Test your basic knowledge |

Astronomy Basics

Subject : science
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Point in orbit that is closest to the sun - planet moves faster






2. A group of about 30 galaxies that includes the Milky Way






3. Remnant of a star that is so dense that nothing - not even light - can escape its gravity field






4. The apparent westward motion of the planets with respect to the stars






5. The luminous cloud of particles surrounding the frozen nucleus of a comet






6. A group of about 30 galaxies that includes the Milky Way






7. A galaxy with a bulge in the middle and arms that spiral outward in a pinwheel pattern






8. The two days of the year on which neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun






9. Point in orbit that is closest to the sun - planet moves faster






10. Galaxy with no particular shape - contains new & old stars






11. The spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that has passed through a medium that absorbed radiation of certain wavelengths






12. A model of the solar system in which Earth and the other planets revolve around the sun






13. A very small star with low temperature - reddish in color






14. A galaxy with a bulge in the middle and arms that spiral outward in a pinwheel pattern






15. The name of our galaxy - a spiral galaxy that contains about 400 billion stars






16. The distance between crests of waves - such as those of the electromagnetic spectrum






17. The place in the orbit of a planet where the planet is farthest from the sun






18. A particle of electromagnetic radiation having zero mass and carrying a quantum of energy






19. Any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter)






20. The blocking of sunlight to the moon that occurs when Earth is directly between the sun and the moon






21. The study of the universe






22. The average distance between the Earth and the sun - or approximately 150000000 km






23. The theory that the universe originated 20 billion years ago from the cataclysmic explosion of a small mass of matter at extremely high density and temperature






24. A variable star that brightens and dims regularly - or pulses - and whose distance can be determined from its period of pulsation






25. A model of the universe based on the assumption that the sun - moon - and planets all orbit Earth






26. A star that falls into the main sequence category on the H-are diagram






27. An enormously bright - distant galaxy with a giant black hole at its center






28. When the northern or southern most point on earth receives the most sun because the earth is tilted toward the sun






29. Polish astronomer who produced a workable model of the solar system with the sun in the center (1473-1543)






30. A galaxy shaped like a flattened ball - containing only old stars






31. Remnant of a star that is so dense that nothing - not even light - can escape its gravity field






32. The luminous cloud of particles surrounding the frozen nucleus of a comet






33. A faint star of enormous density






34. A region of the solar system that is just beyond the orbit of neptune and that contains small bodies made mostly of ice






35. A shift toward the red end of the spectrum in the observed spectral lines of stars or galaxies showing objects are moving away and that the universe is expanding






36. Massive clouds of dust and gases where stars are born






37. An enormously bright - distant galaxy with a giant black hole at its center






38. Radiation left over from the beginning of the universe






39. Italian astronomer - mathematician - and physicist. His telescopes proved the sun is the center of the solar system and that the planets/moon move. He was persecuted for supporting Copernicus' ideas.






40. Optical telescope that has a large convex lens that produces an image that is viewed through the eyepiece






41. The spinning of Earth on its axis






42. Massive clouds of dust and gases where stars are born






43. A telescope that uses a curved mirror to collect and focus light






44. A spherical region of comets that surrounds the solar system






45. A star that expands and cools once it runs out of hydrogen fuel






46. An extremely bright star of very large diameter and low density






47. A galaxy shaped like a flattened ball - containing only old stars






48. A group of stars that form a pattern in the sky






49. A contracting cloud of gas and dust with enough mass to form a star






50. A large cloud of dust and gas that can break apart into smaller pieces and form stars