede, and Io are
Galilean moons
volcanoes on Jupiter
red spots
comets that struck Jupiter
The density of Jupiter is
50 percent greater than that of Earth
50 percent that of the density of Earth
25 percent that of the density of Earth
500 times the density of Earth
The only moon in the solar system with a substantial atmosphere is
IO
Luna
Phobos
Titan
Saturn’s rings are thought to be
composed of thousands of particles of various sizes
the remains of a collision with Jupiter
preventing the atmosphere on Saturn from escaping
made up of captured asteroids
The planet with the lowest average density, which is less than that of liquid water, is
Uranus
Neptune
Saturn
None of the above is correct
The planet that is not a giant is
Saturn
Mercury
Jupiter
Uranus
What planets are considered “twins”?
Saturn and Jupiter
Mercury and Pluto
Neptune and Uranus
Earth and Mars
Area of the solar system where long-period comets originate is the
asteroid belt
Oort cloud
Kuiper Belt
region between Jupiter and Neptune
Short-period comets have orbital periods of
less than 200 years
more than 200 years
variable duration but between 10 and 100 years
variable duration but between 100 and 200 years
Remnants of comets and asteroids found in space are called
meteoroids
meteors
meteorites
minor planets
Meteorites are classified into the following groups except
iron
stony
lead
stony-iron
The most widely accepted theory on the origin of the solar system is
big bang
conservation of matter
protoplanet nebular
collision of planets
The belt of asteroids between Mars and Jupiter is probably
the remains of a planet that exploded
clumps of matter that condensed from the accretion disk but never got together as a planet
the remains of two planets that collided
the remains of a planet that collided with an asteroid or comet
Which of the following planets would be mostly composed of hydrogen, helium, and methane and have a density of less than 2 g/cm3 ?
Uranus
Mercury
Mars
Venus
Which of the following planets probably still has its original atmosphere?
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Venus appears the brightest when it is in the
Full phase
Half phase
Quarter phase
crescent phase
The small body with a composition and structure closest to the materials that condensed from the accretion disk is a (an)
asteroid
meteorite
comet
none of the above is correct
A small body from space that falls on the surface of Earth is a
meteoroid
meteor
meteor shower
meteorite
Planets in our solar system are classified according to all of the following characteristics except
density
size
nature of the atmosphere
inhabitants
What separates the terrestrial planets from the giant planets?
mars
asteroid belts
empty space
the moon
The planet that has the shortest “year” among the eight planets is
Jupiter
Neptune
Mercury
Earth
What planet is called the morning star and the evening star, depending on its position with respect to the Sun?
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Saturn
Venus “shines” because it is
composed of rocky materials
covered with metallic iron and nickel
powered by fusion reactions
covered with clouds that reflect sunlight
On Venus, the sun rises in the west. This is so because
the Venus day is very long
Venus rotates in the opposite direction of its revolution
Venus is the second planet from the Sun
Venus is covered with clouds and the Sun cannot be seen until later in its day
The “sister” planet to Earth is
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Moon
What feature on Mars was considered by some to be evidence of life on Mars?
Ice caps
Red color
Channels or canals
Radio signals
Jupiter radiates twice as much energy as it receives from the Sun because of
internal fusion reactions
rapid gravitational expansion of the planet
slow gravitational compression of the planet
internal fission reactions
The Great Red Spot is thought to be
a low-pressure region with stagnant clouds
a high-pressure region with high cold clouds
hydrogen and helium storms
ammonia and sulfur clouds
The metallic hydrogen that surrounds the core of Jupiter is not
a liquid
under tremendous pressure
a gas
a conductor of electric currents
A shooting star is a (an)
meteoroid
meteor
meteorite
asteroid
The plane of Earth’s orbit is called the
plane of Earth
plane of the solar system
plane of the ecliptic
plane of the Sun
The spinning of a planet on its axis, an imaginary line through its poles, is called
24 hour day
rotation
revolution
retrograde motion
The consistent tilt and the orientation of its axis as Earth moves around its orbit is responsible for
tides
seasons
volcanic eruptions
earthquakes
In the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole points toward the Sun during the
summer solstice
spring solstice
winter equinox
winter solstice
The referent meridian is the
prime meridian
principal meridian
first meridian
primary meridian
The parallel at 66.5°S is called the
Arctic Circle
Antarctic Circle
tropic of Cancer
tropic of Capricorn
The movement of the Sun across the celestial meridian is defined as
midnight
6 a.m
6 p.m
noon
Clocks and watches are set to measure a uniform standard time based on
mean solar time
apparent solar day
sidereal day
apparent solar time
How many standard time zones are there?
10
12
20
24
The 180° meridian is called the
tropic of Cancer
prime meridian
international date line
Arctic Circle
The time period from one new moon to the next new moon is called the
sidereal month
synodic month
lunar month
apparent month
Maria are
craters on the Moon
mountains on the Moon
ancient molten lava seas on the Moon
dried-up oceans on the Moon
Unmanned missions to the Moon did not find or identify
active volcanoes
water
minerals
lunar topography
Rocks on the surface of the Moon are primarily
sedimentary
basaltic
limestone
metamorphic
The approximate age of the Moon was determined by
radioactive dating of moon rocks
exploration by Apollo astronauts
measurement of the depth of the surface dust
laser measurement of the distance from Earth to the Moon
What is the accepted theory about the origin of the Moon?
It formed from particles revolving around Earth
A very large object hit Earth, and the Moon was formed from ejected material
Earth captured an incoming asteroid, and it became the Moon
Earth and the Moon were created at the same time
The Moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun. This phase is the
full moon
new moon
first quarter moon
last quarter moon
Tides that occur at the full and new moon phases are called
new tides
lunar tides
spring tides
tidal waves
Friction between the tides and the ocean basin is
wearing away the ocean basin
moving Earth closer to the Moon
increasing the rotation of Earth
slowing the rotation of Earth
Earth is undergoing a combination of how many different major motions?
Zero
One
Three
Seven
In the Northern Hemisphere, city A is located a number of miles north of city B. At 12 noon in city B, the Sun appears directly overhead. At this very same time, the Sun over city A will appear
to the north of overhead
directly overhead
to the south of overhead
None of the above
Earth as a whole receives the most solar energy during what month?
January
March
July
September
During the course of a year and relative to the Sun, Earth’s axis points
always toward the Sun
toward the Sun half of the year and away from the Sun the other half
always away from the Sun
toward the Sun for half a day and away from the Sun the other half
If you are located at 20°N latitude, when will the Sun appear directly overhead?
Never
Once a year
twice a year
Four times a week
If you are located on the equator (0° latitude), when will the Sun appear directly overhead?
Never
Once a year
Twice a year
Four times a year
If you are located at 40°N latitude, when will the Sun appear directly overhead?
Never
Once a year
Twice a year
Four times a year
During the equinoxes
a vertical stick in the equator will not cast a shadow at noon
at noon the Sun is directly overhead at 0° latitude
daylight and night are of equal length
All of the above are correct
Evidence that Earth is rotating is provided by
varying length of night and day during a year
seasonal climatic changes
stellar parallax
a pendulum
In about 12,000 years, the star Vega will be the North Star, not Polaris, because of Earth’s
uneven equinox
tilted axis
precession
recession
The significance of the tropic of Cancer (23.5°N latitude) is that
the Sun appears directly overhead north of this latitude some time during a year
the Sun appears directly overhead south of this latitude some time during a year
the Sun appears above the horizon all day for six months during the summer north of this latitude
the Sun appears above the horizon all day for six months during the summer south of this latitude
The significance of the Arctic Circle (66.5°N latitude) is that
the Sun appears directly overhead north of this latitude sometime during a year
the Sun appears directly overhead south of this latitude sometime during a year
the Sun appears above the horizon all day at least one day during the summer
the Sun appears above the horizon all day for six months during the summer
In the time 1 p.m., the p.m. means
“past morning.”
“past midnight.”
“before the meridian.”
“after the meridian.”
Clock time is based on
sundial time
an averaged apparent solar time
the apparent local solar time
the apparent local noon
An apparent solar day is
the interval between two consecutive local solar noons
about 4 minutes longer than the sidereal day
of variable length throughout the year
All of the above are correct
The time as read from a sundial is the same as the time read from a clock
all the time
only once a year
twice a year
four times a year
You are traveling west by jet and cross three time zone boundaries. If your watch reads 3 p.m. when you arrive, you should reset it to
12 noon
6 p.m
12 midnight
6 a.m
If it is Sunday when you cross the international date line while traveling westward, the next day is
Wednesday
Sunday
Tuesday
Saturday
What has happened to the surface of the Moon during the last 3 billion years?
Heavy meteorite bombardment, producing craters
Widespread lava flooding from the interior
Both widespread lava flooding and meteorite bombardment
Not much
If you see a full moon, an astronaut on the Moon looking back at Earth at the same time would see a
full Earth
new Earth
first quarter Earth
last quarter Earth
A lunar eclipse can occur only during the moon phase of
full moon
new moon
first quarter
last quarter
A total solar eclipse can occur only during the moon phase of
full moon
new moon
first quarter
last quarter
A lunar eclipse does not occur every month because
the plane of the Moon’s orbit is inclined to the ecliptic
of precession
Earth moves faster in its orbit when closest to the Sun
Earth’s axis is tilted with respect to the Sun.
The smallest range between high and low tides occurs during
full moon
new moon
quarter moon phases
an eclipse
Earth’s axis points toward
constellation Aquarius
constellation Leo
the North Star
Vega
At the summer solstice, the Sun is
low in the Northern Hemisphere sky
high in the Northern Hemisphere sky
directly over the tropic of Capricorn
directly over the equator
Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon in a nearly straight line. This positioning results in a (an
lunar eclipse.
solar eclipse
annular eclipse
new moon
How many moons in Jupiter?
79
97
76
76
The hottest planet in the solar system
Venus
Mercury
Mars
Uranus
How far is Earth from the Sun?
0.4 AU
0.7 AU
1.0 AU
1.5 AU
The moons in Neptune are..
14
15
27
28
The famous gas planet...
Neptune
Uranus
Saturn
Jupiter
Which of the following planets is not part of the group?
Mercury
Venus
Neptune
Mars
The 4th largest moon in the solar system
Titan
Callisto
IO
Luna
The most volcanically active body in the solar system.
IO
Callisto
Europa
Ganymede
