Name:

1. Polaris was used for navigation by seafarers such as Columbus as they sailed from
Europe to North America. When Magellan sailed the South Seas, he could not use
Polaris for navigation. Briefly explain why.

2. If you were standing at Earths North Pole, where would you see the north celestial
pole relative to your zenith?

3. Observers in the Northern Hemisphere see the zodiacal constellation Gemini in the
winter. Why do they not see it in the summer?

4. Earth spins on its axis and wobbles like a top.

a. How long does it take to complete one spin?

b. How long does it take to complete one wobble?

5. Briefly explain how a cyclic change in Earths tilt would affect its seasonal
temperature variations.

6. Earth is spinning along at 1,674 km/h at the equator. Use this fact, along with the
length of day, to calculate the Earths equatorial diameter.
Ans
7. Determine the latitude where you live.
a. On the back of this quiz draw and label a diagram showing that your latitude
is the same as the altitude of the north celestial pole and that the angle
(along the meridian) between the celestial equator and your local zenith.
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Name:
b. What is the altitude of the Sun at noon as seen from your home at the times
of the winter solstice and the summer solstice?
c. You estimate an angle of 40 degrees between your zenith and Polaris.
i. What is the altitude of Polaris?
ii. What is your latitude?
iii. Are you in the continental United States or Canada?

8. The southernmost star in a group of stars known as the Southern Cross lies
approximately 65 south of the celestial equator.
a. What is the farthest-north latitude for which the entire Southern Cross is
visible?
b. Can it be seen from the United States?
c. If so, which ones?
9. Imagine that you are standing on the South Pole at the time of summer solstice.
a. How many degrees above the horizon will the Sun be at noon?

b. How far above (or below) the horizon will the Sun be at midnight?

10.
Suppose the tilt of the Earths equator relative to its orbit were 10 instead of
23.5. At what latitudes would the Arctic and Antarctic circles and the Tropic of
Cancer and Capricorn be located?
a. Arctic Circle
b. Tropic of Cancer
c. Tropic of Capricorn
d. Antarctic Circle

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Name:
11.
The Moons orbit is tilted by about 5 relative to the Earths orbit around the
Sun. What is the highest altitude in the sky that the Moon can reach, as seen in
Philadelphia, PA (latitude 40 N)?
Ans
12.
Suppose you would like to witness the midnight Sun (when the Sun appears
just above the northern horizon at midnight), but you dont want to travel any
farther north than necessary.

a. How far north (that is to which latitude) would you have to go?

b. At what time of year would you make this trip?

13.
(a) The vernal equinox is now in the zodiacal constellation Pisces. The
precession of Earths axis will eventually cause the vernal equinox to move into
Aquarius. How long, on average, does the vernal equinox spend in each of the 12
zodiacal constellations? (b) Stonehenge was erected roughly 4,000 years ago.
Referring to the figure below, identify the constellation in which these ancient
builders saw the vernal equinox?
(a)_________________

(b)_________________

14.
Referring to the figure below, estimate when Vega, the fifth brightest star in
the night sky, will once again be the northern star?
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Name:

2000

Ans

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