Our Local Sky Quiz

All sourced information must be accompanied by at least 3-4 lines of student-written, original text, explaining each line of quoted. Question 1 According to current data, the universe is 13.8 billion years old. If we were to compress this time into a single year, in what months would the following events have occurred?: The Big Bang Formation of the Milky Way galaxy Formation of the Solar System Appearance of complex life Appearance of dinosaurs Appearance of humans Embed Kaltura Media Question 2 What purposes did astronomy serve for ancient civilizations? List at least three purposes, and provide specific examples. Answer in your own words in 1-2 paragraphs. Embed Kaltura Media Question 3 What is an asterism? Select one: a. Groups of stars making an apparent pattern in the celestial sphere b. Apparent groupings of stars and planets visible on a given evening c. Groups of galaxies gravitationally bound and close together in the sky d. Groups of stars gravitationally bound and appearing close together in the sky Question 4 Question text Someone asks you why seasons occur. What do you tell them? Answer in your own words in ~1 paragraph. Be specific and descriptive in your explanation. Embed Kaltura Media Question 5 If you represented each star by a grain of sand, how much sand would it take to represent all the stars in the Universe? Select one: a. all the sand on the beaches in the United States b. all the sand on the beaches of California c. more than all the sand on all the beaches on Earth d. all the sand on Miami Beach Question 6 Which of the following has the Earth's "cosmic address" in the correct order? Select one: a. Earth, Solar System, Local Group, Milky Way, Virgo Supercluster b. Earth, Solar System, Local Group, Virgo Supercluster, Milky Way c. Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Local Group, Virgo Supercluster d. Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Local Supercluster, Local Group Question 7 A sixth grader asks you, “What causes the phases of the Moon?” How would you explain the phases of the Moon to them? Provide a complete but age-appropriate answer. Respond in your own words in ~1 paragraph. Embed Kaltura Media Question 8 Describe the size, mass, and location of the Earth with respect to the Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, and the Sun. Consider, too, the distances between Earth and these Solar System objects. Answer in your own words in 1-2 paragraphs. Embed Kaltura Media Question 9 Compared with the standard hour of 60 minutes used today, the hour of ancient Egypt Select one: a. differed in length depending on the pharaoh in power at the time. b. was longer than the hour used today. c. was longer than 60 minutes in the summer and shorter than 60 minutes in the winter. d. was shorter than the hour used today Question 10 First, describe some of the methods by which astronomers map the universe and measure distances in astronomy. Next, describe some of the challenges that astronomers (now and in the past) face (or faced) when charting the universe and measuring distances. Finally, explain what you knew about this topic prior to starting the lesson and 2-3 things you learned as you reviewed the lesson materials. NOTE: This is an extended essay question worth 40 points. You are welcome to write this essay in the first person. The response should be formatted as a multi-paragraph essay with attention to essay structure, grammar mechanics, and APA formatting. Please include an introduction, a conclusion, and 3-4 body paragraphs. Include in-text citations and references. At least two of your references should come from the lesson materials. Question 11 Select one of the following ancient astronomers: Aristotle, Eratosthenes, Hipparchus, or Ptolemy. When and where did this person conduct their astronomical research? From your perspective, what were their most important contributions to the field of astronomy? What challenges did they face in their research? Answer in your own words in 1-2 paragraphs. Embed Kaltura Media Question 12 Describe the most important idea that Copernicus brought to the field of astronomy. How did he arrive at this idea? What challenges did he face when he presented his ideas? Answer in your own words in 1-2 paragraphs. Embed Kaltura Media Question 13 What are the main differences between solar eclipses and lunar eclipses? Which is more common, and why? Answer in your own words in ~1 paragraph. Embed Kaltura Media Question 14 An astronomer says, "The further we look into the distance, the further back we look in time." In your own words, explain what they mean by this. Support your answer with examples. Answer in ~1 paragraph. Embed Kaltura Media Question 15 Suppose we look at a photograph of many galaxies. Assuming that all galaxies formed at about the same time, how can we determine which galaxy in the picture appears the youngest to us? Select one: a. The one that is closest to us b. The one that is reddest in color c. The one that appears smallest in size d. The one that is farthest away Question 16 Ptolemy was important in the history of astronomy because he: Select one: a. developed the concept of retrograde motion. b. was the first to create a model of the solar system that placed the sun rather than the earth at the center. c. was the first to believe that all orbits are perfect circles. d. developed a model of the solar system that made sufficiently accurate predictions of
 planetary positions to remain in use for many centuries. Question 17 Prior to this lesson, what did you know about the celestial sphere? What are three things you learned about the celestial sphere as you were reviewing the lesson materials? Lastly, why do you think the celestial sphere is a useful concept? Answer in your own words in 1-2 paragraphs, and be specific. Embed Kaltura Media Question 18 Which lunar phase occurs when the moon is between the earth and the sun? Select one: a. full moon b. waxing moon c. new moon d. waning moon Question 19 What is the Metonic cycle? Select one: a. It is used to predict the future orientation of the Earth's axis in space. b. It is the ancient Greek name for the cycle of lunar phases that repeats every 29.5 days. c. It is the 18-year, 11-day period over which the pattern of eclipses repeats. d. It is used to keep lunar calendars approximately synchronized with solar calendars.