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Quiz about Test Your Astronomical Knowledge

Test Your Astronomical Knowledge Quiz

A general mix of astronomy questions.

A multiple-choice quiz by doh1. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
doh1

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
306,964

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
4363

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 64 (3/10), Guest 74 (7/10), Guest 212 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which naming convention is used for features on Venus? Hint

They are called after famous men or given male names.

Given Alpha/Numeric designations.

Named after famous astronomers.

They are called after famous women or given female names.

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Question 2 of 10

2. What name is given to the centre of gravity of the Earth-Moon system? Hint

Earth-Moon gravity centre.

Barycentre.

Terracentre.

Silacentre.

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Pleiades star cluster is also known by which other name? Hint

The Seven Maidens.

The Seven Sisters.

The Seven Virgins.

The Seven Spinsters.

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Question 4 of 10

4. The O, B, A, F, G, K, M system is used to classify what? Hint

Surface temperature (colour) of stars.

Probability of stars having habitable planets orbiting them.

Size of asteroids.

Classification of planets' atmospheres.

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Question 5 of 10

5. Why did a solar eclipse lead to a "rest day" in the 1980 Jubilee Test cricket match between India and England? Hint

Lack of spectators due to religious ceremonies to mark the event.

An eclipse is regarded as bad luck among Hindus.

Fear of eye damage among spectators.

Lack of light could be dangerous for batsmen.

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Question 6 of 10

6. The Latin name for this constellation is Camelopardalis: its English name is which of the following? Hint

The Giraffe.

The Camel.

The Unicorn.

The Leopard.

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which constellation of the Northern Hemisphere has a distinct "W" shape? Hint

Taurus.

Ursa Major.

Cassiopeia.

Pegasus.

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. What is the name of the Danish astronomer (1546-1601) who had an artificial nose made from gold, silver and wax? Hint

John Dreyer

Ole Romer

Tycho Brahe

Johann Madler

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of the following was the first professional geologist to walk on the Moon? Hint

Harrison Schmitt.

Alan Shepard.

Eugene Cernan.

Fred Haise.

10. In which country will you find the Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange (built about 3200 BC), the passage and chamber of which are illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise (the sunlight shines through a roof box and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber, lasting for 17 minutes at dawn on the winter solstice)? Hint

England.

Wales.

Scotland.

Ireland.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which naming convention is used for features on Venus?

Answer: They are called after famous women or given female names.

Exceptions to the female names for features on Venus are "Alpha Regio", "Beta Regio" and "Maxwell Montes", which were named prior to the International Astronomical Union's adoption of the current system.

2. What name is given to the centre of gravity of the Earth-Moon system?

Answer: Barycentre.

Because the Earth is 81 times more massive than the Moon, the barycentre lies within the globe of the Earth.

3. The Pleiades star cluster is also known by which other name?

Answer: The Seven Sisters.

Located in the constellation of Taurus, this star group is named after the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione of Greek mythology. Despite the connection with seven, most people can only distinguish six bright stars. Viewed even through binoculars or a small telescope, this area of the sky is a spectacular sight.

4. The O, B, A, F, G, K, M system is used to classify what?

Answer: Surface temperature (colour) of stars.

Star colours are classified according to their surface temperature, ranging from M "Red" (less than 3,500K) to O "Blue" (greater than 25,000K). The Sun is classed as a Yellow Star (G) with a surface temp. of 6,000K.

5. Why did a solar eclipse lead to a "rest day" in the 1980 Jubilee Test cricket match between India and England?

Answer: Fear of eye damage among spectators.

The authorities did not want the responsibility for 50,000 spectators risking eye damage by staring at the Sun.

6. The Latin name for this constellation is Camelopardalis: its English name is which of the following?

Answer: The Giraffe.

Monoceros=The Unicorn; Aquila=The Eagle; Cetus=The Whale.

7. Which constellation of the Northern Hemisphere has a distinct "W" shape?

Answer: Cassiopeia.

Lying on the opposite side of the Celestial Pole from Ursa Major (Big Dipper), this constellation consists of five bright stars and is named after the vain queen of Greek mythology, who having angered the God Poseidon was banished to the sky, being forced to spend half of the time in a head-down position.

8. What is the name of the Danish astronomer (1546-1601) who had an artificial nose made from gold, silver and wax?

Answer: Tycho Brahe

Part of his nose was cut off during a student duel.

9. Which of the following was the first professional geologist to walk on the Moon?

Answer: Harrison Schmitt.

Cernan and Schmitt were the last two astronauts of the Apollo programme to walk on the Moon, in 1972; Cernan was the last person to leave the surface.

Answer: Ireland.

Pre-dating the Great Pyramids by some 600 years, studies show that when the site was constructed the sun-beam was so accurately aligned by the roof-box that Newgrange could be used to determine the exact day on which the solstice occurred.

Source: Author doh1

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