FINAL REVIEW: ASTRONOMY
1. Which body in our solar system is classified as a star?
(1) Earth (2) Mars (3) Venus (4) Sun
*Base your answers to questions 5-7 the diagram
below which shows the position of Earth and four
positions of the Moon during one orbit of Earth.
2. The diagram below shows Earth, as viewed from space,
as it moves around the Sun.
X
Approximately how long does it take Earth to move from
position A to position B?
(1) 1 year (2) 6 months (3) 1 day (4) 12 hours
3. The Sun appears to move across the sky during the
day. The best explanation for this apparent motion is
that Earth is:
(1) rotating on its axis. (2) revolving around the Sun.
(3) much smaller than the Sun. (4) tilted on its axis.
5. On the diagram, draw an X to show where the
Sun would need to be located to create the Moon phases
shown.
6. Which letter in the diagram shows the position
of the Moon when an observer on Earth sees a full
Moon?
POSITION C
7. What motion is represented by the arrows in
the diagram? _________________________
REVOLUTION
4. The diagram below shows a portion of the solar
system as seen from space. For which object is the
lighted surface shown incorrectly?
8. A student drew pictures to show how the Moon
looked from Earth over a two-week period.
The differences shown in the student’s drawings
are mostly due to the changing
(1) distance between Earth and the Moon
(2) speed of the Moon in its orbit
(3) position of the Moon in its orbit
(4) position of the observer on Earth
9. The length of a year is equivalent to the time
it takes for one
(1) rotation of Earth
(2) rotation of the Sun
(3) revolution of Earth around the Sun
(4) revolution of the Sun around Earth
(1) Moon
(2) Mercury
(3) Venus
(4) Earth
10. The diagram below shows Earth as seen from
space. Letters A through D are locations on Earth’s
surface.
When Earth is in this position, which location
would experience the greatest number of daylight hours?
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
11. The diagram below shows Earth as viewed
from space.
14. The diagram below shows four objects and
their orbits around the Sun, as seen from space.
Which statement is true about all of the objects
shown in the diagram?
(1) They produce their own light.
(2) They belong to our solar system.
(3) They are composed mostly of gases.
(4) They are the same distance from the Sun.
15. The diagram below shows four Moon phases
observed during July.
Which season is occurring in the Northern
Hemisphere?
(1) summer
(3) winter
(2) autumn
(4) spring
On which date would the next New Moon occur?
(1) August 5
(3) August 19
(2) August 10
(4) August 29
12. Which statement best explains why the Sun &
the Moon appear to be about the same size in
the sky?
16. The streaks in the time-lapse photograph
below show the apparent motion of the
stars around the North Star during one hour.
(1) The Sun & the Moon have the same diameter.
(2) The Moon is larger in diameter & farther from
Earth than the Sun.
(3) The Moon is smaller in diameter &is closer to
Earth than the Sun.
(4) The Sun &the Moon are the same distance from
Earth.
13. The Moon is visible from Earth because of
(1) reflected sunlight
(2) absorbed light from Earth’s atmosphere
(3) gases in the Moon’s interior
(4) volcanic eruptions on the Moon’s surface
This apparent motion of the stars can best be
explained by Earth’s
(1) rotation on its axis
(2) tilted axis
(3) revolution around the North Star
(4) changing distance from the North Star
*Base your answers to questions 17-18 on the diagram below. The diagram shows the relative
strengths of the gravitational force for planets of different masses. The size of each planet
represents the planet’s relative mass. The arrow length indicates the relative amount of
gravitational pull that each planet would exert on an astronaut in space.
17. What is the relationship between the mass of the planets and the strength of their gravitational pull?
__________________________________________________________________________________
THE LARGER THE MASS, THE LARGER THE GRAVITATIONAL PULL.
18. Which three planets shown have less gravitational pull than Earth?
MARS
PLUTO
(1) ____________________
(2) ____________________
(3) ____________________
MERCURY
*Base your answers to questions 19-20 on the partial map of the State of Wyoming below. The
locations of Casper and Rawlins, Wyoming, are shown.
X
19. Explain why sunrise in Casper occurs 4 minutes earlier than sunrise in Rawlins.
BECAUSE CASPER IF FURTHER EAST THAN RAWLINS. THE EARTH ROTATES
________________________________________________________________________________
FROM WEST TO EAST.
20. On the map above, place an X to represent the location of Medicine Bow, Wyoming, (42° N, 106° W).
*Base your answers to questions 21-23 on the diagram below, which shows Earth at one point in its orbit
around the Sun. The length of daylight experienced at different latitudes on a given date is shown on the
diagram.
21. Describe how the length of daylight changes from the
Equator to the North Pole on the date shown.
IT _____________________________________
BECOMES LESS AS YOU MOVE NORTH.
22. What season is beginning in the Northern Hemisphere?
WINTER BECAUSE IT IS TLITED AWAY FROM
THE __________________________________
SUN.
23. Explain why the South Pole receives 24 hours of
daylight on the date shown.
IT_____________________________________
IS TILTED INTO THE SUNS LIGHT.
*Base your answers to questions 24-26 on the diagram below. The diagram shows the Sun, Earth, and
the Moon as seen from a point in space far above Earth’s North Pole. The shaded areas represent
darkness. Point X represents a location on Earth’s surface.
24. From Earth, an observer can view the phases of the Moon
over time.
a. Circle the phase of the Moon that an observer at X would
see when the Sun, Earth, and the Moon are in the positions
shown in the diagram. Assume there is no eclipse at that time.
b. How long would it be until the Moon is in this phase again?
__________________________________
ABOUT A MONTH (29 ½ DAYS).
25. Identify one force that keeps Earth in orbit around the Sun. __________________________
GRAVITY & INERTIA
26. How long does it take for Earth to make one revolution around the Sun? ___________________
ONE YEAR – 365 ¼ DAYS
*Base your answers to questions 27 - 29 on the information below.
The Moon orbits Earth in a regular and predictable motion.
29 ½
DAYS
27. Approximately how long does it take for one complete cycle of the Moon’s phases to occur? ________
28. What is the major force that keeps the Moon in its orbit around Earth? ___________________
GRAVITY & INERTIA
29. Identify one observable event, other than the Moon’s phases, caused by the Moon orbiting Earth.
TIDE CHANGES
__________________________________________________________________________________
30. The illustration below shows the Moon orbiting
Earth and Earth orbiting the Sun.
Which force is responsible for these orbiting
motions?
(1) friction
(3) magnetism
(2) electricity
(4) gravity
35. The Sun appears larger than other stars because
of its
(1) yellow color
(2) high temperature
(3) distance from Earth
(4) chemical composition
36. In New York State, an observer will usually see
the Sun rise in the
(1) north
(3) east
(2) south
(4) west
31. What is one factor that contributes to
seasons occurring in New York State?
(1) the revolution of the Moon around Earth
(2) the tilt of Earth on its axis
(3) the rising and falling of ocean tides
(4) the distance of Earth from the Sun
32. The Moon has the greatest effect on Earth’s
(1) year
(3) ocean tides
(2) seasons
(4) daylight hours
33. The gravitational force between the Moon
And Earth depends on
(1) their masses, only
(2) their diameters, only
(3) their masses and how far apart they are
(4) their diameters and how far apart they are
37. The gravitational force between two objects
depends on the distance between the objects and
each object’s
(1) mass
(3) pressure
(2) volume
(4) temperature
38. A full Moon is observed in Buffalo, New York,
on June 1. Approximately when will the next full
Moon be observed in Buffalo?
(1) June 7
(3) July 1
(2) (2) June 15
(4) July 7
39. The diagram below shows Earth at four locations
in its orbit around the Sun.
34. The diagram below shows Earth as viewed from
space.
What motion of Earth is
represented by the arrow
in the diagram?
____________________
ROTATION
Which motion do the arrows in the diagram represent?
(1) Earth’s rotation
(3) Earth’s revolution
(2) the Sun’s rotation
(4) the Sun’s revolution
40. On which date does North America usually experience the longest period of
daylight?
(1) March 21
(2) June 21
(3) September 21
(4) December 21
41. Which force keeps the planets in their orbits around the Sun?
(1) gravity
(2) magnetism
(3) electricity
(4) friction
*Base your answers to questions 42 - 45 on the map below. The shaded portion of the map indicates
areas of night and the unshaded portion indicates areas of daylight at a certain hour on December 21.
42. Why is there more daylight shown on the map south of the equator?
__________________________________________________________________________________
ON DEC. 21ST , THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE IS HAVING SUMMER SO IT HAS MORE
DAYLIGHT HOURS.
43. Explain how the areas of daylight and night would be different if the map represented June 21 instead
of December 21.
__________________________________________________________________________________
IT WOULD BE THE OPPOSITE.
44. What type of coordinate system is represented by the horizontal and vertical lines shown on the map?
__________________________________________________________________________________
LATITUDE & LONGITUDE
45. What causes the lighted portion on the map to move westward during the day represented? _______
_________________________________________________________________________________
ROTATION OF THE EARTH.
46. The diagram below shows the orbit of Halley’s Comet around the Sun. Earth’s orbit is also shown.
The only years shown in which Halley’s Comet could be viewed from Earth without the use of a telescope
were 1910 and 1986. What is the next year in which Halley’s Comet will be visible from the Earth without the use of a telescope?
(1) 2010 (2) 2086
(3) 2062
(4) 2110
*Base your answers to questions 47-48 on the
diagram below. The diagram shows the position
of Earth in relation to the Sun on December 21,
which is the first day of winter in the Northern
Hemisphere. The shaded area represents the
portion of Earth experiencing nighttime.
NORTH POLE
47. The diagram to the right shows Earth in relation
to the Sun on June 21, which is the first day of
summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Draw
SOUTH POLE
and label the positions of the North and South
Poles on the diagram.
48. On the diagram to the right, shade the portion
of Earth experiencing nighttime on June 21.
*Base your answers to questions 49-50 on the diagram below. The diagram represents the motion of the
Moon around Earth as seen from above the North Pole. One position of the Moon in its orbit is shown.
49. Which Moon phase will usually be seen from Earth when the Moon is in this position?
50. The time it takes the Moon to revolve once around Earth is approximately one
(1) day
(3) month
(2) week
(4) year
*Base your answers to questions 51-52 on
the map below. Points A & B are locations
on the map.
56. In the diagram below, the letters A-C represent three
identical satellites and their distances from Earth.
X
a. Which one would feel the strongest pull of Earths gravity?
_____________________________________________
LETTER A
b. Explain your answer in part a. ______________________
________________________________________________
IT IS CLOSER TO THE EARTH.
51. On the map above, place an X at
40° N 20° W.
52. Explain why location B will
experience sunrise before location A.
IT IS FURTHER EAST.
c. Predict what might happen to satellite B if the forces acting
on it become unbalanced.
________________________________________________
IT WOULD MOVE FROM ITS CURRENT POSITION.
________________________________________________
*Base your answers to questions 53-55
on the diagram below that shows Earth’s
revolution around the Sun. Letters A-D
represent the beginning of each season.
57. Label the diagram & fill in the blanks with facts for
each date:
MARCH 21ST
JUNE 21ST
DEC 21ST
SEPT 21ST
June 21__________________________________________
ST
53. State one reason that Earth has seasons.
________________________________________
EARTHS TILT – 23 ½ DEGREES
54. How much time would take it to go
from position D & return to position D?
________________________________________
365 DAYS – 1 YEAR
55. Which season begins in the Northern
Hemisphere when Earth is at position A?
________________________________________
SUMMER – JUNE 21ST
SUMMER SOLSTICE, 1 DAY OF SUMMER, NORTH POLE
24 HRS DAY, LONGEST DAY, DIRECT SUN RAYS.
Sept. 21__________________________________________
FALL/AUTUMNAL
EQUINOZ, 12 HRS. DAY & NIGHT
Dec. 21__________________________________________
WINTER SOLSTICE, 1ST DAY OF WINTER, NORTH POLE
24 HRS NIGHT, SHORTEST DAY, INDIRECT SUN RAYS.
March 21_________________________________________
SPRING/VERNAL
EQUINOZ, 12 HRS. DAY & NIGHT