Astronomy
Chapter 1
Name: ________________________________
Worksheet 1
Block: ________________________________
Match the definition to the correct word or term
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1. Celestial equator
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2. Celestial poles
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3. Celestial sphere
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4. Constellation
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5. Eclipse seasons
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6. Ecliptic
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7. Equinox
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8. Horizon
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9. Lunar eclipse
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10. Model
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11. Phases
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12. Precession
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13. Rotation axis
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14. Solar eclipse
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15. Solstice
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16. Zodiac
A. A theoretical representation of some object or system
B. The path that the Sun appears to make around the celestial
sphere as the Earth moves along its orbit
C. The beginning of winter and summer, when the Sun is at its
greatest distance north or south of the celestial equator
D. An imaginary point on the celestial sphere directly above Earth’s
North or South Pole
E. The line separating the sky from the ground
F. The passage of the Moon between the Earth and the Sun so that
our view of the Sun is partially or totally blocked
G. The changing illumination of the Moon or other body that causes
its apparent shape to change
H. An imaginary line through the center of a body about which the
body spins
I. An imaginary sphere surrounding the Earth representing the sky
J. A band running around the celestial sphere in which the planets
move
K. The times of year, separated by about 6 months, when eclipses
are possible
L. The passage of the Earth between the Sun and the Moon so that
Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon
M. The time of year when the Sun appears to cross the celestial
equator
N. An imaginary line of the celestial sphere lying exactly above the
Earth’s equator
O. The slow change in direction of the pole of a spinning body or of
the orientation of an orbit
P. A grouping of stars on the night sky
Circle the letter that corresponds to the correct answer
17. If you are standing at the Earth’s North Pole, which of the following will be directly overhead?
a. The celestial equator
b. The eclipse
c. The zodiac
d. The north celestial pole
e. The Sun
18. Ancients noticed patterns in the motion of the objects in the sky, which led to the development of units
of time like hours, days, weeks, months, and years. Which of the following moves the least in the sky,
regardless of the period being considered?
a. The Moon
b. The Sun
c. Polaris
d. Sirius, the dog star
19. If you observe Polaris to be 55O above the horizon, you are at a latitude of approximately
a. 31.5O
b. 45O
c. 55O
d. 65O
e. 78.5O
20. In the Northern Hemisphere, summertime is warmer than wintertime because
a. The Earth’s orbit is an ellipse
b. The Sun is visible for more hours
c. Sunlight in more concentrated on the ground
d. Both (b) and (c)
e. All the answers are true
21. If there is waning gibbous moon visible in Chicago, that night in Australia there will be a
a. Waxing crescent moon
b. Waning gibbous moon
c. Waxing gibbous moon
d. Waning crescent moon
22. You observe the Moon rising at 6 p.m., around sunset. Its phase is
a. 1st quarter
b. New
c. Full
d. 3rd quarter
23. You observe the Moon rising at 3 a.m., a few hours before sunrise. Its phase is
a. Between new and first quarter
b. Between first quarter and full
c. Between full and third quarter
d. Between third quarter and new
24. If you see a full Moon at midnight, about how long will it be until there is a new Moon?
a. 12 hours
b. 3 days
c. 2 weeks
d. 6 months
25. Figure 1.15 shows an eclipse of the Sun. The black circle in the middle is
a. The Earth’s shadow on the Sun
b. The Sun’s shadow on the Moon
c. The Moon covering the Sun
d. The Earth’s shadow on the Moon
e. A dark cloud on our atmosphere
Answer the following questions
26. What causes the seasons?
27. How long does it take the Moon to go through its cycle of phases?
28. How much later does the Moon rise each day?
29. Why aren’t there eclipses each month?