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Quiz about Test Your Astronomical Knowledge
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.
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Author
doh1
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
306,964
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Difficult
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
4333
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 212 (9/10), HumblePie7 (2/10), Guest 75 (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Which naming convention is used for features on Venus? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What name is given to the centre of gravity of the Earth-Moon system? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The Pleiades star cluster is also known by which other name? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. The O, B, A, F, G, K, M system is used to classify what? Hint


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


Question 6 of 10
6. The Latin name for this constellation is Camelopardalis: its English name is which of the following? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Which constellation of the Northern Hemisphere has a distinct "W" shape? Hint


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


Question 9 of 10
9. Which of the following was the first professional geologist to walk on the Moon? Hint


Question 10 of 10
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



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Mar 19 2024 : Guest 212: 9/10
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quiz
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.
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)?

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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