Astronomy Quiz #2

a region of the celestial sphere

Most constellations will be unrecognizable hundreds of years from now.

It represents an extension of Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere

the Sun's apparent path along the celestial sphere

No, because the stars, gas, and dust of the Milky Way block us from seeing them

a half-circle extending from your horizon due north, through your zenith, to your horizon due south

3,600

The angular distance between those two bright stars in the sky is about 2 meters

They always remain above your horizon.

It appears very near the north celestial pole.

latitude and longitude.

The altitude of the NCP is the same as your latitude.

As Earth goes around the Sun and Earth's axis remains pointed toward Polaris, the Northern and Southern hemispheres alternately receive more and less direct sunlight.

The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun and receives more direct sunlight

It is possible to have two full Moons during January, but not during Februar

half Moon

full.

third quarter.

midnight

because the Moon's rotational and orbital periods are equal

The Moon's distance from Earth varies during its orbit.

The orbital plane of the Moon is tilted by about 5° to the ecliptic plane.

The phase of the Moon must be new, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun.

The phase of the Moon must be full, and the nodes of the Moon's orbit must be nearly aligned with Earth and the Sun.

partial lunar eclipse.

the 18-year cycle over which the pattern of eclipses repeats

The planet appears to move eastward with respect to the stars over a period of many nights

As Earth passes another planet, the other planet appears to move backward with respect to the background stars, but the planet's motion does not really change.