1. The celestial equator is:
a) the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun.
b) the projection of the Earth's equator on the celestial sphere.
c) when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.
d) the point in the sky directly above you.
e) the shadow of the moon on the Earth.

2. The distance from the Earth to the Sun is:
a) an astronomical unit.
b) a light year.
c) a billion miles.
d) 50,000 kilometers.
e) 24 hours right ascension.

3. The precession of the Earth's spin axis is caused by:
a) the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on the Earth's bulge.
b) the retrograde motion of Mars.
c) the gravitational pull of the zodiacal constellations.
d) the gravitational effect of the vernal equinox.
e) the gravitational pull of Venus and Mars.

4. Retrograde motion of a planet when viewed from Earth is caused by:
a) the relative motions of the Earth and the planet.
b) the inclination of its orbit to the plane of the ecliptic.
c) the non-circular orbit of the planet.
d) the gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon on the Earth.
e) the gravitational pull of the zodiacal constellations.

5. The sidereal day is equal to:
a) 23 hours 56 minutes.
b) the solar day plus 4 minutes.
c) the solar day plus 56 minutes.
d) 24 hours.
e) 29.5 days.

6. Planet A and Planet B are known to have the same physical size. Planet A has an angular size three times bigger than Planet B. Therefore:
a) Planet A is three times further away than Planet B.
b) Planet A and Planet B are the same distance from us.
c) Planet B is three times further away than Planet A.
d) Planet B is a moon of Planet A.
e) It is not possible to determine which Planet is larger.

7. Which of the following observations is NOT possible from the surface of the Earth?
a) A third quarter moon is seen at 6 AM.
b) Mars is observed on the Celestial Equator.
c) A lunar eclipse is seen at full moon.
d) The Moon's angular size is less than that of the Sun.
e) Venus is seen at midnight from near the equator of the Earth.

8. The phases of the moon are caused by:
a) The shadow of the Earth on the moon.
b) The fact that light is not instantaneous: it takes time for it to reach us from the moon.
c) The tilt of the Earth's axis.
d) Changes in the relative position of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, as the moon orbits the Earth.
e) The fact that the orbit of the moon around the Earth is not perfectly circular.

9. Where would you have to be to see the South Celestial Pole on your horizon?
a) About 1 degree away from the south pole, to account for precession.
b) The south pole of Earth.
c) The Earth's equator.
d) The north pole of Earth.
e) In Johnson City.

10. On the day of the Vernal Equinox (approximately March 21 each year), which of the following conditions hold?
a) It is the longest day of the year (in terms of length of daylight).
b) The northern hemisphere of Earth is tilted directly towards the Sun: sunlight hits the surface of Earth most directly.
c) The Sun crosses the Celestial Equator.
d) The moon, Sun, and Earth are always aligned.
e) The Sun passes through the Big Dipper.

11. The star Polaris:
a) Is always at the zenith in Johnson City.
b) Is at the zenith in Johnson City on the Vernal Equinox.
c) Is always above the horizon in Johnson City.
d) Is located on the Celestial Equator.
e) Is located near the ecliptic.

12. Lunar eclipses occur approximately:
a) every 23 hours, 56 minutes.
b) every 27.3 days.
c) every 29.5 days.
d) every six months.
e) every six years.

13. During a 3rd quarter moon:
a) it is possible to see a lunar eclipse.
b) the moon rises at noon.
c) the Earth's shadow blocks half the face of the moon.
d) the moon is visible in the morning.
e) the angle between the Sun, Earth, and Moon is 135 degrees.

14. The distance from the Earth to alpha Centauri is:
a) an astronomical unit (A.U.).
b) 4.3 astronomical units (4.3 A.U.).
c) 8.3 light minutes.
d) 4.3 light years.
e) 150,000 light years.

15. For an observer in Johnson City, the time that it takes the star Aldebaran to appear to orbit the Earth and return to the same position on the sky is:
a) 23 hours 56 minutes.
b) 24 hours.
c) 27.3 days.
d) 29.5 days.
e) Aldebaran does not rise or set: it is always in the same location in the sky.

16. The angle covered by the full moon on the sky is approximately:
a) 0.5 degrees.
b) 30 arcminutes.
c) 1800 arcseconds.
d) all of the above.
e) none of the above.

17. If you were an astronaut living in a colony on the far side of the Moon:
a) the sky would always be dark: you would never see the Sun.
b) the Sun would rise in your sky every 23 hours 56 minutes.
c) the Sun would rise in your sky every 24 hours.
d) the Earth would rise in your sky every 29.5 days.
e) the Sun would rise in your sky every 29.5 days.

18. At which phase does the Moon rise at 9 AM?
a) waning crescent.
b) waning gibbous.
c) full moon.
d) first quarter.
e) waxing crescent.

19. The declination of a star is:
a) the angle between the star and the horizon.
b) the angle between the star and the Celestial North Pole.
c) how bright the star appears on the sky.
d) the latitude of a person for whom the star is at the zenith.
e) the longitude of a person for whom the star is at the zenith.

20. On approximately June 21 each year:
a) the sun is at the zenith at noon for an observer on the Earth's equator.
b) the Earth is closest to the Sun.
c) the Sun is on the Celestial Equator.
d) the Sun is at the Vernal Equinox.
e) the Sun is located 23.5 degrees north of the Celestial Equator.

21. The meridian is:
a) the projection of the Earth's equator on the sky.
b) the path the Sun takes across the sky.
c) the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun.
d) the point on the sky directly above an observer.
e) the line (arc) on the sky that runs from horizon to horizon, passing through the zenith and the Celestial North Pole.

22. Two identical Boeing 747 airplanes are coming in to land at Chicago O'Hare airport. The United Airlines airplane is 2 miles away from the airport, while the USAirways plane is 4 miles away. The angular size of the United Airlines plane, as seen by an observer at the airport, is:
a) 4 times bigger than the USAirways plane.
b) 2 times bigger than the USAirways plane.
c) 1/2 as big as the USAirways plane.
d) 1/4 as big as the USAirways plane.
e) the same as the USAirways plane.

23. Where would you have to be on Earth to see the North Celestial Pole at your zenith?
a) the North Pole.
b) the South Pole.
c) the Equator.
d) Johnson City.
e) it depends upon the season.

24. In an astronomical context, the word "precession" means:
a) the daily spinning motion of the Earth, producing the apparent motion of the Sun and stars.
b) the synchronous rotation of the Moon.
c) the motion of the Earth along its orbital path during a year.
d) the change of the seasons.
e) the slow wobble of the Earth's axis due to the gravitational pull of the Sun and the Moon.

25. A sidereal month is:
a) the same as a lunar month.
b) twice as long as a lunar month.
c) 4 minutes shorter than a lunar month.
d) 2.2 days shorter than a lunar month.
e) 2.2 days longer than a lunar month.

26. On the day of the Summer Solstice, which of the following conditions hold?
a) Both the day and night are 12 hours long.
b) The northern hemisphere of Earth is tilted towards the Sun: sunlight hits the surface of Earth most directly.
c) The Sun crosses the Celestial Equator.
d) The moon, Sun, and Earth are always aligned.
e) The Sun passes through the Big Dipper.

27. The line (arc) on the sky that runs from horizon to horizon, through the point directly above you and the Celestial North Pole, is called:
a) The zenith.
b) The declination.
c) The ecliptic.
d) The Celestial Equator.
e) The meridian.

28. The synodic period (synodic year) of Pluto is 366.7 days. This means:
a) It takes Pluto 366.7 days to make a complete orbit of the Sun with respect to the stars.
b) Pluto spins once on its axis in 366.7 days.
c) It takes 366.7 days for the Earth to orbit the Sun and return to the same alignment with respect to Pluto and the Sun.
d) The rotational axis of Pluto is slowly precessing with time, with a period of 366.7 days.
e) Pluto is moving at almost the same speed in its orbit as Earth.

29. A waning gibbous moon is observed:
a) When the Sun and the Moon are 90 degrees apart on the sky.
b) In the afternoon and early evening.
c) A few days after new moon.
d) When the angle between the Sun and the Moon, with respect to the Earth, is 135 degrees.
e) When the Sun, Moon, and Earth are exactly lined up.

30. The planets are always observed:
a) Near Polaris.
b) Near the Celestial Equator.
c) Near the meridian.
d) Near the zenith.
e) Near the ecliptic.

31. The moon is in synchronous rotation with the Earth. This means:
a) The moon always keeps the same face to the Sun.
b) The length of a day on the surface of the moon (sunrise to sunrise) is 24 hours.
c) The moon always keeps the same face to the Earth.
d) The moon spins 29.5 times on its axis during a lunar month.
e) A lunar month equals a sidereal month.

32. For an astronaut on the Moon:
a) The Earth rises in the sky every 29.5 days.
b) The Earth rises in the sky every 27.3 days.
c) The Earth rises in the sky every 24 hours.
d) The Earth rises in the sky every 23 hours 56 minutes.
e) The Earth never rises or sets in the sky.

33. The number 50,000,000 can be written:
a) 5 X 10^-7.
b) 5 X 1⁷.
c) 5 X 10⁷.
d) 5⁷
e) 5 billion.

34. A full moon rises:
a) At noon.
b) At 6 PM.
c) At midnight.
d) At 6 AM.
e) Anytime between noon and midnight, depending on the season.

35. The Right Ascension is:
a) The projection of the Earth's equator on the sky.
b) The projection of the Earth's latitude onto the sky.
c) The projection of the Earth's longitude onto the sky.
d) The celestial coordinate that runs perpendicular to the declination, starting at 0^h RA at the position of the Sun during the Vernal Equinox.
e) The line on the sky that connects the zenith and the Celestial North Pole.

36. The planet Jupiter:
a) Is always located at the same RA and Declination on the sky.
b) Is always found on the Celestial Equator.
c) Is never visible at midnight.
d) Is located in Ursa Minor, the Little Bear (the Little Dipper).
e) Is always located near the ecliptic.

37. An annular eclipse is:
a) a lunar eclipse.
b) when the moon is in the Earth's shadow.
c) when the angular size of the Moon is too small to block the full face of the Sun.
d) an eclipse that occurs every December.
e) a solar eclipse that occurs during a full moon.

38. During a first quarter moon:
a) it is possible to see a solar eclipse.
b) the moon rises at noon.
c) the Earth's shadow blocks half the face of the moon.
d) the Earth is tilted away from the Sun.
e) the Sun, Earth, and Moon are lined up.

39. The planets:
a) Move faster in their orbit around the Sun, in km/s, the closer they are to the Sun.
b) Are always located at the same Right Ascension and Declination in the sky.
c) Are always found along the Celestial Equator.
d) Are always located at Declinations greater than 60 degrees.
e) Are always observed along the meridian.

40. In a degree of angle, there are:
a) 3600 arcseconds.
b) 3600 arcminutes.
c) 60 arcseconds.
d) 24 hours of Right Ascension.
e) 1 arcminute.

41. The Sun, the Earth, and Pluto line up, with Pluto in opposition to the Sun:
a) Every 366.7 days, just a few days longer than a sidereal year on Earth.
b) Every 88 days, so about four times every year.
c) Every 29.5 days, so about 12 times a year.
d) Every 249 years.
e) Every 24 hours.

42. A waning crescent moon is observed:
a) When the Sun, Earth and the Moon are lined up.
b) In the afternoon and early evening.
c) A few days after new moon.
d) In the morning.
e) Directly overhead at midnight.

43. Mars move eastwards relative to the stars for most of the year, however, every 780 days it changes direction and goes west, and then reverses and moves eastwards again. This is because:
a) The Earth has caught up and passed Mars in its orbit.
b) Mars stops in its orbit around the Sun, and goes backwards, in the opposite direction.
c) The Earth is tilted on its axis by 23.5 degrees.
d) The gravitational pull of Mars' moons changes its orbit around the Sun.
e) The Earth wobbles on its axis, with a period of 780 days.

44. During the vernal equinox:
a) the sun is at the zenith at noon for an observer on the Earth's equator.
b) is the only time solar and lunar eclipses occur.
c) the Sun, Earth, and Moon are lined up.
d) the moon is in the constellation of Ursa Major.
e) Venus is visible at midnight.

45. The ecliptic is:
a) the projection of the Earth's equator on the sky.
b) the path of the moon across the sky.
c) the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun.
d) the point on the sky directly above an observer.
e) the line (arc) on the sky that runs from horizon to horizon, through the point directly above you and the Celestial North Pole.

46. Planet A and Planet B have the same angular size on the sky. Planet A is known to be five times farther away from us. Therefore:
a) The physical diameter of Planet A is five times bigger than that of Planet B.
b) The physical diameter of Planet A is equal to that of Planet B.
c) The physical diameter of Planet A is 1/5th that of Planet B.
d) The physical diameter of Planet A is 25 times bigger than that of Planet B.
e) The physical diameter of Planet A is 1/25th that of Planet B.

47. A constellation is:
a) A group of stars in the sky that are all the same distance away from us.
b) A pattern of stars in the sky, made up of star near each other in the sky but not necessarily near each other in space.
c) The stars that lie along the ecliptic.
d) The stars that lie near the Celestial North Pole.
e) The stars that never set below the horizon.

48. The moon:
a) spins once on its axis relative to the Sun every 23 hours 56 minutes.
b) spins once on its axis relative to the Sun every 24 hours.
c) spins once on its axis relative to the Sun every 29.5 days.
d) spins once on its axis relative to the Sun every 365 days.
e) Never spins on its axis.

49. The constellation of Virgo has a declination of 0 degrees. This means:
a) It lies directly above the North Pole.
b) It lies directly above the equator of Earth.
c) It is at the Celestial South Pole.
d) It lies directly above Greenwich England.
e) It is at the zenith for an observer in Johnson City.

50. The distance from the Earth to the Sun is:
a) 4.3 A.U.
b) 4.3 light minutes
c) 8.3 light minutes.
d) 4.3 light years.
e) 8.3 light years.

51. During its 3rd quarter phase, the Moon rises at:
a) noon.
b) 6 PM.
c) midnight.
d) 6 AM.
e) it depends upon the time of the year.

52. The constellation of Lyra has a declination of about 36 degrees. This means:
a) It lies at the Celestial North Pole for an observer in Johnson City.
b) It is always 36 degrees above the horizon for an observer in Johnson City.
c) It is always 36 degrees to the west of the Prime Meridian.
d) It is always at the zenith for an observer in Johnson City.
e) It is sometimes at the zenith for an observer in Johnson City.

53. How many arcseconds are there in an arcminute?
a) 60.
b) 360.
c) 3600.
d) 1/60.
e) 100.

54. The precession of the Earth's axis, due to the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on the Earth's bulge, has a period of:
a) 23 hours 56 minutes.
b) 24 hours.
c) 29.5 days.
d) 4.3 years.
e) 26,000 years.

55. If you lived on the side of the Moon facing away from the Earth:
a) It would always be dark.
b) The Sun would rise every 23 hours 56 minutes.
c) The Sun would rise every 29.5 days.
d) The Sun would rise once per year.
e) The Sun would always be above the horizon.

56. Which of the following statements about synchronous rotation is correct?
a) The Earth and Moon are both synchronously rotating with each other.
b) The Moon is synchronously rotating with the Earth, but not vice versa.
c) The Earth is synchronously rotating with the Moon, but not vice versa.
d) The only Moon in the solar system which is synchronously rotating with its planet is Charon.
e) The Earth is synchronously rotating with the Sun.

57. The city of Augusta Maine is at 44 degrees North latitude and 72 degrees West longitude. If you were in Augusta, a star at your zenith would have a declination of:
a) 44 degrees.
b) 72 degrees.
c) 90 - 44 = 46 degrees.
d) 90 - 72 = 18 degrees.
e) 90 degrees.

58. The city of Augusta Maine is at 44 degrees North latitude and 72 degrees West longitude. If you were in Augusta (in the year 2002), the location of Polaris in the sky would be:
a) at the zenith.
b) due north, 72 degrees above the horizon.
c) due north, 90 - 72 = 18 degrees above the horizon.
d) due north, 44 degrees above the horizon.
e) due north, 90 - 44 = 46 degrees above the horizon.

59. Planet A and Planet B have the same angular size on the sky. Planet A is known to have a physical diameter of 2 X 10⁴ km. Planet B is known to be 10 times further away from us than Planet A. Therefore:
a) Planet B has a diameter of 2 X 10³ km.
b) Planet B has a diameter of 2 X 10⁴ km.
c) Planet B has a diameter of 2 X 10⁵ km.
d) Planet B has a diameter of 2 X 10¹⁴ km.
e) Planet B has a diameter of 2 X 10⁴⁰ km.

60. The planet Mars:
b) Orbits the Sun in the opposite direction from the Earth.
a) Is always located at the same RA and Declination on the sky.
c) Has a faster orbital velocity around the Sun, in km/s, than the Earth.
d) Is located in the constellation of Ursa Major.
e) Mostly drifts eastwards across the sky relative to the stars, but occasionally appears to turn around and go backwards.

61. During the summer solstice:
a) the sun lies directly above the Earth's equator.
b) the declination of the Sun is 23.5 degrees North.
c) the Sun, Earth, and Moon are lined up.
d) Mars is at opposition.
e) The Earth is closest to the Sun.

62. At what time of day is it possible to see a full moon?
a) From 6 PM until 6 AM.
b) From midnight until noon.
c) From 6 AM until 6 PM.
d) From noon until midnight.
e) Any time of day.

63. The star Deneb crossed the meridian at 11:05 PM on September 7, 2002 for an observer in Johnson City. When did it cross the meridian on September 8?
a) 11:01 PM.
b) 11:05 PM.
c) 11:07 PM.
d) 11:09 PM.
e) 11:11 PM.

64. The constellations on the ecliptic are:
a) Always above the horizon for an observer in Johnson City.
b) Directly above the Earth's equator.
c) The constellations in front of which the Sun passes.
d) The constellations visible during the equinoxes.
e) The constellations that lie along the imaginary line that runs from the northern horizon to the southern horizon, through the North Celestial Pole and through the zenith.

65. During the autumnal equinox:
a) The Declination of the Sun is 0 degrees.
b) The Declination of the Sun is 23.5 degrees.
c) The Declination of the Sun is -23.5 degrees.
d) The Declination of the Sun is 90 degrees.
e) The Declination of the Sun is 12 hours.

66. If you are only able to see the right half of the Moon illuminated, then:
a) The Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun.
b) The Moon is on the same side of the Earth from the Sun.
c) The Moon, the Earth, and the Sun make a right angle, and the Moon is moving away from the Sun.
d) The Moon, the Earth, and the Sun make a right angle, and the Moon is moving towards from the Sun.
e) The Moon, the Earth, and the Sun make a 45 degree angle, and the Moon is moving away from the Sun.

67. Two pine trees are seen in the distance. Tree A has an angular size of 5 degrees, while Tree B has an angular size of 1 degree. Assuming the two trees have the same true physical height, the distance to Tree A is:
a) 5 times bigger than the distance to Tree B.
b) 1/5th of the distance to Tree B.
c) the same as the distance to Tree B.
d) 25 times bigger than the distance to Tree B.
e) 1/25th of the distance to Tree B.

68. An Astronomical Unit is:
a) The same thing as a Light Year.
b) 4.3 light years.
c) 60 arcminutes.
d) 8.3 light minutes.
e) The distance from the Earth to the Moon.

69. Pluto is at opposition every 1.005 years, while Mars is at opposition every 2.14 years. The reason Mars' oppositions are so less often is:
a) Mars' orbital velocity around the Sun, in km/s, is slower than that of Pluto.
b) Mars is closer to the Earth, and so has an orbital velocity and orbital path length closer to that of the Earth's.
c) Mars spins more slowly on its axis than Pluto.
d) Pluto's moon is closer to Pluto than Mars' moons are to Mars.
e) Mars occasionally moves backwards across the sky.

70. During its full phase, the Moon rises at approximately:
a) noon.
b) 6 PM.
c) midnight.
d) 6 AM.
e) 3 AM.

71. On the Vernal Equinox:
a) The Declination of the Sun is 0 degrees.
b) The Declination of the Sun is 23.5 degrees.
c) The Declination of the Sun is -23.5 degrees.
d) The Declination of the Sun is 90 degrees.
e) The Declination of the Sun is 12 hours.

72. An arcsecond is:
a) the distance light travels in a second.
b) 1/60th of a degree.
c) 1/360th of a degree.
d) 1/3600th of a degree.
e) the angle covered by a fist held at arm's length.

73. The Moon sets at midnight when it is in which of the following phases?
a) Full.
b) First quarter.
c) Third quarter.
d) None of the above.
e) All of the above.

74. The Declination of the Sun is 23.5 degrees:
a) Always.
b) Never.
c) On the Summer Solstice.
d) On the Winter Solstice.
e) On the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox.

75. The Moon rises at midnight and sets at noon when it is in which of the following phases?
a) Full.
b) First quarter.
c) Third quarter.
d) None of the above.
e) All of the above.

76. The Declination of the Sun is 0 degrees:
a) Always.
b) Never.
c) On the Summer Solstice.
d) On the Winter Solstice.
e) On the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox.

77. Your little finger held at arm's length covers an angular size of approximately:
a) 1 arcsec
b) 1 arcmin
c) 3600 arcsec
d) 3.6 X 10⁶ arcsec
e) 24 hours

78. For astronauts living in a colony on the near side of the Moon, how often does the Sun rise in the sky?
a) every 23 hours 56 minutes.
b) every 24 hours.
c) every 29.5 days.
d) every 365 days.
e) The Sun does not rise or set for people living on the Moon; it just stays in the same location in the sky.

79. The point on the sky directly above the observer is called the:
a) meridian.
b) annulus.
c) right ascension.
d) declination.
e) zenith.

80. Solar eclipses happen:
a) Every full moon.
b) Every new moon.
c) Approximately every sixth full moon.
d) Approximately every sixth new moon.
e) Approximately every six hundredth new moon.

81. The projection of the Earth's latitude onto the sky is the:
a) ecliptic.
b) meridian.
c) right ascension.
d) declination.
e) celestial equator.

82. The time period 23 hours 56 minutes is:
a) the time between sunrises on the Moon.
b) the time it takes the Sun to appear to orbit the Earth, and return to the same position in the sky.
c) the spin period of the Earth on its axis relative to the Sun.
d) the time it takes a star to appear to orbit the Earth, and return to the same position in the sky.
e) the time between the vernal and autumnal equinoxes.

83. What is the angle between the Sun and the Moon in the sky during a waxing gibbous moon?
a) 45 degrees
b) 90 degrees
c) 120 degrees
d) 180 degrees
e) it varies from 0 deg to 180 degrees, depending upon the time of year.

84. How long is a sidereal month?
a) 23 hours 56 minutes
b) 2.2 days
c) 27.3 days
d) 29.5 days
e) 4.3 years

85. Which of the following statements about tidal locking is correct?
a) The Earth and Moon are tidally locked to each other.
b) The Moon is tidally locked to the Earth, but not vice versa.
c) The Earth is tidally locked to the Moon, but not vice versa.
d) The only Moons in the solar system which are tidally locked to its planet are the moons of Mars.
e) No moons in our solar system are tidally locked to their planet.

86. During what phase is the Moon highest in the sky at 6 PM?
a) Full Moon.
b) First quarter Moon.
c) Third quarter Moon.
d) New Moon.
e) Waxing Crescent.

87. The Declination of the Sun at the Winter Solstice is:
a) -23.5 degrees.
b) 0 degrees.
c) 23.5 degrees.
d) 90 degrees.
e) 180 degrees.

88. During what phase of the Moon do lunar eclipses happen?
a) Full Moon.
b) First quarter Moon.
c) Third quarter Moon.
d) New Moon.
e) Waxing Crescent.

89. For Uranus, how long is a sidereal year?
a) 23 hours 56 minutes.
b) 365 days.
c) 367 days.
d) 84 years.
e) 26,000 years.

90. For an observer in the northern hemisphere of Earth, the angle between Polaris and the northern horizon:
a) is equal to the equinox of the observer.
b) is equal to the latitude of the observer.
c) is equal to the longitude of the observer.
d) is equal to the meridian of the observer.
e) is equal to the ecliptic of the observer.

91. A first quarter Moon rises at about:
a) noon.
b) midnight.
c) 6 PM.
d) 6 AM.
e) 3 AM.

92. The Declination of the Sun at the Summer Solstice is:
a) -23.5 degrees.
b) 0 degrees.
c) 23.5 degrees.
d) 90 degrees.
e) 180 degrees.

93. During what phase of the Moon do solar eclipses happen?
a) Full Moon.
b) First and third quarter Moon.
c) Waxing and Waning Gibbous.
d) Waxing and Waning Crescent.
e) New Moon.

94. How long is the period of precession of the Earth's poles?
a) 23 hours 56 minutes.
b) 365 days.
c) 367 days.
d) 84 years.
e) 26,000 years.

95. A star at the zenith in Johnson City has a declination of:
a) 90 degrees.
b) 0 degrees.
c) 36 degrees.
d) 82 degrees.
e) -90 degrees.

96. What do we call the phase of the Moon when we see the left half of the Moon in the sky?
a) waxing gibbous.
b) first quarter.
c) second quarter.
d) third quarter.
e) waxing crescent.

97. A sidereal day is:
a) The spin period of the Earth on its axis relative to the Sun.
b) 24 hours.
c) 23 hours 56 minutes.
d) 29.5 days.
e) 365 days.

98. For an astronaut on the far side of the Moon from the Earth, how often does the Sun rise in the sky?
a) Every 23 hours 56 minutes.
b) Every 27.3 days.
c) Every 29.5 days.
d) Every 6 months.
e) Never.

99. The celestial meridian is:
a) The line on the sky that goes from the northern horizon through the zenith to the southern horizon.
b) The line on the sky that goes from the eastern horizon through the zenith to the western horizon.
c) The projection of the Earth's latitude lines onto the sky.
d) The path the Sun takes across the sky.
e) The projection of the Earth's equator onto the sky.

100. The period 27.3 days is:
a) a sidereal month.
b) a sidereal day.
c) a solar day.
d) a lunar (synodic) month.
e) the precession period for the Earth's poles.

101. Which of the following angles is equal to the latitude of the observer, if the observer is in the northern hemisphere of the Earth?
a) the angle between the zenith and the northern horizon.
b) the angle between Polaris and the zenith.
c) the angle between the celestial equator and Polaris.
d) the angle between Polaris and the ecliptic.
e) the angle between Polaris and the northern horizon.

102. When is the declination of the Sun equal to 90 degrees?
a) only on the winter solstice.
b) only on the summer solstice.
c) only on the Vernal or Autumnal Equinox.
d) all year long.
e) never.

103. A light year is:
a) The distance from the Earth to the Sun.
b) The distance from the Earth to the Moon.
c) The same thing as an Astronomical Unit.
d) The distance to alpha Centauri.
e) About 1/4 of the distance to alpha Centauri.

104. The period of time 26,000 years is:
a) a sidereal month.
b) the period of precession of the Earth's poles.
c) a sidereal year for Mercury.
d) the synodic period of Mars.
e) the length of time it takes Pluto to orbit the Sun, relative to the Earth.

105. In its waxing gibbous phase, what part of the moon is visible from the northern hemisphere of Earth?
a) Less than half of the full moon, on the right side.
b) Less than half of the full moon, on the left side.
c) More than half of the full moon, on the left side.
d) More than half of the full moon, on the right side.
e) exactly half, on the left side.

106. The planets:
a) are always located in the circumpolar constellations.
b) are always located in the constellations along the ecliptic.
c) move through all 88 constellations over the course of a year.
d) each have their own constellation they remain in, for example, Mars is always in Scorpio and Saturn is always in Sagittarius.
e) are always located along the celestial meridian.

107. The number 200,000 can be written:
a) 2 X 10^-5.
b) 2 X 1⁵.
c) 2 X 10⁵.
d) 2 X 10⁶.
e) 2⁵

108. Where is the Moon located in the sky?
a) the moon is always within about 5 degrees of the ecliptic.
b) the moon is always 180 degrees away from the Sun in the sky.
c) the moon is always 90 degrees away from the Sun in the sky.
d) the moon is always within about 5 degrees of the Celestial North Pole.
e) the moon is always above the horizon from sunset to sunrise.

109. If you lived on the far side of the Moon, relative to the Earth, the Sun:
a) would never be visible.
b) would rise every 23 hours 56 minutes.
c) would rise every 24 hours.
d) would rise every 29.5 days.
e) would rise once every 365 days.

110. Lunar eclipses happen:
a) Only during new moon, every new moon.
b) Only during full moon, every full moon.
c) Only during new moon, approximately once every 6 months.
d) Only during full moon, approximately once every 6 months.
e) Only once every 26,000 years.

111. The term `zenith' in Astronomy refers to:
a) the angle between Polaris and the northern horizon.
b) the highest position the Sun reaches on the sky over the course of a day.
c) the angle between Polaris and the celestial equator.
d) the line that divides the sky into the eastern half
e) the position on the sky directly above the observer.

112. What is the declination of the Sun on the Winter Solstice?
a) 90 degrees.
b) -23.5 degrees.
c) 23.5 degrees.
d) 0 degrees.
e) -90 degrees.

113. How long does it take light to reach us from alpha Centauri?
a) 8.3 minutes.
b) 26,000 years.
c) 4.3 years.
d) 27.3 days.
e) 29.5 days.

114. A sidereal month is:
a) the time between one full moon and the next full moon.
b) 29.5 days.
c) 26,000 years.
d) the time it takes for the moon to orbit the Earth, relative to the Sun.
e) the time it takes a star to appear to orbit the Moon, from the point of view of an observer on the Moon.

115. The constellation shown to the right is:
a) Cepheus.
b) Ursa Major.
c) Ursa Minor.
d) Cassiopeia.
e) Cygnus.

116. In its waning crescent phase, what is the angle between the Sun and the Moon on the sky, approximately?
a) 180 degrees.
b) 135 degrees.
c) 120 degrees.
d) 90 degrees.
e) 45 degrees.

117. A solar eclipse (either total or partial) usually happens somewhere on the Earth approximately every:
a) 26,000 years.
b) 7 years.
c) 3 years.
d) 6 months.
e) 27.3 days.

118. The period of time 29.5 days is equal to:
a) a sidereal month.
b) the synodic period (synodic year) of Mars.
c) sunset to sunset for astronauts on the moon.
d) the time between lunar eclipses.
e) the period of precession of the Earth's poles.

119. How often is Pluto at opposition?
a) Once every 26,000 years.
b) Once every 366.7 days.
c) Once every 29.5 days.
d) Once every 24 hours 56 minutes.
e) Pluto is never observed at opposition.

120. When there is a full moon, when does the moon set?
a) At approximately 6 AM.
b) At approximately 6 PM.
c) At approximately midnight.
d) At approximately 9 PM.
e) It never sets during the full moon.

121. When does a first quarter moon set?
a) midnight.
b) noon.
c) 6 PM.
d) 6 AM.
e) 9 AM.

122. Which of the following is true about a third quarter moon?
a) The Moon rises about 6 PM.
b) The angle between the Sun and the Moon in the sky is about 180 degrees.
c) The left half of the Moon is visible.
d) The Moon sets about midnight.
e) A lunar eclipse may occur.

123. Which of the following is true?
a) The Celestial Meridian lies along Declination = 0 deg.
b) The Celestial Meridian lies along R.A. = 0 hours.
c) The Ecliptic lies along Declination = 0 deg.
d) The Zenith is at Declination = 90 degrees.
e) The Celestial Equator lies along Declination = 0 degrees.

124. Where are the planets found in the sky?
a) Always close to the Celestial Meridian.
b) Always close to the Ecliptic.
c) Always close to the Celestial Equator.
d) Always within the circumpolar constellations.
e) Always at Declinations near 90 degrees.

125. Which of the following constellations is NOT along the ecliptic?
a) Ursa Major.
b) Taurus.
c) Leo.
d) Scorpio.
e) Sagittarius.

126. What do we call the period of time from when Mars is at opposition to the Sun relative to the Earth, to when it is back again at opposition?
a) a synodic year (the synodic period).
b) a sidereal year (the sidereal period).
c) an annular year (the annular period).
d) the precessional year (the precessional period).
e) a celestial year (the celestial period).

127. During which phase of the moon is the angle between the Sun and Moon in the sky about 180 degrees?
a) waxing crescent.
b) waxing gibbous.
c) first quarter.
d) full moon.
e) new moon.

128. Two trees seen in the distance, Tree A and Tree B, have the same angular size as seen by an observer. Tree B is known to be 10 times further away than tree A. Tree A is known to be 20 feet tall. How tall is Tree B? (Hint: draw a picture).
a) 2 feet tall.
b) 10 feet tall.
c) 20 feet tall.
d) 200 feet tall.
e) 5 feet tall.

129. How long does it take a star to appear to orbit the Earth, from the point of view of an observer on the Earth?
a) 23 hours 56 minutes.
b) 24 hours.
c) 27.3 days.
d) 29.5 days.
e) 365 days.

130. The term `the retrograde motion of the planets' refers to the fact that:
a) the direction that the planets move in the sky is always opposite the direction the stars move.
b) in three dimensional space, some of the other planets orbit the Sun in a direction opposite to that of the Earth's orbit around the Sun.
c) the planets mostly move east in the sky relative to the stars, but occasionally appear to turn around and move westward relative to the stars.
d) the planets always rise in the west and set in the east.
e) the planets are always found in the circumpolar constellations, such as Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cepheus, and Cassiopeia, and over the course of the night appear to orbit around Polaris.

131. The line that divides the sky into the eastern half and the western half is called the:
a) Zenith.
b) Ecliptic.
c) Right Ascension.
d) Prime Meridian.
e) Celestial Meridian.

132. What would the Moon's declination be during a solar eclipse, if the eclipse happened on the Vernal Equinox?
a) 90 degrees.
b) -23.5 degrees.
c) 23.5 degrees.
d) 0 degrees.
e) -90 degrees.

133. How long does it take light to reach us from the Sun?
a) 8.3 seconds.
b) 8.3 minutes.
c) 26,000 years.
d) 4.3 years.
e) 27.3 days.

134. The time it takes a star to appear to orbit the Earth, from the point of view of an observer on the Earth, is:
a) 24 hours.
b) 24 hours 56 minutes.
c) 23 hours 56 minutes.
d) 27.3 days.
e) 29.5 days.

135. The constellation shown to the right is:
a) Cepheus.
b) Ursa Major.
c) Ursa Minor.
d) Cassiopeia.
e) Cygnus.

136. In its 3rd quarter phase, what is the angle between the Sun and the Moon on the sky, approximately?
a) 180 degrees.
b) 135 degrees.
c) 120 degrees.
d) 90 degrees.
e) 45 degrees.

137. Which of the following happens approximately once every 6 months?
a) The Moon goes through all of its phases.
b) From the point of view of an observer on the Earth, the Sun makes one complete circle around the Celestial Sphere, relative to the constellations and to the celestial coordinate grid.
c) A lunar eclipse happens.
b) From the point of view of an observer on the Earth, a star makes one complete orbit around the Earth.
e) The Earth precesses once on its axis.

138. The plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun is called the:
a) Celestial Meridian.
b) Celestial Equator.
c) Declination.
d) Ascension.
e) Ecliptic.

139. How often is Venus at opposition?
a) Every 225 days.
b) Every 584 days.
c) Every 27.3 days.
d) Every 29.5 days.
e) Never.

140. When the Moon is in its 3rd quarter phase, when it highest in the sky for an observer on Earth?
a) At approximately 6 AM.
b) At approximately 6 PM.
c) At approximately midnight.
d) At approximately 9 PM.
e) It never sets during the full moon.

141. For an observer in Johnson City on the day of the Vernal Equinox, when does Polaris set?
a) midnight.
b) 9 PM.
c) 6 PM.
d) 6 AM.
e) never.

142. Which of the following planets/dwarf planets is tidally locked to its moon?
a) The Earth.
b) Mars.
c) Uranus.
d) Pluto.
e) None of the above.

143. Which of the following is correct?

a) On the Vernal Equinox, the Sun has a Right Ascension of 0 hours.
b) On the Summer Solstice, the Sun has a declination of 0 degrees.
c) The Sun is always located on the Celestial Equator.
d) The planets are always found in the circumpolar constellations.
e) The Sun is directly above the Earth's equator on the Summer Solstice.

144. In the celestial coordinate system, the coordinate that runs parallel to the Earth's longitude lines is called:
a) Celestial Ecliptic.
b) Right Equinox.
c) Right Ascension.
d) Declination.
e) Conjunction.

145. 3600 arcseconds is equal to:
a) 1 light year.
b) 360 degrees.
c) 1 degree.
d) 24 hours of angle.
e) 1 Astronomical Unit.

146. If you were living on the far side of the Moon from the Earth:
a) you would never see the Sun.
b) the Sun would rise every 23 hours 56 minutes.
c) the Sun would rise every 24 hours.
d) the Sun would rise every 29.5 days.
e) the Sun would always be visible, and would not move in the sky.

147. Galaxy A and Galaxy B have the same physical size, 100 thousand light years in diameter. If Galaxy A is three times further away, how do their angular sizes compare?
a) The angular size of Galaxy A is equal to that of Galaxy B.
b) The angular size of Galaxy A is 1/3 of that of Galaxy B.
c) The angular size of Galaxy A is three times that of Galaxy B.
d) The angular size of Galaxy A is 1/9 that of Galaxy B.
e) The angular size of Galaxy A is nine times that of Galaxy B.

148. On what day of the year is the declination of the Sun equal to -23.5 degrees?
a) Winter Solstice.
b) Vernal Equinox.
c) Autumnal Equinox.
d) All year long.
e) Never.

149. How does Mars move in the sky?
a) It is always in the constellation of Ares, and moves across the sky at the same rate as the stars.
b) It travels along the ecliptic, mostly moves eastward relative to the stars but occasionally going backwards.
c) It makes small circles on the sky around the Celestial North Pole, within about 3 degrees of the Pole.
d) It zigzags back and forth along the Celestial Meridian, always staying on the Celestial Meridian.
e) It always has a declination of 0 degrees, but its right ascension changes with time.

150. The slow wobble of the Earth on its axis due to the uneven gravitational pull from the Sun and the Moon on the not-quite-spherical Earth is called:
a) conjunction.
b) synchronization.
c) sidereal wobbling.
d) ascension.
e) precession.

Answers: 1b, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6c, 7e, 8d, 9c, 10c, 11c, 12d, 13d, 14d, 15a, 16d, 17e, 18e, 19d, 20e, 21e, 22b, 23a, 24e, 25d, 26b, 27e, 28c, 29d, 30e, 31c, 32e, 33c, 34b, 35d, 36e, 37c, 38b, 39a, 40a, 41a, 42d, 43a, 44a, 45c, 46a, 47b, 48c, 49b, 50c, 51c, 52e, 53a, 54e, 55c, 56b, 57a, 58d, 59c, 60e, 61b, 62a, 63a, 64c, 65a, 66c, 67b, 68d, 69b, 70b, 71a, 72d, 73b, 74c, 75c, 76e, 77c, 78c, 79e, 80d, 81d, 82d, 83c, 84c, 85b, 86b, 87a, 88a, 89d, 90b, 91a, 92c, 93e, 94e, 95c, 96d, 97c, 98c, 99a, 100a, 101e, 102e, 103e, 104b, 105d, 106b, 107c, 108a, 109d, 110d, 111e, 112b, 113c, 114e, 115d, 116e, 117d, 118c, 119b, 120a, 121a, 122c, 123e, 124b, 125a, 126a, 127d, 128d, 129a, 130c, 131e, 132d, 133b, 134c, 135a, 136d, 137c, 138e, 139e, 140a, 141e, 142d, 143a, 144c, 145c, 146d, 147b, 148a, 149b, 150e.