Astronomy Flash Cards Exam 2

Reviewed by Editorial Team
The ProProfs editorial team is comprised of experienced subject matter experts. They've collectively created over 10,000 quizzes and lessons, serving over 100 million users. Our team includes in-house content moderators and subject matter experts, as well as a global network of rigorously trained contributors. All adhere to our comprehensive editorial guidelines, ensuring the delivery of high-quality content.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| By Thames
T
Thames
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 6820 | Total Attempts: 9,511,149
| Questions: 30
Please wait...
Question 1 / 30
0 %
0/100
Score 0/100
1. What is a light year and what is it useful for?

Explanation

A light year is a unit of distance, not time or brightness. It is the distance light travels in one year and is commonly used in astronomy to measure vast distances between stars.

Submit
Please wait...
About This Quiz
Astronomy Flash Cards Exam 2 - Quiz

Flash cards for 2nd astronomy exam

2. What is an astronomical unit (AU) and what is it useful for?

Explanation

An astronomical unit (AU) is a unit of measurement defined as the average distance between the sun and the Earth. It is primarily used for measuring distances within our solar system, specifically between the sun and planets. The incorrect answers provided do not accurately define an astronomical unit or its primary use.

Submit
3. What is a parsec and how is it useful?

Explanation

A parsec is a unit of distance, not time. It is not related to the brightness of celestial objects, and the distance between the Earth and the moon is not defined by a parsec.

Submit
4. What is the celestial sphere?

Explanation

The celestial sphere is a concept used in astronomy to map and locate celestial objects in the sky, it is not a tangible object or instrument used for viewing planets. It also does not support the geocentric theory of the universe.

Submit
5. What does the moon do?

Explanation

The moon orbits a planet, typically Earth, rather than producing its own light, being made of cheese, or controlling the tides.

Submit
6. What characteristic defines a planet?

Explanation

The correct answer is 'orbits a star' because planets are celestial bodies that revolve around a star in a specific orbit. Moons revolve around planets, planets can have rings but are not defined by them, and comets are icy bodies that can have highly elliptical orbits.

Submit
7. What is a star?
Submit
8. What is a solar system?

Explanation

A solar system is a star orbited by planets, not a group of stars, a system of planets orbiting a moon, or a collection of comets and asteroids.

Submit
9. What is a galaxy?

Explanation

A galaxy is a vast system of stars, star clusters, dust, and gas bound together by gravity. Galaxies can vary in size and shape, with our own Milky Way being an example of a spiral galaxy.

Submit
10. What is the universe?

Explanation

The universe refers to the entirety of space, time, matter, and energy, encompassing everything that exists. It is much more than just a grouping of stars and galaxies or our solar system, and it is not an alternate dimension.

Submit
11. What is a solstice?

Explanation

A solstice occurs when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky relative to the observer's latitude.

Submit
12. What is an equinox?

Explanation

An equinox is a phenomenon where the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in almost equal lengths of day and night. It marks the beginning of the spring or autumn season.

Submit
13. What is the ecliptic plane?

Explanation

The ecliptic plane refers to the plane in which Earth orbits around the sun. It is not related to the moon's orbit, the Milky Way galaxy, or the Sun's rotation.

Submit
14. What is a new moon?

Explanation

A new moon occurs when the moon is located between the Earth and the Sun, with the side of the moon facing the Earth being completely shadowed, thus none of the lunar disc is visible.

Submit
15. What is a full moon?

Explanation

A full moon is when the entire lunar disc is visible, opposite to a new moon where the moon is completely invisible.

Submit
16. What is a crescent moon?

Explanation

A crescent moon refers to the appearance of the moon when it is less than half full, showcasing a curved shape like the inner curve of a circle or sphere.

Submit
17. What is a quarter moon?

Explanation

A quarter moon is a lunar phase when the moon appears half full, not completely disappeared, not right before a full moon, and not related to the color red.

Submit
18. What is a gibbous moon?

Explanation

A gibbous moon refers to a phase when the moon is more than half full but not yet completely full. It is a term used to describe the shape of the moon during its waxing or waning phases.

Submit
19. What is a lunar eclipse?

Explanation

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon and casts its shadow on the moon. This can only happen during a full moon when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned in a straight line.

Submit
20. What is a solar eclipse?

Explanation

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, blocking all or a portion of the sun's light. It only happens during a new moon phase when the moon is positioned between the earth and the sun.

Submit
21. What is meant by geocentric?

Explanation

Geocentric refers to the belief or model that places the Earth at the center of the universe.

Submit
22. What does the term 'heliocentric' refer to?

Explanation

Heliocentric refers to the idea that the Sun is at the center of our solar system, as opposed to Earth or any other celestial body.

Submit
23. What is aphelion?

Explanation

Aphelion refers to the point in an object's orbit where it is farthest from the sun. It is the opposite of perihelion, which is when something is closest to the sun.

Submit
24. What is perihelion?

Explanation

Perihelion refers to the point in the orbit of a body (e.g. a planet, asteroid) when it is closest to the sun. It is the opposite of aphelion, which is the point in the orbit when the body is farthest from the sun.

Submit
25. What is the definition of an elliptical shape?

Explanation

An elliptical shape is defined as not being a perfect circle but rather flattened in some way.

Submit
26. What does orbital eccentricity refer to in astronomy?

Explanation

Orbital eccentricity specifically refers to how elliptical (non-circular) an orbit is, rather than its size, speed, or distance from the Sun.

Submit
27. In what order do the planets lie outward from the sun?

Explanation

The correct order of planets outward from the sun is based on their distance from the sun in our solar system, beginning with Mercury closest to the sun and ending with Pluto, which was traditionally considered the ninth planet before being reclassified as a dwarf planet.

Submit
28. How can you differentiate between a planet and a star using the naked eye?

Explanation

When observing the night sky, the key differences between planets and stars lie in their movement, brightness, and steadiness of light. Stars have fixed positions relative to each other while planets exhibit independent movement. Additionally, planets are typically brighter and emit steadier light compared to twinkling stars. Understanding these distinctions can help in identifying planets from stars.

Submit
29. Which phase of the moon is this?

Explanation

The new moon phase occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, with its dark side facing Earth. This phase marks the beginning of the lunar cycle.

Submit
30. Which phase of the moon is this?

Explanation

The crescent moon phase is when the moon appears as a thin curved shape. The other options, full moon, half moon, and new moon, represent different phases of the moon that do not match the description given in the question.

Submit
View My Results

Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Aug 4, 2025 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Aug 04, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Aug 04, 2025
    Quiz Created by
    Thames
Cancel
  • All
    All (30)
  • Unanswered
    Unanswered ()
  • Answered
    Answered ()
What is a light year and what is it useful for?
What is an astronomical unit (AU) and what is it useful for?
What is a parsec and how is it useful?
What is the celestial sphere?
What does the moon do?
What characteristic defines a planet?
What is a star?
What is a solar system?
What is a galaxy?
What is the universe?
What is a solstice?
What is an equinox?
What is the ecliptic plane?
What is a new moon?
What is a full moon?
What is a crescent moon?
What is a quarter moon?
What is a gibbous moon?
What is a lunar eclipse?
What is a solar eclipse?
What is meant by geocentric?
What does the term 'heliocentric' refer to?
What is aphelion?
What is perihelion?
What is the definition of an elliptical shape?
What does orbital eccentricity refer to in astronomy?
In what order do the planets lie outward from the sun?
How can you differentiate between a planet and a star using the naked...
Which phase of the moon is this?
Which phase of the moon is this?
Alert!

Advertisement