ASTR 1P01/02: Introduction to Astronomy I/II

Practice Exam

Please solve the following questions. This is not a real exam, it will not be graded, and you do not need to submit your solutions to anyone. The questions are simply intended to help you practice for the real exam.

These questions will not appear in the exam itself. Students who don't genuinely attempt to solve the questions on their own, and only memorize the solutions, will have a very hard time in the actual exam!

This sample exam is online, but the real exam will be given in person, at a time and place indicated on the course website.

THIS IS NOT THE ACTUAL EXAM!
THIS IS JUST A PRACTICE EXAM!
THE REAL EXAM IS IN PERSON!

If you need any clarifications for these questions, you can ask for them on the course Teams channel.

Question 1

Ptolemy's geocentric model lacked predictive value because...

It was only able to explain the motions of the planets, but not the motions of the Sun and the Moon.
It was only able to explain the complicated motions of the planets using an equally complicated model.
It was only able to explain the complicated motions of the planets using a simple model.

Question 2

Which of the following numbers is the largest?

4 × 10⁵
5 × 10⁶
2 × 10⁷

Question 3

What did Carlson's 1985 astrology experiment prove?

That astrologers cannot correctly predict a person's time and place of birth given the person's personality test results.
That astrologers can correctly predict a person's personality test results given the person's time and place of birth.
That astrologers cannot correctly predict a person's personality test results given the person's time and place of birth.

Question 4

A radio message was sent in 2150 from Earth to the distant planet Epsilon Eridani b, approximately 10 light-years away. When will the message get to the other planet? (Remember: radio waves travel at the speed of light.)

In the year 2158.
In the year 2150.
In the year 2160.

Question 5

Did the Greeks believe that the Earth was at the center of the universe?

No, because they did not observe stellar parallax.
Yes, because they did not observe stellar parallax.
Yes, because they observed stellar parallax.

Question 6

Are lab experiments a very important aspect of astronomy?

Yes.
No.
They used to be in ancient times, but not anymore.

Question 7

One full rotation of the Earth around its axis corresponds to...

A year.
A day.
A month.

Question 8

I am located 20 degrees north of the equator and 40 degrees west of the Prime Meridian. What are my coordinates?

Latitude 20° W, longitude 40° N.
Latitude 20° N, longitude 40° W.
Latitude 40° S, longitude 20° E.

Question 9

Which of the following is not a reliable source of information about astronomy?

Social media posts.
The website for the James Webb Space Telescope, a space telescope operated by NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, and the European Space Agency.
Encyclopedia Britannica.

Question 10

Astronomy is...

A science, which means it uses the scientific method to test the validity of hypotheses.
A pseudo-science, which means it claims to be a science but does not use the scientific method to test the validity of hypotheses.
A science, which means it is based on theories that are proven to be 100% correct and can never be disputed.

Question 11

In science, what is a theory?

An idea that is 100% correct and will never be replaced.
An idea that has not yet been tested.
An idea that has been rigorously tested and is correct to the best of our current knowledge.

Question 12

Which planet's orbits are larger than the Earth's orbit?

Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Mercury and Venus.

Question 13

What is special about the constellations of the zodiac?

They allow astrologers to produce reliable horoscopes.
The stars in these constellations are closer to Earth compared to those in other constellations.
They are the constellations that the Sun appear to pass through over the course of a year.

Question 14

"Last year, when Mars was in retrograde, I broke my arm. Clearly, there must be a connection!" This is an example of...

The appeal to tradition fallacy.
The appeal to popularity fallacy.
The correlation implies causation fallacy.

Question 15

What was the ancient Babylonian text on astrology called?

The Tetrabiblos.
Almagest.
Enuma Anu Enlil.

Question 16

A celestial object which cannot produce its own light is...

Either a star or a planet.
A star.
A planet.

Question 17

When a planet is in retrograde...

The Earth is passing by it and temporarily moving faster than it.
It is moving backwards in its orbit.
You should not start any new relationships.

Question 18

Ptolemy's model...

Is still used by astronomers today due to its accuracy.
Is still used by astronomers today due to its simplicity.
Is not used by astronomers today due to its inaccuracy.

Question 19

When was stellar parallax first measured successfully?

By the ancient Greeks, around 2,000 years ago.
By the Babylonians, around 4,000 years ago.
By Friedrich Bessel, in 1838.

Question 20

The orbits of the planets in the solar system are...

Circles.
Ellipses.
Epicycles.

Question 21

Two scientists have published competing hypotheses. Since they contradict each other, only one can be correct. How will we determine which hypothesis is correct?

The hypothesis from the scientist with a PhD from the more prestigious university is the correct one.
The hypothesis whose predictions have been verified in experiments is the correct one.
The hypothesis that is easier to understand is the correct one.

Question 22

Which supercluster does the Milky Way belong to?

The Virgo Supercluster.
The Pisces Supercluster.
The Leo Supercluster.

Question 23

What is the Barnum effect?

The astrological phenomenon that ensures the horoscope actually describes each individual person accurately.
The cognitive bias that makes people think a horoscope describes them individually, while in fact it is intentionally vague enough to describe anyone.
The effect that produces astrological predictions.

Question 24

The Big Dipper is...

An asterism.
A planet.
A constellation.

Question 25

I am in the south pole. What is directly above me?

The north celestial pole.
The south celestial pole.
The celestial equator.