AST1002 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 UPDATED EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
◉ The Local Group is the environment around:
the Sun that contains about a dozen stars.
the Milky Way that contains a few dozen galaxies
the Sun that contains more than a billion stars.
the Milky Way that contains a few thousand galaxies. Answer: the
Milky Way that contains a few dozen galaxies
◉ Which of the following is FALSE?
The Local Group is a member of the Virgo Supercluster, which
contains thousands of galaxies.
The Local Group contains two large spiral galaxies and a few dozen
dwarf galaxies.
Our Solar System has eight planets.
The Milky Way Galaxy contains approximately 100 million stars.
Answer: The Local Group is a member of the Virgo Supercluster,
which contains thousands of galaxies.
,◉ ___________is the idea that the simplest explanation for a
phenomenon is usually the correct one.
Newton's hypothesis
Occam's razor
Aristotle's test
Einstein's excuse Answer: Occam's razor
◉ Earth's rotational axis precesses in space and completes one
revolution every:
200 years.
1,800 years.
26,000 years.
180,000 years. Answer: 26,000 years.
◉ In regard to the phase of the Moon, the term waxing means:
less than half-illuminated.
more than half-illuminated.
becoming smaller.
,increasing in brightness. Answer: increasing in brightness.
◉ At what time does the waxing gibbous phase rise?
3 P.M.
9 A.M.
3 A.M.
9 P.M. Answer: 3 P.M.
◉ The force of gravity between Earth and the Sun is ________ the force
of gravity between Earth and the Moon. For reference, the average
distance between Earth and the Moon is 0.003 AU, the mass of the
Moonis7×1022 kg,andthemassoftheSunis2×1030 kg.
86,000 times larger than
260 times larger than
140 times smaller than
6,400 times smaller than Answer: 260 times larger than
◉ The speed of light in a vacuum is:
300,000 m/s.
300,000 mph.
, 300,000 km/s.
300,000,000 mph. Answer: 300,000 km/s.
◉ The speed of a light wave:
is altered by a refractive medium.
is reduced whenever reflection occurs.
is not altered by reflection or refraction.
is not altered by refraction. Answer: is altered by a refractive
medium.
◉ Why do reflecting telescopes usually have a secondary mirror in
addition to a primary mirror?
to increase the light-gathering power
to make the telescope shorter
to increase the focal length
to combat chromatic aberration Answer: to make the telescope
shorter
◉ What causes molecular clouds to collapse?
conservation of charge
2026 UPDATED EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
◉ The Local Group is the environment around:
the Sun that contains about a dozen stars.
the Milky Way that contains a few dozen galaxies
the Sun that contains more than a billion stars.
the Milky Way that contains a few thousand galaxies. Answer: the
Milky Way that contains a few dozen galaxies
◉ Which of the following is FALSE?
The Local Group is a member of the Virgo Supercluster, which
contains thousands of galaxies.
The Local Group contains two large spiral galaxies and a few dozen
dwarf galaxies.
Our Solar System has eight planets.
The Milky Way Galaxy contains approximately 100 million stars.
Answer: The Local Group is a member of the Virgo Supercluster,
which contains thousands of galaxies.
,◉ ___________is the idea that the simplest explanation for a
phenomenon is usually the correct one.
Newton's hypothesis
Occam's razor
Aristotle's test
Einstein's excuse Answer: Occam's razor
◉ Earth's rotational axis precesses in space and completes one
revolution every:
200 years.
1,800 years.
26,000 years.
180,000 years. Answer: 26,000 years.
◉ In regard to the phase of the Moon, the term waxing means:
less than half-illuminated.
more than half-illuminated.
becoming smaller.
,increasing in brightness. Answer: increasing in brightness.
◉ At what time does the waxing gibbous phase rise?
3 P.M.
9 A.M.
3 A.M.
9 P.M. Answer: 3 P.M.
◉ The force of gravity between Earth and the Sun is ________ the force
of gravity between Earth and the Moon. For reference, the average
distance between Earth and the Moon is 0.003 AU, the mass of the
Moonis7×1022 kg,andthemassoftheSunis2×1030 kg.
86,000 times larger than
260 times larger than
140 times smaller than
6,400 times smaller than Answer: 260 times larger than
◉ The speed of light in a vacuum is:
300,000 m/s.
300,000 mph.
, 300,000 km/s.
300,000,000 mph. Answer: 300,000 km/s.
◉ The speed of a light wave:
is altered by a refractive medium.
is reduced whenever reflection occurs.
is not altered by reflection or refraction.
is not altered by refraction. Answer: is altered by a refractive
medium.
◉ Why do reflecting telescopes usually have a secondary mirror in
addition to a primary mirror?
to increase the light-gathering power
to make the telescope shorter
to increase the focal length
to combat chromatic aberration Answer: to make the telescope
shorter
◉ What causes molecular clouds to collapse?
conservation of charge
