AST 101 - LECTURE PART CH.1 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE 2026
Because so many astronomical phenomena are _______—that is, they repeat day after
day and year after year—they can serve as timekeepers. - Answers cyclical
Identify the true statements about the celestial sphere model.
- The dome seems to stretch to where the sky meets the ground along the horizon.
- We imagine that the stars lie on the inside of a gigantic dome that stretches
overhead.
- We treat all stars as being at the same distance from Earth.
- When we stand on Earth, we can see the entire celestial sphere. - Answers - The
dome seems to stretch to where the sky meets the ground along the horizon.
- We imagine that the stars lie on the inside of a gigantic dome that stretches
overhead.
- We treat all stars as being at the same distance from Earth.
The celestial sphere describes the position of stars in a way which makes the Universe
easier to comprehend. This is a good example of a? - Answers Model
A(n) ____ is a grouping of stars that represents a story or symbol of consequence to a
culture and can be handy for locating objects on the celestial sphere. - Answers
Constellation
Select all the statements about constellations that are true.
- The stars in each constellation are all at the same distance from Earth.
- Many constellations represent animals.
- Constellations change once in a year.
- Cultures often linked the appearance of constellations to seasonal events. - Answers
- Many constellations represent animals.
- Cultures often linked the appearance of constellations to seasonal events.
Which is not a reason that astronomical phenomena well known to ancient people are
not nearly so familiar to people living today? - Answers Astronomy is no longer
impactful since we have electricity.
Why is the concept of the celestial sphere useful to us?
- It represents the actual distances to the stars in our galaxy.
- It accurately portrays the way stars move through space.
- It is a convenient way to visualize the motion of celestial bodies.
, - It is a convenient way to describe the location of celestial bodies. - Answers - It is a
convenient way to visualize the motion of celestial bodies.
- It is a convenient way to describe the location of celestial bodies.
Which celestial objects rise in the east and set in the west as seen from Earth?
- stars near the celestial equator
- Jupiter
- circumpolar stars
- the Sun
- the Moon - Answers - stars near the celestial equator
- Jupiter
- the Sun
- the Moon
Scientific models are _______.
- representations of nature
- typically only useful over specific ranges of sizes or conditions
- used to predict behavior or outcomes
- always accurate descriptions of nature - Answers - representations of nature
- typically only useful over specific ranges of sizes or conditions
- used to predict behavior or outcomes
In the celestial sphere model, why does a person standing on Earth only see half of the
sphere in the night sky? - Answers It is below the horizon.
What is a constellation?
- a group of stars that form a fixed pattern in the sky
- an area of the sky for conveniently locating objects
- one of the 12 zodiac signs
- a group of stars located close to each other in our Galaxy - Answers - a group of
stars that form a fixed pattern in the sky
- an area of the sky for conveniently locating objects
Why does the Sun appear to rise and set? - Answers Because of Earth's rotation.
The stars of a constellation are found close together in space. - Answers False
What causes constellations to be visible only at certain times of the year? - Answers
Constellations are in the sky every day, but if the Sun is in the same part of the sky, a
constellation cannot be seen due to the Sun's glare.
LATEST UPDATE 2026
Because so many astronomical phenomena are _______—that is, they repeat day after
day and year after year—they can serve as timekeepers. - Answers cyclical
Identify the true statements about the celestial sphere model.
- The dome seems to stretch to where the sky meets the ground along the horizon.
- We imagine that the stars lie on the inside of a gigantic dome that stretches
overhead.
- We treat all stars as being at the same distance from Earth.
- When we stand on Earth, we can see the entire celestial sphere. - Answers - The
dome seems to stretch to where the sky meets the ground along the horizon.
- We imagine that the stars lie on the inside of a gigantic dome that stretches
overhead.
- We treat all stars as being at the same distance from Earth.
The celestial sphere describes the position of stars in a way which makes the Universe
easier to comprehend. This is a good example of a? - Answers Model
A(n) ____ is a grouping of stars that represents a story or symbol of consequence to a
culture and can be handy for locating objects on the celestial sphere. - Answers
Constellation
Select all the statements about constellations that are true.
- The stars in each constellation are all at the same distance from Earth.
- Many constellations represent animals.
- Constellations change once in a year.
- Cultures often linked the appearance of constellations to seasonal events. - Answers
- Many constellations represent animals.
- Cultures often linked the appearance of constellations to seasonal events.
Which is not a reason that astronomical phenomena well known to ancient people are
not nearly so familiar to people living today? - Answers Astronomy is no longer
impactful since we have electricity.
Why is the concept of the celestial sphere useful to us?
- It represents the actual distances to the stars in our galaxy.
- It accurately portrays the way stars move through space.
- It is a convenient way to visualize the motion of celestial bodies.
, - It is a convenient way to describe the location of celestial bodies. - Answers - It is a
convenient way to visualize the motion of celestial bodies.
- It is a convenient way to describe the location of celestial bodies.
Which celestial objects rise in the east and set in the west as seen from Earth?
- stars near the celestial equator
- Jupiter
- circumpolar stars
- the Sun
- the Moon - Answers - stars near the celestial equator
- Jupiter
- the Sun
- the Moon
Scientific models are _______.
- representations of nature
- typically only useful over specific ranges of sizes or conditions
- used to predict behavior or outcomes
- always accurate descriptions of nature - Answers - representations of nature
- typically only useful over specific ranges of sizes or conditions
- used to predict behavior or outcomes
In the celestial sphere model, why does a person standing on Earth only see half of the
sphere in the night sky? - Answers It is below the horizon.
What is a constellation?
- a group of stars that form a fixed pattern in the sky
- an area of the sky for conveniently locating objects
- one of the 12 zodiac signs
- a group of stars located close to each other in our Galaxy - Answers - a group of
stars that form a fixed pattern in the sky
- an area of the sky for conveniently locating objects
Why does the Sun appear to rise and set? - Answers Because of Earth's rotation.
The stars of a constellation are found close together in space. - Answers False
What causes constellations to be visible only at certain times of the year? - Answers
Constellations are in the sky every day, but if the Sun is in the same part of the sky, a
constellation cannot be seen due to the Sun's glare.
