Astronomy Astronomy/Questions/Astronomy 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the term for the point in a planet's orbit when it is closest to the Sun?
- Aphelion
- Perihelion (Correct answer)
- Zenith
- Apogee
Correct answer: Perihelion
Perihelion is the point in an orbit where a planet is nearest to the Sun. Aphelion is the opposite — the farthest point. Apogee and perigee refer to distances from Earth, not the Sun.
Question 2: Which layer of the Sun is visible to the naked eye during a total solar eclipse as a faint, glowing ring?
- Photosphere
- Chromosphere
- Corona (Correct answer)
- Convection zone
Correct answer: Corona
The corona is the Sun's outermost atmospheric layer, visible as a pearly white halo during a total solar eclipse when the Moon blocks the brighter photosphere. It extends millions of kilometers into space.
Question 3: What phenomenon occurs when Earth passes through the shadow of the Moon?
- Solar eclipse
- Lunar eclipse (Correct answer)
- Transit
- Occultation
Correct answer: Lunar eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, casting Earth's shadow onto the Moon. A solar eclipse is the reverse — when the Moon blocks sunlight from reaching Earth.
Question 4: What is the name of the force that keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?
- Electromagnetic force
- Nuclear force
- Gravity (Correct answer)
- Centrifugal force
Correct answer: Gravity
Gravity is the mutual attractive force between masses. The Sun's gravitational pull continuously curves a planet's path, keeping it in a stable orbit rather than flying off in a straight line.
Question 5: Which unit is used to measure distances within our solar system, defined as the average distance from Earth to the Sun?
- Light-year
- Parsec
- Astronomical Unit (Correct answer)
- Kiloparsec
Correct answer: Astronomical Unit
An Astronomical Unit (AU) equals approximately 149.6 million kilometers — the mean Earth–Sun distance. Light-years and parsecs are used for much larger interstellar and intergalactic distances.
Question 6: What type of celestial object is formed when a massive star exhausts its nuclear fuel and collapses, then explodes outward?
- White dwarf
- Neutron star
- Supernova (Correct answer)
- Pulsar
Correct answer: Supernova
A supernova is the violent stellar explosion that marks the death of a massive star. It briefly outshines entire galaxies and can leave behind remnants such as a neutron star or black hole. White dwarfs form from lower-mass stars without such an explosion.
Astronomy Astronomy/Questions/Astronomy 1
What is the term for the point in a planet's orbit when it is closest to the Sun?