THE WEEKLY ASTRONOMY QUIZ
WINTER SKY QUIZ
Originally posted February 22, 2008
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Time once again for the "Daily Astronomer's Weekly Astronomy Quiz." Though last week's jaunt through the mystical realm of astronomical science fiction caused some lederhosen to bunch, we still hope it was as enjoyable as it was educational and entertaining. This week, we revert back to basics with a pure, 115% all-astronomy quiz. As we have failed miserably to will this winter away with the mere power of thought, we might as well embrace this crystalline season now that we have only six more months of it to savour.
So, this week, a Winter Sky Quiz.
CLICK ON THE ANSWER TO SEE IF YOU'RE CORRECT
1. Which of the following statements about aurora displays is false?
a. Best seen in the winter
b. Generally, the best time of night to see them is 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
c. They are caused by the excitation of gas atoms by charged solar particles
d. Galileo named this phenomena "Aurora Borealis," which means "Northern Dawn."
2. The Winter Hexagon is a large pattern consisting of stars that are parts of different constellations. Which ONE of the following is NOT one of these constellations?
a. Orion
b. Auriga
c. Canis Major
d. Eridanus
3. What is the brightest star visible in the winter sky?
a. Betelgeuse
b. Sirius
c. Rigel
d. None of the above
4. The arc of the Milky Way Galaxy stretches from North to South early this evening. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
a. This evening, we're looking toward the outer part of the Galaxy
b. This evening, we're looking toward the inner part of the Galaxy
c. In the original drawings, Papa Smurf wore a black beret and went on benders with Che Guevara
d. The part of the Galaxy we're seeing this evening is in the brightest spiral arm
5. What animal is just south of Orion?
a. Unicorn
b. Hare
c. Tortoise
d. Camelopardalis
6. Presently, the Sun appears to be passing through which constellation?
a. Ursa Major
b. Aquarius
c. Capricornus
d. Achilles
7. Orion is high in the South at 7:00 p.m. this evening. So, at what time was Orion high in the South exactly a month ago?
a. Not enough information to determine
b. Still 7:00 p.m.
c. 5:00 p.m.
d. 9:00 p.m.
1. a. Best seen in the winter
You'll have the best chance to see the Aurora around either Equinox. Of course, one can see these displays any time of year.
2. d. Eridanus
The northernmost part of the River constellation Eridanus is just to the west of Orion. The constellation's brightest star is not visible at this latitude. The stars in the Winter Hexagon are Rigel (Orion), Aldebaran (Taurus), Capella (Auriga), Castor and Pollux (Gemini), Procyon (Canis Minor), Sirius (Canis Major). Betelgeuse (Orion) is sometimes regarded as being part of the Hexagon as it occupies the approximate center. Still, none of Eridanus' stars comprise any section of the large pattern easily visible in the early evening sky.
3. d. None of the above
The brightest star visible in the winter sky is the SUN. :-)
4. a. This evening, we're looking toward the outer part of the Galaxy
Think of the galaxy as being like a sprawling metropolis. The nucleus is the central city and the outer arms are in the outer suburbs. Our solar system occupies a tiny part of the inner suburb. The region of the galaxy visible in the winter evening sky is toward the outer arm: the distant suburbs. Hence, it is dimmer than the Summer evening Milky Way, which is a brilliant sight filled with rich star fields.
5. b. Hare
Lepus the Hare is just south of Orion.
There is no Tortoise in the sky, unless you count the infinite column of Tortoises upon which the planet is precariously poised.
6. b. Aquarius
The Sun appears to be passing through Aquarius, after having recently left Capricornus. The next constellation destination for the Sun is Pisces: the constellation it occupies on the first day of Spring!
7. d. 9:00 p.m.
Recall the two-hour rule. A star rises about 4 minutes earlier each day; 1 hour earlier every two weeks and 2 hours earlier every month. So, Orion is high in the South tonight at 7:00 p.m. and will be high in the south at 5:00 p.m. a month from now. Orion was high in the South a month ago at 9:00 p.m.
Ratings!
7 right: You're the very model of a modern major general
4-6 right: You've information animal, vegetable, but not mineral
2-3 right: You forgot our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's
0 - 1 right: You're the croaking chorus from the Frogs of Aristophanes