PHY 150 Astronomy Midterm NOVA Exam Questions with correct answers
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) - ✅✅Polish physician and lawyer who began the demolition of the
geocentric model and the revolution in astronomical ideas that continues to this day. Created a
heliocentric model in De revoluctions orbium ceolestium that explained retrograde motion and why
Venus and Mercury never move very far from the sun. Also was able to use geometry to determine each
planet's distance from the sun
Believed in Heliocentric
Tycho Brahe - ✅✅Danish astronomer whose observations showed the superiority of the heliocentric
over the geocentric system and revealed the true shape of planetary orbits. His observations suggested
that the heavens were both changeable and more complex than was previously believed.
geoheliocentric believer- provided an alternative to the Ptolemaic geocentric system
Johannes Kepler - ✅✅The young assistant to Brahe who was able to use the information from Brahe
to get a detailed picture of the path of Mars that was not circular but elliptical. (pencil and string with
two thumbtacks creates an ellipse). Responsible for discovering shape of planetary objects and
measured relative size of orbit. His discoveries of the nature of planetary motions are expressed in what
are known today as Keplers three laws. Came up with name satellites.
he developed a heliocentric model
Galileo Galilei - ✅✅Italian scientist who was interested in celestial motion and all aspects of motion.
Used the newly invented telescope to study astronomical objects. Did not invent the telescope but was
first to use it to study heavens. Discovered four moons of Jupiter.
contributions supported the heliocentric model.
Isaac Newton - ✅✅deduced the law of gravity and discovered mathematical methods for calculating
gravitational force of spherical body when no methods were then available. His discoveries still form the
core for most of our understanding of gravity and the motion of bodies. Laws of motion and gravity.
, heliocentric
Aristotle - ✅✅Started to give his observations about the universe. Taught that the sun and moon and
other planets orbit the earth, creating the geocentric theory.
Believed the earth was round?
Erathosenes - ✅✅Greek Scholar,
invented longitude and latitude
He was able to calculate the circumference of the earth and calculate the earth's axial tilt with
remarkable accuracy.
Supported heliocentric theory
William Herschel - ✅✅One of the first professional astronomers who discovered infrared radiation.
He developed cosmogony.
He discovered Uranus. Introduced the term asteroid. Measured Mars's axial tilt.
Heliocentric
Lunar phases in order - ✅✅New moon, waxing crescent, 1st quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon,
waning gibbous, 3rd quarter, waning crescent, new moon
new moon phase - ✅✅
Waxing Crescent Moon - ✅✅
1st quarter moon - ✅✅
Waxing Gibbous - ✅✅
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) - ✅✅Polish physician and lawyer who began the demolition of the
geocentric model and the revolution in astronomical ideas that continues to this day. Created a
heliocentric model in De revoluctions orbium ceolestium that explained retrograde motion and why
Venus and Mercury never move very far from the sun. Also was able to use geometry to determine each
planet's distance from the sun
Believed in Heliocentric
Tycho Brahe - ✅✅Danish astronomer whose observations showed the superiority of the heliocentric
over the geocentric system and revealed the true shape of planetary orbits. His observations suggested
that the heavens were both changeable and more complex than was previously believed.
geoheliocentric believer- provided an alternative to the Ptolemaic geocentric system
Johannes Kepler - ✅✅The young assistant to Brahe who was able to use the information from Brahe
to get a detailed picture of the path of Mars that was not circular but elliptical. (pencil and string with
two thumbtacks creates an ellipse). Responsible for discovering shape of planetary objects and
measured relative size of orbit. His discoveries of the nature of planetary motions are expressed in what
are known today as Keplers three laws. Came up with name satellites.
he developed a heliocentric model
Galileo Galilei - ✅✅Italian scientist who was interested in celestial motion and all aspects of motion.
Used the newly invented telescope to study astronomical objects. Did not invent the telescope but was
first to use it to study heavens. Discovered four moons of Jupiter.
contributions supported the heliocentric model.
Isaac Newton - ✅✅deduced the law of gravity and discovered mathematical methods for calculating
gravitational force of spherical body when no methods were then available. His discoveries still form the
core for most of our understanding of gravity and the motion of bodies. Laws of motion and gravity.
, heliocentric
Aristotle - ✅✅Started to give his observations about the universe. Taught that the sun and moon and
other planets orbit the earth, creating the geocentric theory.
Believed the earth was round?
Erathosenes - ✅✅Greek Scholar,
invented longitude and latitude
He was able to calculate the circumference of the earth and calculate the earth's axial tilt with
remarkable accuracy.
Supported heliocentric theory
William Herschel - ✅✅One of the first professional astronomers who discovered infrared radiation.
He developed cosmogony.
He discovered Uranus. Introduced the term asteroid. Measured Mars's axial tilt.
Heliocentric
Lunar phases in order - ✅✅New moon, waxing crescent, 1st quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon,
waning gibbous, 3rd quarter, waning crescent, new moon
new moon phase - ✅✅
Waxing Crescent Moon - ✅✅
1st quarter moon - ✅✅
Waxing Gibbous - ✅✅
