Astronomy and Cosmology Quiz

A galaxy is _________.

• A large collection of stars, gas, and dust

• A single planet in the solar system

• A type of comet

• A small asteroid

Which of the following is a way the Earth moves in space?

• Rotation

• Translation

• Jumping-Jacks

• Vibration

In which direction does the Earth spin on its axis?

• Clockwise

• Counterclockwise

• Upward

• Downward

What is the tilt of the Earth's axis responsible for?

• Day and night

• Seasons

• Tides

• Eclipses

What is the definition of revolution in the context of astronomy?

• The spinning of a body on its axis

• The motion of a body along a path around some point in space

• The expansion of the universe

• The collision of two celestial bodies

What shape is Earth's orbit around the sun?

• Circular

• Triangular

• Elliptical

• Rectangular

How often does Earth complete one revolution around the sun?

• Once a day

• Once a month

• Once a year

• Once a decade

Which two stars does Earth's axis point to depending on where it is in a cycle of precession?

• Sirius and Betelgeuse

• Polaris and Vega

• Aldebaran and Rigel

• Procyon and Capella

Approximately how many years from now will Earth's axis of rotation line up with the star Vega?

• 5,000 years

• 12,000 years

• 20,000 years

• 26,000 years

In the diagram on slide 12, which letter refers to the rotational force?

• Part P

• Part N

• Part R

• None of the above