The Astronomy Knowledge Test! Trivia Quiz

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The Astronomy Knowledge Test! Trivia Quiz - Quiz

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Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    What is the traveling speed of the Milky Way galaxy through our universe?

    • A.

      1,350,000 M.P.H.

    • B.

      2,573,000 M.P.H.

    • C.

      2,537,876 M.P.H.

    • D.

      1,200,000 M.P.H.

    Correct Answer
    A. 1,350,000 M.P.H.
    Explanation
    The traveling speed of the Milky Way galaxy through our universe is 1,350,000 M.P.H. This speed refers to the velocity at which our galaxy moves relative to the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is the afterglow of the Big Bang. This speed is influenced by the gravitational pull of nearby galaxies and other cosmic structures.

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  • 2. 

    What is the speed of the solar system around the center of the galaxy?

    • A.

      397,284 Miles Per Hour

    • B.

      612,000 Miles Per Hour

    • C.

      485,000 Miles Per Hour

    • D.

      501,377 Miles Per Hour

    Correct Answer
    B. 612,000 Miles Per Hour
    Explanation
    The speed of the solar system around the center of the galaxy is 612,000 Miles Per Hour. This means that the entire solar system, including the sun and all the planets, is moving at this incredibly fast speed as it orbits around the center of our galaxy. This speed is necessary to counteract the gravitational pull of the massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way and to maintain the stability of our solar system within the galaxy.

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  • 3. 

    What is the speed of Earth (Sol 3) around its primary (the sun, Sol)?

    • A.

      81,400 Miles Per Hour.

    • B.

      94,862 Miles Per Hour

    • C.

      73,489 Miles Per Hour

    • D.

      66,600 Miles Per Hour

    Correct Answer
    D. 66,600 Miles Per Hour
    Explanation
    The correct answer is 66,600 Miles Per Hour. This is the speed at which Earth orbits around the Sun. It is known as the orbital velocity and is determined by the gravitational force between the Earth and the Sun. This speed allows Earth to maintain a stable orbit around the Sun, ensuring that it does not drift away or get pulled into the Sun.

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  • 4. 

    Ian Shelton, who discovered Supernova 1987A, while observing in Chile, was working for what university?

    • A.

      University Of Toronto

    • B.

      Stanford

    • C.

      University Of Washington

    • D.

      Cambridge

    Correct Answer
    A. University Of Toronto
    Explanation
    Ian Shelton, the discoverer of Supernova 1987A, was working for the University of Toronto.

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  • 5. 

    What was so unusual about the Mercury space flights?

    • A.

      Each Capsule's Name Had A 7

    • B.

      They Were All Named Jr.

    • C.

      Each Man Was A Navy Pilot

    • D.

      Each Man Was Over 6 Feet Tall

    Correct Answer
    A. Each Capsule's Name Had A 7
    Explanation
    The unusual aspect of the Mercury space flights was that each capsule's name had a 7. This suggests that the names given to the capsules followed a specific pattern or criteria, possibly related to the mission or design of the spacecraft.

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  • 6. 

    Which sea is not found on the earth's moon?

    • A.

      Sea Of Tranquility

    • B.

      Sea Of Showers

    • C.

      Sea Of Storms

    • D.

      Sea Of Tethys

    Correct Answer
    D. Sea Of Tethys
    Explanation
    The Sea of Tethys is not found on the Earth's moon because it is a feature on Saturn's moon, Enceladus. The other three options, Sea of Tranquility, Sea of Showers, and Sea of Storms, are all lunar maria, which are large, dark, basaltic plains on the moon's surface.

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  • 7. 

    Who is credited with creating the "Big Bang Theory"?

    • A.

      Albert Einstein

    • B.

      Paul Dirac

    • C.

      Stephen Hawking

    • D.

      Georges Lemaitre

    Correct Answer
    D. Georges Lemaitre
    Explanation
    Georges Lemaitre is credited with creating the "Big Bang Theory". He was a Belgian priest, astronomer, and physicist who proposed the theory in the 1920s. Lemaitre's theory suggested that the universe originated from a single, incredibly dense and hot point, which he called the "primeval atom" or the "Cosmic Egg". This theory laid the foundation for our understanding of the universe's origins and has been supported by subsequent scientific evidence, such as the discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation.

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  • 8. 

    Which of these is not a Galilean satellite?

    • A.

      Europa

    • B.

      Miranda

    • C.

      Io

    • D.

      Ganymede

    Correct Answer
    B. Miranda
  • 9. 

    How many times more does Jupiter radiate energy than what it receives from the sun?

    • A.

      2

    • B.

      2.5

    • C.

      3

    • D.

      1.5

    Correct Answer
    B. 2.5
    Explanation
    Jupiter radiates 2.5 times more energy than it receives from the sun. This means that the energy output of Jupiter is 2.5 times greater than the energy input it receives from the sun. This could be due to various factors such as internal heat generated by the planet's core, gravitational energy, or other natural processes occurring within Jupiter.

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  • 10. 

    Which of Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion states the radius vector passes over an equal area in equal time intervals?

    • A.

      Fourth

    • B.

      Third

    • C.

      First

    • D.

      Second

    Correct Answer
    D. Second
    Explanation
    Kepler's Second Law of Planetary Motion states that the radius vector, which connects a planet to the Sun, sweeps out equal areas in equal time intervals. This means that a planet moves faster when it is closer to the Sun and slower when it is farther away, ensuring that the area covered by the radius vector in a specific time period remains constant. This law helps to explain the elliptical shape of planetary orbits and the varying speeds of planets as they orbit the Sun.

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  • 11. 

    What distinction does Mira (Omicron Ceti) hold in astronomy?

    • A.

      First Double Star

    • B.

      First Announced Variable Star

    • C.

      First Recorded Star

    • D.

      First Magnitude Star

    Correct Answer
    B. First Announced Variable Star
    Explanation
    Mira (Omicron Ceti) holds the distinction of being the first announced variable star in astronomy. This means that it was the first star whose brightness was observed to vary over time. The discovery of Mira's variability was significant because it challenged the prevailing belief at the time that stars were fixed and unchanging. This discovery paved the way for further research and understanding of the dynamic nature of stars and their evolution.

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  • 12. 

    In which constellation was the first double star observed?

    • A.

      Canis Major

    • B.

      Orion

    • C.

      Ursa Major

    • D.

      Canis Minor

    Correct Answer
    C. Ursa Major
    Explanation
    The first double star was observed in the constellation Ursa Major. Double stars are two stars that appear close together when viewed from Earth. Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, is a well-known constellation in the northern sky. It contains the famous asterism known as the Big Dipper. The discovery of a double star in Ursa Major would have been significant in the study of astronomy, as it would have provided evidence of multiple stars existing in close proximity to each other.

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  • 13. 

    Which planet was discovered in 1781 with the help of Bode's Law?

    • A.

      Uranus

    • B.

      Neptune

    • C.

      Pluto

    • D.

      Saturn

    Correct Answer
    A. Uranus
    Explanation
    In 1781, the planet Uranus was discovered with the help of Bode's Law. Bode's Law is a mathematical rule that predicts the distances of planets from the Sun based on a simple formula. Uranus was the first planet to be discovered using this law, and its position in the solar system matched the prediction made by Bode's Law. This discovery expanded our understanding of the solar system and paved the way for further exploration and discoveries in astronomy.

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  • 14. 

    What was the maximum age limit for the first U.S. astronauts?

    • A.

      40

    • B.

      65

    • C.

      28

    • D.

      35

    Correct Answer
    A. 40
    Explanation
    The maximum age limit for the first U.S. astronauts was 40. This means that individuals who were 40 years old or younger were eligible to become astronauts.

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  • 15. 

    In which constellation does the vernal equinox appear?

    • A.

      Pisces

    • B.

      Taurus

    • C.

      Aries

    • D.

      Aquarius

    Correct Answer
    A. Pisces
    Explanation
    The vernal equinox refers to the point in the sky where the sun crosses the celestial equator, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. This event occurs in March, and during that time, the sun is located in the constellation of Pisces. Therefore, the vernal equinox appears in the constellation of Pisces.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 20, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Mar 14, 2015
    Quiz Created by
    Thames

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