Quiz M1 - Ancient Astronomy

Which of the following is the shape of the Earth according to ancient Greeks?

• cylinder

• octagon

• flat disx

• sphere

What is the shape of the Earth as described by modern astronomy?

• ellipsoid

• oblate spheroid

• hyperboloid

• oblate paraloid

Which of the following ancient Greek philosophers computed for the circumference of the Earth?

• Anaxagoras

• Pythagoras

• Eratosthenes

• Aristotle

According to Eratosthenes' computations, what is the circumference of the Earth?

• 250,000 stadia

• 7.2 stadia

• 500 stadia

• 40,000 stadia

Which of the following is 250 000 stadia equal to?

• 40,000 kilometers

• 40,000 miles

• 40,000 meters

• 40,000 inches

In which of the following events can the circular shadow of the Earth be observed most notably?

• solar eclipse

• summer solstice

• lunar eclipse

• winter solstice

Which of the following describes the position of the North Star if you go nearer the equator?

• Closer to the horizon

• Farther away from the horizon

• The North Star is fixed wherever you are on the Earth

• It disappears completely

Which of the following can be observed of a cruising ship if the Earth is a flat disc?

• It will shrink then only the sail will be visible until it completely disappears.

• It will become bigger and bigger.

• It will not change its size.

• It will become smaller and smaller until it disappears.

During which time did Eratosthenes observe the shadows cast by a vertical stick?

• noon time in summer solstice

• noon time in winter solstice

• during a lunar eclipse

• during a solar eclipse

According to Eratosthenes, which of the following explains why a vertical stick casts a shadow in Alexandria but not in Syene?

I.The Sun is directly overhead in Syene while in Alexandria, it is only almost directly overhead.

II. The light rays coming from the sun are parallel, and the Earth is curved.

III. The light rays coming from the sun are curved, and the Earth is flat.

IV. The Sun is directly overhead in Alexandria while in Syene, it is only almost directly overhead.

• I only

• I and II

• III and IV

• II and IV