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Daytime Darkness Trivia Quiz

A solar eclipse is a rare occurrence. Can you answer the following questions and prove you aren't in the dark about this phenomenon?

A multiple-choice quiz by crystal3g. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
crystal3g

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
362,975

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
659

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In an eclipse, what term describes the apparent size of the Moon in comparison to the apparent size of the Sun? Hint

diameter

magnitude

corona

juxtaposition

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Question 2 of 10

2. How many phases are seen during a total eclipse? Hint

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Question 3 of 10

3. Because the orbits of the Earth and Moon are not completely round, eclipses do not happen on a regular basis. What term describes the oval paths of these heavenly bodies? Hint

circular

elliptical

symmetric

asymmetric

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Question 4 of 10

4. It is possible to predict the future dates of solar eclipses.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. During a solar eclipse, the Sun's corona is easily seen. What is the corona? Hint

the sunlight visible through lunar valleys

the outer layer of the Sun's atmosphere

the shadow cast by the Moon onto the Sun

the center of the Sun

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Question 6 of 10

6. There are five different types of solar eclipses.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. Solar eclipses are only possible during which phase of the moon? Hint

waning crescent moon

new moon

full moon

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Question 8 of 10

8. A person can safely look directly at the sun during a partial solar eclipse because the sun's brightness is hidden.

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. How often does a total solar eclipse happen? Hint

every 10 - 20 years

every 50 years

every 100 years

every 1 - 2 years

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following does not occur during a total solar eclipse? Hint

The horizon glows with a narrow band of light.

Animals and birds prepare for sleep or act confused.

Satellites stop working temporarily.

Local temperatures drop 20 degrees or more.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In an eclipse, what term describes the apparent size of the Moon in comparison to the apparent size of the Sun?

Answer: magnitude

A total eclipse has a magnitude greater than 1. During a total eclipse, the Moon completely covers a person's view of the Sun.

2. How many phases are seen during a total eclipse?

Answer: 5

The five phases are first contact, second contact, totality, third contact, and fourth contact. Combined, these phases can last up to 3 hours. Totality usually lasts no longer than 7.5 minutes.

3. Because the orbits of the Earth and Moon are not completely round, eclipses do not happen on a regular basis. What term describes the oval paths of these heavenly bodies?

Answer: elliptical

A totally circular orbit of both the Moon and Earth would result in a total solar eclipse every month.

4. It is possible to predict the future dates of solar eclipses.

Answer: True

Past dates and times of solar eclipses can be used, along with the eclipse cycles, to predict when the next eclipses will happen.

5. During a solar eclipse, the Sun's corona is easily seen. What is the corona?

Answer: the outer layer of the Sun's atmosphere

You usually cannot see the Sun's corona because the photosphere outshines the corona, so it is not easily seen.

6. There are five different types of solar eclipses.

Answer: False

There are actually four different types of solar eclipses. A total eclipse completely covers the light of the Sun. An annular eclipse happens when the Sun and Moon are aligned, but the Moon looks smaller than the Sun. During this type of eclipse, a ring of light can be seen around the Moon.

A hybrid eclipse appears as a total eclipse and an annular eclipse when seen from different points on Earth. During a partial eclipse, the Moon only partially covers the Sun.

7. Solar eclipses are only possible during which phase of the moon?

Answer: new moon

During the new moon phase, the moon moves to the side of the Earth that faces the sun. This allows the three bodies to sometimes line up, creating an eclipse.

8. A person can safely look directly at the sun during a partial solar eclipse because the sun's brightness is hidden.

Answer: False

Looking at the Sun for even short periods of time can cause severe eye damage. To view a solar eclipse, a person should wear special eye protection with solar filters. (And no, sunglasses don't count.)

9. How often does a total solar eclipse happen?

Answer: every 1 - 2 years

Although total solar eclipses happen fairly regularly, each eclipse can only be seen from small areas of the Earth. This means that people are much less likely to see more than one eclipse in a lifetime.

10. Which of the following does not occur during a total solar eclipse?

Answer: Satellites stop working temporarily.

Dusk-like lighting during the hours before an eclipse cause animals to believe night is coming. This also results in lower temperatures similar to nighttime. The light that can be seen on the horizon is from the areas that are not experiencing the eclipse.

Source: Author crystal3g

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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