Astronomy Astronomy/Questions/Astronomy 1

Question 1

What is the term for the point in a planet's orbit when it is closest to the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Perihelion

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Corona

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Lunar eclipse

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Gravity

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Astronomical Unit

Answer

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.

Astronomy Practice Test

Astronomy Practice Test

Astronomy Astronomy/Questions/Astronomy 1