Astronomy Test- Study Guide

Question 1

what is precession?

Answer 1

Change in direction of the axis, but without any change in tilt

Question 2

What is nutation?

Answer 2

a change in the angle 1/2 degree on way or another

Question 3

What color are objects moving away from Earth? Towards? What principle does this have to due with?

Answer 3

Away- red
Towards- blue
Red Shift Principle

Question 4

What causes seasons?

Answer 4

Angle of the sun is hitting the earth plus the revolution of the earth.

Question 5

What are the two solstices?

Answer 5

Summer solstice, winter solstice

Question 6

When does the summer solstice occur?

Answer 6

June 21-22

Question 7

When does the winter solstice occur?

Answer 7

December 21-22

Question 8

What are the two equinox?

Answer 8

Vernal, Autumnal

Question 9

When does the vernal equinox occur?

Answer 9

March 21

Question 10

When does the autumnal equinox occur?

Answer 10

September 21

Question 11

When the alignment is sun, earth, moon, which eclipse is occurring?

Answer 11

Lunar

Question 12

When the alignment is sun, moon, earth, what eclipse is occurring?

Answer 12

Solar

Question 13

Which eclipse occurs the most often?

Answer 13

Lunar

Question 14

How long does it take the moon to rotate?

Answer 14

27.3 days

Question 15

How come you can see a new moon but a full moon?

Answer 15

• New moon has the sunlight pointing directly at it

- Full moon, sun is on the opposite side of the earth, no sunlight reaches moon

Question 16

what is a barycenter?

Answer 16

the common center of mass around which two or more bodies revolve