3. Celestial Cycles Flashcards
Fill in the blank.
Seasons occur on Earth because Earth’s axis of rotation is tilted with respect to the ______.
Ecliptic
Fill in the blank.
The period of the phases of the Moon is referred to as the ______ month.
Synodic
Fill in the blank.
For a solar eclipse to occur, the Moon must be at the ______ phase
New
Fill in the blank.
A(n) ______ star is the name used to identify a planet visible in the sky just after sunset
Evening
Select the best answer.
When the moon is located in a direct line and between Earth and the Sun, the phase is called
** A.) full moon**
** B.) last quarter**
** C.) new moon**
** D.) first quarter**
The answer is C.) new moon.
Select the best answer.
The angle formed by the Sun, Earth and the Moon with Earth at the vertex during the third-quarter phase of the Moon is
** A.) 90°**
** B.) 180°**
** C.) 45°**
** D.) 0°**
The answer is A.) 90°.
Select the best answer.
During the month of January, the constellation most readily visible around midnight in the northern hemisphere is
** A.) Cancer**
** B.) Gemini**
** C.) Taurus**
** D.) all of the above**
The answer is D.) all of the above.
Select the best answer.
The rising of the stars in the east and the setting of these stars in the west is the result of
** A.) Earth’s motion around the Sun**
** B.) The Moon’s motion around the Earth**
** C.) Earth’s rotation on its axis**
** D.) individual stellar motions unrelated to the motions of Earth.**
The answer is C.) Earth’s rotation on its axis.
Select the best answer.
The vernal equinox, the first day of spring, occurs when the Sun
** A.) reaches its highest daytime position in the northern hemisphere**
** B.) reaches its lowest daytime position in the southern hemisphere**
** C.) crosses the celestial meridian**
** D.) moves northward and crosses the celestial equator**
The answer is D.) moving northward across the celestial equator.
Select the best answer.
The winter solstice occurs when the Sun is
** A.) at its lowest position at noon when viewed by northern hemisphere observers**
** B.) near the full moon as viewed by southern hemisphere observers**
** C.) crossing the celestial equator and moving southward**
** D.) rising due east and setting due west**
The answer is A.) at its lowest position at noon when viewed by northern hemisphere observers.
Select the best answer.
In order for a total lunar eclipse to occur,
** A.) Earth must pass through the penumbra of the moon’s shadow**
** B.) the Moon must pass through the penumbra of Earth’s shadow**
** C.) the Moon must pass through the umbra of the Earth’s shadow**
** D.) Earth must pass through the umbra of the moon’s shadow**
The answer is C.) the Moon must pass through the umbra of the Earth’s shadow.
Select the best answer.
A lunar eclipse can occur only if the phase of the moon is
** A.) new**
** B.) last quarter**
** C.) waxing crescent**
** D.) full**
The answer is D.) full.
Select the best answer.
In order to observe a total solar eclipse, an individual must be located completely within the
** A.) penumbra**
** B.) umbra of the moon’s shadow**
** C.) umbra of Earth’s shadow**
** D.) penumbra of Earth’s shadow**
The answer is B.) umbra of the moon’s shadow.
Select the best answer.
Twice a year, the line of nodes points toward the Sun. When a full or new moon approaches the line of nodes at this time,
** A.) nothing happens**
** B.) a lunar eclipse is followed by a solar eclipse within two weeks**
** C.) a solar eclipse is followed by a lunar eclipse within four weeks**
** D.) an eclipse of one kind or another is possible**
The answer is D.) an eclipse of one kind or another is possible.
Select the best answer.
The Milankovitch hypothesis, stating that changes in Earth’s climate have an astronomical origin,
** A.) has been universally accepted**
** B.) has been universally rejected**
** C.) has never been taken seriously**
** D.) probably contains some truth and remains the subject of debate and testing**
The answer is D.) probably contains some truth and remains the subject of debate and testing.
