Earth Science Regents Astronomy Review

Question 1

Which statement correctly compares the size, composition, and density of Neptune to Earth?

Accepted Answer

Neptune is larger, more gaseous, and less dense.

Question 2

The terrestrial planets differ from the Jovian planets because the terrestrial planets are

Accepted Answer

more dense and smaller

Question 3

Which star has the greatest probability of producing a supernova explosion?

Accepted Answer

Betelgeuse

Question 4

Which statement best explains the apparent sinking of this sailboat?

Accepted Answer

The sailboat is moving around the curved surface of Earth

Question 5

The same side of the Moon always faces Earth because the

Accepted Answer

Moon rotates once as it completes one revolution around

Question 6

If Earth’s tilt were to increase from 23.5° to 33.5° the result would be

Accepted Answer

colder winters and warmer summers in the Northern Hemisphere

Question 7

Cosmic background radiation provides direct evidence for the origin of

Accepted Answer

the universe

Question 8

Differences in Earth’s orbital velocity around the Sun are caused primarily by changes in the

Accepted Answer

distance between Earth and the Sun

Question 9

Which observation provides the best evidence that Earth revolves around the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Constellations are seen at different times in the year

Question 10

Which star color indicates the hottest star surface temperature?

Accepted Answer

blue

Question 11

Which sequence correctly lists the relative sizes from smallest to largest?

Accepted Answer

our solar system, Milky Way Galaxy, universe

Question 12

Which observation provides the best evidence that Earth rotates?

Accepted Answer

The direction of the focault pendulum changes during the day

Question 13

The time required for the Moon to complete one cycle of phases is about one

Accepted Answer

month

Question 14

Which sequence of stars is listed in order of increasing luminosity?

Accepted Answer

Procyon B, Sun, Sirius, Betelgeuse

Question 15

Surface ocean currents curve to the right in the Northern Hemisphere because

Accepted Answer

Earth spins on its axis

Question 16

Which number below is most eccentric?

Accepted Answer

1

Question 17

How does the Sun provide us with energy?

Accepted Answer

radiation

Question 18

Per the previous question, during which season is Earth’s orbital velocity greatest?

Accepted Answer

winter

Question 19

Ocean tides are best described as

Accepted Answer

predictable and cyclic

Question 20

What is the definition of eccentricity?

Accepted Answer

The shape of the orbit of a planet

Question 21

Describe the length of the waves as energy enters and exits the Earth's atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

comes in as short wave, leaves as long wave

Question 22

Which planet’s orbit is most nearly circular?

Accepted Answer

Venus

Question 23

The North Star (Polaris) can be used for navigation in Earth’s Northern Hemisphere because

Accepted Answer

the altitude of Polaris is equal to the observer’s latitude

Question 24

The highest high tides and the lowest low tides occurred when the Moon was near

Accepted Answer

full moon and a new-Moon phase

Question 25

Energy is produced within a star’s core by the process of

Accepted Answer

nuclear fusion

Question 26

The Doppler red shift theory proves the universe is currently

Accepted Answer

expanding only

Question 27

What is the eccentricity of a planet whose focal distance is 6 cm and major axis is 22.3 cm?

Accepted Answer

0.269

Question 28

Which object is located at one foci of the elliptical orbit of the planets in our solar system?

Accepted Answer

the Sun

Question 29

Which planet has the most eccentric (least circular) orbit?

Accepted Answer

Mercury

Question 30

Terrestrial planets move more rapidly in their orbits than the Jovian planets because they are

Accepted Answer

closer to the Sun

Question 31

Which planet has an eccentricity similar to the eccentricity of the Moon’s around Earth?

Accepted Answer

Saturn

Question 32

Which star in the ESRT is currently at the Sun’s final predicted stage of development?

Accepted Answer

Procyon B

Question 33

Compared to Neptune, Mercury moves more rapidly in its orbit because Mercury

Accepted Answer

is closer to the Sun

Question 34

Which planet's orbit is more eccentric than Uranus?

Accepted Answer

Saturn

Question 35

The Moon’s cycle of phases can be observed from Earth because the Moon

Accepted Answer

revolves around Earth

Question 36

Which evidence best supports the Big Bang theory?

Accepted Answer

existence of cosmic background radiation

Question 37

Which statement provides the best evidence that Earth revolves around the Sun?

Accepted Answer

The seasons repeat in a pattern

Question 38

What is the inferred age of our solar system, in millions of years?

Accepted Answer

4600

Question 39

The Sun’s position in space is best described as the approximate center of

Accepted Answer

our solar system

Question 40

To an observer in Buffalo, Polaris, is always located at an altitude of approximately

Accepted Answer

43

Question 41

Compared to the luminosity and surface temperature of main sequence stars, blue supergiants are

Accepted Answer

more luminous and have a higher surface temperature

Question 42

Which two stars are most similar in luminosity?

Accepted Answer

Procyon B and Proxima Centauri

Question 43

The cyclic rise and fall of ocean tides on Earth is primarily caused by

Accepted Answer

gravitational attraction of the Moon and the Sun

Question 44

Star A is more luminous than Star B, what could explain this?

Accepted Answer

Star A is larger than Star B.

Question 45

During which stage does a star have a cool surface temperature and the greatest luminosity?

Accepted Answer

giant

Question 46

The passage of the Moon into Earth’s shadow causes a

Accepted Answer

lunar eclipse

Question 47

Which graph best illustrates the surface temperatures of the planets?

Accepted Answer

D

Question 48

An observer on Earth could see a solar eclipse when the Moon is at position

Accepted Answer

4

Question 49

Earth’s orbital velocity is slowest on July 5 because

Accepted Answer

Earth’s distance from the Sun is greatest

Question 50

Which form of electromagnetic energy has the longest wavelength?

Accepted Answer

radio

Question 51

The Coriolis effect causes winds in New York State to generally curve

Accepted Answer

to the right of the direction of travel

Question 52

Explain how this comet’s orbit illustrates the heliocentric model of our solar system.

Accepted Answer

The sun is in the center

Question 53

The deflection of planetary winds (the Coriolis effect) is a direct result of the

Accepted Answer

rotation of Earth

Question 54

The Moon has more surface craters than Earth does because the Moon has

Accepted Answer

no significant atmosphere

Earth Science Regents Astronomy Review

Questions 54

Earth Science Regents Astronomy Review

Questions 54