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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






11. An elongated circle - or oval shape - the shape of the planets orbit






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






13. Chunk of rock or dust in space






14. 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






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






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






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






18. Light distance travels in one year (9.5 trillion km)






19. Any substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances






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






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






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






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






24. All of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation






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






26. English mathematician and physicist - discovered the law of universal gravitation






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






28. Spectrum of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a self-luminous source






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






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






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






32. The spinning of Earth on its axis






33. An elongated circle - or oval shape - the shape of the planets orbit






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






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






36. Explained movement of planets with retrograde motion






37. A faint star of enormous density






38. Any natural satellite of a planet






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






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






41. 23.5° - the reason we have seasons


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






43. Planet with a solid - rocky crust; more dense; Inner planet. Mercury - Venus - Earth - Mars






44. A space telescope and camera named for a famous astronaut (Edward Hubble) used to study space elements






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






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






47. 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






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






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






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