Bronze Exam

1

What is a galaxy?

A massive system of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter bound by gravity A cluster of planets orbiting a star A type of nebula inside our solar system A pattern of stars as seen from Earth

2

What is a constellation?

A group of stars that are physically close together in space A recognized pattern of stars as seen from Earth forming an area of the sky A cluster of galaxies A type of nebula

3

How can you find Polaris using the Big Dipper?

Follow the handle of the Big Dipper Look directly opposite the Big Dipper Draw a line through the two pointer stars at the end of the bowl Follow the curve of the Big Dipper's bowl downward

4

What does the term 'seeing' refer to in amateur astronomy?

The observer's eyesight quality The atmospheric steadiness affecting image sharpness The transparency of the sky The brightness of the Moon

5

What does the aperture of a telescope refer to?

The length of the telescope tube The magnification power The diameter of the primary lens or mirror The field of view

6

What color are the hottest stars?

Red Yellow Orange Blue-white

7

What is the magnitude scale in astronomy?

A scale measuring the size of celestial objects A scale measuring distance to stars A scale measuring the brightness of celestial objects A scale measuring the temperature of stars

8

Which cardinal direction do you face to see Polaris (the North Star)?

North South East West

9

What is a globular cluster?

A loose grouping of young stars A dense, spherical collection of old stars orbiting a galaxy A cluster of galaxies A group of nebulae

10

What causes a lunar eclipse?

The Moon passes between the Earth and Sun The Earth passes between the Sun and Moon The Sun passes between the Earth and Moon The Moon enters the shadow of Venus

11

What is a solar eclipse?

When the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth When the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon When the Sun dims temporarily When a planet passes in front of the Sun

12

What is the main advantage of a larger telescope aperture?

Higher magnification More light-gathering power and resolution Lighter weight Wider field of view

13

What is a light-year?

The time it takes light to travel from the Sun to Earth The distance light travels in one year The brightness of a star as seen from one year away The lifespan of a star measured in years

14

What is the Bortle scale used to measure?

Telescope aperture classes Earthquake intensity Star brightness Night sky darkness and light pollution levels

15

What type of deep-sky object is the Orion Nebula (M42)?

A galaxy An emission/diffuse nebula A planetary nebula A globular cluster

16

Which mount type is simplest to use, moving up-down and left-right?

Equatorial mount Alt-azimuth mount Dobsonian mount German equatorial mount

17

What is the Messier catalog?

A catalog of all known galaxies A list of the 100 brightest stars A list of 110 bright deep-sky objects compiled by Charles Messier A catalog of comets

18

Which planet is closest to the Sun?

Mars Earth Venus Mercury

19

What is the astronomical unit (AU)?

The distance from Earth to the nearest star The average distance from Earth to the Sun The diameter of Earth's orbit The distance light travels in one second

20

How long does the Moon take to complete one cycle of phases (new Moon to new Moon)?

About 24 days About 27 days About 29.5 days About 31 days