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






2. All of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation






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






4. A system of galaxies containing from several to thousands of member galaxies






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






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






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






8. Any natural satellite of a planet






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






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






11. A graph relating the temperature and brightness of stars






12. Explained movement of planets with retrograde motion






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






14. Influenced by Copernicus; Built observatory and collected data on the locations of stars and planets for over 20 years






15. A rapidly spinning neutron star that produces radio waves






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






17. The study of the universe






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






19. The brightness of a star when viewed from Earth






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






21. The theory that states that gravity will over come the expansion of the universe and bring everything together in an implosion






22. The most distant point in the orbit of the moon






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






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






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






26. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






35. Planets with low densities and are huge gas giants. Jupiter - Saturn - Uranus - Neptune






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






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






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






39. Chunk of rock or dust in space






40. Influenced by Copernicus; Built observatory and collected data on the locations of stars and planets for over 20 years






41. Any of the small solid extraterrestrial bodies that hits the earth's atmosphere






42. An immense cloud of gas (mainly hydrogen) and dust in interstellar space






43. A system of galaxies containing from several to thousands of member galaxies






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






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






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






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






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






49. The theory that states that gravity will over come the expansion of the universe and bring everything together in an implosion






50. Any of the small solid extraterrestrial bodies that hits the earth's atmosphere