Astronomy Chapter 4: Earth, Moon, and Sky Quiz

At which of the following locations on Earth is the direction we call East not clearly defined?

• a. the latitude of Greenwich, England
• b. the coast of the U.S. which borders on the Atlantic Ocean
• c. the North Pole
• d. the equator

The number of degrees of arc that your location is north or south of the Earth's equator is called your:

• a. latitude
• b. longitude
• c. declination
• d. meridian

What would you have to change about the Earth to stop our planet from having significantly different seasons?

• a. its distance from the Sun
• b. its diameter
• c. the amount of water on its surface
• d. the tilt of its axis

A "New Age" bride and groom, who are enchanted by the Sun, want to get married on the day when it gets to be highest in the sky. If they live in the United States, around what day of the year will the wedding take place?

• a. winter solstice
• b. spring equinox
• c. autumnal equinox
• d. summer solstice

In Australia (in the Southern Hemisphere), when are the days the shortest and the nights the longest?

• a. in late December
• b. in late March
• c. in late June
• d. in late April

In what location on Earth could an eager math student NOT use her solar-powered calculator at any time at all during the course of a day in June?

• a. the North Pole
• b. the equator
• c. the South Pole
• d. anywhere on the International Date Line

Some students decide to form a secret society that would meet each year after graduation at a time when the day and night were the same length. Which of the following would be a time they could meet?

• a. January 1
• b. December 22
• c. September 23
• d. June 22

The time it takes for the Sun to return to the same place in our sky after the Earth has rotated once is called:

• a. a solar day
• b. a sidereal day
• c. the ante meridian time
• d. a year

A dashing Romanian count asks his sweetheart to marry him. She says she will give her reply when the Moon is full. If he asked when the Moon was at first quarter, how long will he have to wait?

• a. about a month
• b. about a week
• c. about a day
• d. about three weeks

What phase of the Moon must it be to have a solar eclipse?

• a. full moon
• b. new moon
• c. first quarter
• d. third quarter