(E) Paper 1 exam questions wrong

Question 1

State why the constellations Gemini and Cancer are referred to as ‘Zodiacal constellations’

Answer 1

Its on the ecliptic/ sun passes through them

Question 2

State 2 major causes of inaccuracy in Aristarchus’ value for the Earth-Sun Distance

Answer 2

• Measuring angle close to 90 degrees
• Compound error from using earlier measurements

Question 3

Give 2 observational advantages of using a planisphere rather than a star chart

Answer 3

• Can determine what celestial objects are
  visible/above the horizon on a given date/time
  (allow shows the horizon) (1)
• Can determine the rising/setting/culmination times
  for celestial objects (1)
• Can determine the local position/orientation of celestial object (in the sky)
• Can be adjusted to the time/month/year of the observation

Question 4

Give 2 observational disadvantages of using a planisphere rather than a star chart

Answer 4

• Planisphere designed for a specific latitude on Earth/star chart can be used anywhere on Earth.
• Planispheres only show part of the celestial sphere

Question 5

The moon is a waxing crescent at a latitude of 60*N

How would the moon appear on the equator and a latitude of 60*S?

Answer 5

On the equator, the moon would be on its side
(Moon rotated through 90 degrees either clockwise or anti-clockwise.)

At a latitude of 60*S, the moon would be reversed
(Moon rotated through 180 degrees)

Question 6

Describe the appearance of the milky way with the naked eye

Answer 6

(Faint) band of light

Question 7

Give 1 reason why the pinhole projection method may not be suitable when observing the milky way

Answer 7

The milky way is too faint for the image to be seen

Question 8

Which of the following cannot show the observer’s horizon?
A) computer program
B) phone app
C) planisphere
D) star map

Answer 8

Star map

Question 9

In which season is the constellation of Virgo easiest to observe? And why?

Answer 9

In the spring. As the sun located in Virgo in autumn

Question 10

To measure Apparent Solar Time accurately, a sundial must be correctly aligned.

State two ways of ensuring this.

Answer 10

• Gnomon/shadow caster must point north
• Gnomon/shadow caster must be set to the correct
  angle/latitude
• Gnomon/shadow caster must point to the pole star
• Sundial must be level

Question 11

State two differences between seeing conditions and weather

Answer 11

Seeing is a measure of how still a star/object will appear
(allow how much stars appear to twinkle/atmospheric
stability) (1)
Weather affects the transparency of the sky (1)