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. Any substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances






2. Every object in the universe was attracted to every other object w/ a force that is directly proportional to the masses and proportional to distance between them






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






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






5. The study of the spectra of stars by analyzing the spectral properties of the light they give off






6. A system of two stars that revolve around each other under their mutual gravitation






7. A star that ejects some of its material in the form of a cloud and become more luminous in the process






8. The comet discovered in 1705 that repeats itself every 76 years and last appeared in 1986.


9. 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






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






11. Point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth






12. Brahe's assistant - German astronomer who first discovered the three laws of planetary motion (1571-1630)






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






14. The formation of a celestial object by the effect of gravity pulling together surrounding objects and gases






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






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






17. A rapidly spinning neutron star that produces radio waves






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






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






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






21. The decrease in wavelength of light due to an object moving away from the oberver






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






23. Radiation left over from the beginning of the universe






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






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






26. The spinning of Earth on its axis






27. Large group of stars - dust - and gas held together by gravity; can be elliptical - spiral - or irregular






28. Astronomical telescope that picks up electromagnetic radiations in the radio-frequency range from extra-terrestrial sources






29. The farther away a galaxy is - the faster it is moving away


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






31. One of the small asteroid-like bodies that formed the building blocks of the planets






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






33. When the moon passes between earth and the sun - blocking the sunlight from reaching earth






34. The apparent change in position of an object when seen from different places






35. The spinning of Earth on its axis






36. Change in the apparent frequency of a wave as observer and source move toward or away from each other






37. 23.5° - the reason we have seasons


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






39. The comet discovered in 1705 that repeats itself every 76 years and last appeared in 1986.


40. The elliptical motion of a body as it orbits another body in space






41. The increase in wavelength of light due to an object moving away from the observer






42. A spectrum of light in which there are no gaps - so that each region blends directly into the next






43. A rapidly spinning neutron star that produces radio waves






44. Space object made of dust and rock particles mixed with frozen water - methane - and ammonia that forms a bright coma as it approaches the Sun






45. A large body in space that orbits a star and does not produce light of its own






46. The brightness of a star when viewed from Earth






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






48. The increase in wavelength of light due to an object moving away from the observer






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






50. One of the small asteroid-like bodies that formed the building blocks of the planets