Astronomy Ultimate Astronomy 2

Question 1

Which planet has the fastest rotation period, completing a full day in under 10 hours?

Accepted Answer

Jupiter

Answer

Jupiter spins once about every 9.9 hours, the fastest of any planet in the Solar System.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Perihelion

Answer

Perihelion is the orbital point nearest the Sun, while aphelion is the farthest.

Question 3

Which type of galaxy is the Milky Way classified as?

Accepted Answer

Barred spiral

Answer

The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy, with a central bar-shaped structure of stars.

Question 4

A light-year is a measure of what quantity?

Accepted Answer

Distance

Answer

A light-year is the distance light travels in one year, roughly 9.46 trillion kilometers.

Question 5

What causes the phases of the Moon as seen from Earth?

Accepted Answer

The relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon

Answer

Moon phases result from how much of the sunlit half we see, based on the Sun-Earth-Moon geometry.

Astronomy Practice Test