Astronomy Chapter

The occasional westward (left to right) motion of planets across the celestial sphere is called:

• retrograde rotation
• retrograde revolution
• retrograde motion
• reverse motion

The shape of a Mars’s orbit around the Sun is best described as a(n):

• ellipse
• circle
• hyperbola
• parabola

The configuration with Venus at the largest angle from the Sun is called? 

• superior conjunction
• inferior conjunction
• greatest elongation    
• opposition    

The Sun is at one focus of the Earth’s elliptical orbit.  What is at the other focus?

• our moon
• Jupiter
• Venus
• nothing

An orbit with which of the following eccentricities is most circular?

• 0.10
• 0.25
• 0.72
• 0.90

In what phase is Venus closest to the Earth?

• new
• quarter phase
• full
• gibbous phase

In what phase of Venus can we sometimes see that planet eclipsed by the Sun?

• new
• crescent phase
• quarter phase
• full

When a planet is directly between the Earth and the Sun it is said to be in what configuration?

• Inferior conjunction  
• Superior conjunction
• Elongation
• Opposition

True or False: Parallax describes the variation in angle that occurs when viewing nearby objects from different places.

• True
• False

A planet closer to the Sun will have…   

• …a longer year than a planet further from the Sun.
• …a shorter year than a planet further from the Sun.   
• …the same length year as a planet further from the Sun.