Download Astronomy Quiz 2

Astronomy Quiz 2
1. Scientists use the term “light year” to describe
a. how fast light travels in space.
b. the distance light travels in one year.
c. how large the diameters of different stars are.
d. the time it takes the Sun to move through the galaxy.
2. The Sun is a star that exists in which galaxy?
a. Andromeda
c. Milky Way
b. Orion
d. Solar System
3. What type of galaxy is pictured to the right?
a. Elliptical
c. Spiral
b. Irregular
d. Circular
4. How far from Earth is an object that is 10 light years away from Earth?
a. 10,000 km
c. The distance light can travel in 10 years
b. 10,000,000 km
d. Ten times the distance from Earth to the Sun
5. Evidence shows that stars and galaxies are moving away from Earth, some faster than others, which
BEST suggests that the universe
a. is shrinking.
c. was not formed by a big bang.
b. is expanding.
d. has always been the same size.
6. Light from objects that are moving toward Earth shift toward the blue end of the spectrum. Light from
objects moving away from Earth shift toward the red end of the spectrum. This wave concept is known
as what?
a. Reflection of light
c. Refraction of light
b. Kepler’s empirical laws
d. The Doppler effect
7. Which theory do many astronomers believe explains that the universe began with a period of extreme
and rapid expansion?
a. Big Bang Theory
c. Red Shift Theory
b. Radiation Theory
d. Butterfly Effect Theory
8. Based on evidence of the Red Shift of stars and galaxies, scientist now know that
a. stars are sitting still.
c. stars are moving away from one another.
b. stars are moving toward one another.
d. stars are all near the end of their life.
9. The objects people refer to as shooting stars are often meteors burning up in Earth’s atmosphere. If a
meteor does not burn up but strikes Earth, it is called
a. An asteroid
c. A meteoroid
b. A meteorite
d. A satellite
10. Rocky bodies that orbit between Mars and Jupiter are _______________.
a. meteors
c. moons
b. comets
d. asteroids
11. The outer planets are considerably larger than the inner planets. What’s another name for the outer
planets?
a. Gas giants
c. Moons
b. Terrestrial planets
d. Rocky planets
12. Due to solar winds, the tail of a comet usually faces
a. away from the Earth.
c. toward the Earth.
b. toward the Sun.
d. away from the Sun.
13. Which planetary body has the GREATEST gravitational pull?
a. Jupiter
c. The moon
b. Neptune
d. Earth
14. The Sun has more gravity than the other planets in our solar system because the Sun
a. is hotter.
c. has a greater mass.
b. is made of plasma.
d. is undergoing fusion.
15. Which factor is MOST responsible for the ocean tides?
a. The moon’s gravity
c. Earthquakes
b. The sun’s gravity
d. The wind
16. If objects A and B are the same mass but object B is further from the planet, which has a greater
attraction for the planet?
a. Object A
b. Object B
Planet
Object A
Object B
c. Neither
d. Both
17. Which of the following is responsible for seasons on Earth?
a. The 23.5 degree tilt of Earth’s axis
b. The gravitational pull of the moon
c. The revolution of the planets around the Sun
d. The tides
18. In the image provided above, which season would occur in the southern hemisphere?
a. Winter
c. Summer
b. Spring
d. Fall
19. In the image provided above, which season would occur in the northern hemisphere?
a. Winter
c. Summer
b. Spring
d. Fall
20. The days of the year when day and night last the same amount time are called:
a. Rotation
c. Solstices
b. Axis
d. Equinoxes
21. Using the image provided above, which points on the Earth would experience high tide?
a. B only
c. C only
b. B and D
d. A and C
22. Using the image provided above, which points on Earth would experience low tide?
a. B only
c. C only
b. B and D
d. A and C
M
Earth
Sun
23. According to the diagram above, which moon phase is shown?
a. New moon
b. Full moon
c. 1st Quarter
d. 3rd Quarter
24. Using the image above, what type of eclipse is occurring?
a. Gibbous eclipse
c. Solar eclipse
b. Lunar eclipse
d. Full eclipse
25. In 1976, the Viking I Lander was sent to Mars to analyze atmospheric gases and soil samples. The
Viking I Lander was most likely a
a. Space Probe
c. Satellite
b. Space Observatory
d. Spectroscope
26. The instrument shown below is used by astronomers to collect incoming electromagnetic waves. What
is the name of this instrument?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Space probe
Solar collector
Radio telescope
Orbiting satellite
27. What information about stars can be learned by using a spectroscope?
a. Elements it contains
c. Size
b. Distance from Earth
d. Speed
28. Mr. Bartley looks at stars from his backyard. He uses an optical telescope which takes in light, bounces
it off of mirrors into his eyepiece, and magnifies faraway objects. Which type of space tool is he using?
a. Radio telescope
c. Spectroscope
b. Refracting telescope
d. Reflecting telescope