ASTRO 10 (EXAM #1) UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is the difference between the daily and annual motions of the sun? - CORRECT
ANSWER -
Why are the seasons reversed in the southern hemisphere relative to the northern hemisphere? -
CORRECT ANSWER - The Earth's tilt of the Axis causes the northern hemisphere to be
pointed closer to the sun in early-mid time of the year, whereas the southern hemisphere is
further away; thus creating opposite seasons. Vice Versa.
Do the phases of the moon look the same from every place on the Earth, or is the moon full at
different times as seen from different locations? - CORRECT ANSWER - The moon looks
the same on all points of the Earth, just appears different throughout the day; the moon follows
the phases in a 29 day cycle.
Why have most people seen a total lunar eclipse, while few have seen a total solar eclipse? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Total solar eclipses are only visible from certain points on the
Earth, whereas Lunar eclipses are visible from all points meaning anyone can go outside to view
it.
Why isn't there an eclipse at every new moon and at every full moon? - CORRECT
ANSWER - the Moon's orbit is tilted relative to the plane of Earth's orbit about the Sun by
about 5° (imagine two hula hoops with a common center, but tilted a bit). As a result, during
most months, the Moon is sufficiently above or below the ecliptic plane to avoid an eclipse. But
when the two paths cross (twice a year), it is then "eclipse season" and eclipses are possible.
Why is the moon red during a total lunar eclipse? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
illumination on the eclipsed Moon is sunlight that has been bent into Earth's shadow by passing
through Earth's atmosphere.
Explain how Kepler's laws contradict uniform circular motion. - CORRECT ANSWER -?
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is the difference between the daily and annual motions of the sun? - CORRECT
ANSWER -
Why are the seasons reversed in the southern hemisphere relative to the northern hemisphere? -
CORRECT ANSWER - The Earth's tilt of the Axis causes the northern hemisphere to be
pointed closer to the sun in early-mid time of the year, whereas the southern hemisphere is
further away; thus creating opposite seasons. Vice Versa.
Do the phases of the moon look the same from every place on the Earth, or is the moon full at
different times as seen from different locations? - CORRECT ANSWER - The moon looks
the same on all points of the Earth, just appears different throughout the day; the moon follows
the phases in a 29 day cycle.
Why have most people seen a total lunar eclipse, while few have seen a total solar eclipse? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Total solar eclipses are only visible from certain points on the
Earth, whereas Lunar eclipses are visible from all points meaning anyone can go outside to view
it.
Why isn't there an eclipse at every new moon and at every full moon? - CORRECT
ANSWER - the Moon's orbit is tilted relative to the plane of Earth's orbit about the Sun by
about 5° (imagine two hula hoops with a common center, but tilted a bit). As a result, during
most months, the Moon is sufficiently above or below the ecliptic plane to avoid an eclipse. But
when the two paths cross (twice a year), it is then "eclipse season" and eclipses are possible.
Why is the moon red during a total lunar eclipse? - CORRECT ANSWER - The
illumination on the eclipsed Moon is sunlight that has been bent into Earth's shadow by passing
through Earth's atmosphere.
Explain how Kepler's laws contradict uniform circular motion. - CORRECT ANSWER -?
