Astronomy Basics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What observation can be made about a ship that demonstrates the curvature of the Earth?

  • The ship will grow larger as it moves away from the observer.
  • The ship will appear to maintain the same size regardless of distance.
  • The ship becomes smaller progressively until it eventually vanishes. (correct)
  • The ship's hull disappears first, followed by the sail. (correct)

What reasoning did Aristotle use from lunar eclipses to assert the Earth's shape?

  • He pointed out that the Earth's shadow on the moon is circular during an eclipse. (correct)
  • He deduced that if the moon is round, the Earth must also be round.
  • He claimed that all celestial bodies revolve around the Earth except the Earth itself.
  • He argued that only a spherical object can cast a circular shadow during an eclipse. (correct)

During which event did Eratosthenes observe the shadow of a pillar in Alexandria?

  • At noon on the summer solstice. (correct)
  • At noon on the winter solstice.
  • At noon during the spring equinox.
  • At noon during a solar eclipse.

Which statement about the ancient uses of astronomical knowledge is inaccurate?

<p>They used this knowledge primarily to understand the origin of the universe. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phase of the moon is represented in the described diagram?

<p>The moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which observation about a ship indicates the Earth's curvature as it moves away from an observer?

<p>Its hull disappears first before the rest. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion did Aristotle draw from lunar eclipses that supports a spherical Earth model?

<p>A round shadow on the moon indicates a round Earth. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which season did Eratosthenes observe a shadow cast by a pillar in Alexandria?

<p>Summer solstice (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding ancient astronomical knowledge is incorrect?

<p>They primarily focused on the anatomy of terrestrial animals. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun during the new moon phase?

<p>The moon lies directly between the Earth and the sun. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Evidence against a flat Earth, ship disappearing

As a ship sails away, it appears to get smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing from view. This observation suggests that the Earth is curved, not flat.

Lunar eclipse and round Earth

During a lunar eclipse, Earth casts a round shadow on the moon. This proves that Earth is a sphere.

Eratosthenes' shadow observation time

Eratosthenes observed the shadow cast by a pillar in Alexandria during the summer solstice.

Ancient astronomical uses

Ancient civilizations used knowledge of the heavens to navigate, construct buildings, and develop calendars.

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Moon phase, Earth-Sun-Moon alignment

The phase of the moon depends on its position relative to the Earth and the Sun. The figure shows a position where the moon is between the Sun and the Earth, representing a new moon.

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Ship Disappearing

The observation of a ship sailing away and gradually disappearing hull first suggests that the Earth is curved, not flat. This is because a flat surface would allow the entire ship to remain visible even at a great distance.

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Lunar Eclipse: Earth's Shadow

During a lunar eclipse, Earth casts a round shadow on the moon. This observation supports the idea that Earth is a sphere, as a flat Earth would cast a different, elongated shadow.

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Eratosthenes' Observation

Eratosthenes observed the shadow cast by a pillar in Alexandria during the summer solstice, when the sun is directly overhead. The angle of the shadow allowed him to calculate the Earth's circumference, proving its spherical shape.

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Ancient Uses of Astronomy

Ancient civilizations utilized knowledge about the stars and celestial movements for navigation (guiding voyages), architecture (aligning structures), and creating calendars (tracking seasons and time).

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New Moon Phase

The new moon phase occurs when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, with its unlit side facing us. We cannot see the moon during this phase.

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Study Notes

Multiple Choice Questions

  • Question 1: Observing a ship sailing away reveals the Earth is not flat. A ship appears to get smaller and eventually disappears.
  • Question 2: Aristotle used lunar eclipses to prove the Earth is round. The Earth's shadow on the moon during an eclipse is round.
  • Question 3: Eratosthenes observed a pillar cast a shadow at noon during the summer solstice.
  • Question 4: Ancient people used their knowledge of the heavens to navigate, design architecture, and create calendars. Their understanding did not focus on the origins of the universe.
  • Question 5: The image shows a new moon phase.

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