Mid-Year Reduced List Astronomy PDF

Astronomy: ​ Formation of the Universe = Big Bang ○​ What is the currently accepted theory? ○​ What is the currently accepted age of the Universe? ○​ What are the 3 pieces of evidence that supports the currently accepted theory of formation? ​ Stellar Evolution:...

Astronomy: ​ Formation of the Universe = Big Bang ○​ What is the currently accepted theory? ○​ What is the currently accepted age of the Universe? ○​ What are the 3 pieces of evidence that supports the currently accepted theory of formation? ​ Stellar Evolution: ○​ What determines the pathway a star will take in its stellar evolution? ○​ What is the initial force that pulls together the gas and dust within a stellar nebula to form a protostar? This same force holds the matter together throughout the star’s stellar evolution. ○​ What process, in the core of the star, needs to occur for a protostar to turn into a star and for it to emit its own energy? ○​ What stage do all stars spend most of their life in? ○​ Will our Sun ever go through a supernova? ○​ What types of stars go through supernovae? ○​ Use page 15 of the ESRT (Characteristics of Stars Chart) to compare and contrast different stars and groups of stars. ​ This page also shows a portion of stellar evolution by looking at where it says “Early Stage,” “Intermediate Stage,” and “Late Stage.” ​ Terrestrial vs. Jovian Planets ○​ Which planets are which? ○​ Use page 15 of the ESRT (Solar System Data Chart) to compare and contrast each type ​ Kepler’s Laws: ○​ Kepler’s First Law: ​ What is the shape of all of the planet’s orbits? ​ What is located at one of the foci of each of the planet’s orbits? ○​ Kepler’s Second Law: ​ Know the difference between the terms perihelion and aphelion. ​ Where is there more orbital velocity? Less? ​ Where is there more gravitational attraction? Less? ​ Phases of the Moon: ○​ What is the number of days for the cycle of phases? ​ If given a phase of a Moon on a particular date, then be able to figure out the next date of the same phase ○​ Be able to draw, as well as identify, different phases based on the different positions of the Moon around the Earth ○​ Why does the same side of the Moon always face the Earth? ​ Know what numbers to use from page 15 of the ESRT to help support this ​ Lunar vs. Solar Eclipses: ○​ What alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun creates a lunar eclipse? ○​ What alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun creates a solar eclipse? ○​ What phase of the Moon occurs during each type of eclipse? ​ Why do eclipses not occur each time these phases occur? ​ Spring vs. Neap Tides: ○​ What alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun causes a Spring Tide? ​ What phases of the Moon occur during this alignment? ○​ What alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun causes a Neap Tide? ​ What phases of the Moon occur during this alignment? ​ Earth’s Motions - Rotation & Revolution: ○​ Rotation:  ​ What instrument provides evidence of the Earth’s rotation? ​ The deflection of winds and ocean currents is caused by the _____________ Effect. ​ What way do winds and ocean currents deflect in the Northern Hemisphere? ​ What way do winds and ocean currents deflect in the Southern Hemisphere? ​ What is the rate of movement of the Earth in degrees per hour? ​ Know that stars around Polaris, the Sun, and the Moon all move at this same rate ○​ Revolution: ​ As the Earth revolves around the Sun, the tilt STAYS THE SAME and is always pointed towards which star? ​ Answer the following about the Northern Hemisphere’s Seasons: (most direct = 90o) ​ What season begins when the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun? ○​ What line of latitude are the Sun’s rays most direct on? ​ What season begins when the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun? ○​ What line of latitude are the Sun’s rays most direct on? ​ Which season(s) begin when the North Pole is neither tilted towards or away from the Sun? ○​ What line of latitude are the Sun’s rays most direct on? ​ How is seeing different constellations throughout the year proof of revolution? ​ Path of the Sun: ○​ A higher altitude of the Sun = greater or lower intensity? ○​ The Sun is highest in the sky, has the greatest intensity, and longest duration at the start of which season? What is the date? ○​ The Sun is lowest in the sky, has the least intensity, and shortest duration at the start of which season? What is the date? ○​ The Sun generally rises from the East and sets in the West, since the Earth rotates in what direction? (clockwise or counterclockwise) ○​ Specific sunrise/sunset for each season. Choose out of each of the following for the next three questions: Due East & West​ ​ North of East & North of West​ South of East & South of West ​ Where is sunrise/sunset for the Summer Solstice? ​ Where is sunrise/sunset for the Winter Solstice? ​ Where is sunrise/sunset for the Equinox? ○​ Altitude of the Sun & Shadows: ​ Does a higher or lower altitude of the Sun create a longer shadow? ○​ Direction of a Shadow: ​ At solar noon, for the Northern Hemisphere, what sky is the Sun in? This means the shadow for an object will be pointed towards the __________. ​ No matter what, the shadow of an object is always pointed ____________ the direct that the Sun’s light is coming from. Measuring the Earth: ​ What is the difference between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere? ○​ Use page 1, 10, & 14 when needed ○​ How much of the hydrosphere covers the Earth’s surface? ○​ How much of the lithosphere is exposed at the Earth’s surface? ​ Time Zones: ○​ What is the rate of the Earth’s rotation? ○​ What is the width, in longitude, of each time zone? ○​ Complete the following:  ​ East ___________ ​ West is _________ ​ Polaris: ○​ What Earth motion causes all the stars to appear to move around Polaris? ○​ Be able to calculate the length of time (# of hours) for a star trail to be produced using the Earth’s rotational rate. ○​ Relative to the Earth’s North Pole, where is Polaris located? ○​ What is the relationship between the altitude of Polaris and the latitude of the observer? Energy: ​ Conduction: ○​ What is it best in? ○​ How does heat travel in this method? ​ Convection: ○​ What is it best in? ○​ How does heat travel in this method? ​ Radiation: ○​ What can this type of heat transfer travel through? ○​ What color and texture absorbs radiation best? Reflects it best? ○​ Use page 14 of the ESRT to compare different types of radiation by energy, wavelength, and frequency ​ Phase Changes: ○​ Which phase change is each of the following: ​ Gas → Liquid = ​ Solid → Liquid = ​ Liquid → Gas = ​ Liquid → Solid = ○​ Use page 1 of the ESRT (Properties of Water Box) to identify the following: ​ Which phase changes absorb energy? ​ Which phase changes release energy? ​ How much energy does each phase change absorb or release? Climate: ​ Climate Factors: ○​ Latitude: ​ As you increase latitude, what is the effect on the temperature? ○​ Elevation: ​ How does a higher elevation affect the overall average yearly temperature of a location? ​ Page 14 of the ESRT can also help to support this climate factor. ○​ Latitude & Elevation both have a similar impact on climate - An increase in both cause the temperature to decrease. ○​ Mountain Barriers & Prevailing Winds: ​ In terms of temperature and humidity, what is the difference between the windward and leeward sides of the mountain? ​ Which side does RACECAR occur on? ​ Which side does SAW-C occur on? ​ Volcanic Eruptions: ○​ Do they increase or decrease atmospheric transparency? ○​ Do they warm or cool the climate?  ​ Greenhouse Effect & Global Warming: ○​ What are the three major greenhouse gases? ○​ What temperature zone of the atmosphere are these greenhouse gases located in? ○​ During the day, what form of radiation is received by the surface of the Earth? ○​ During the night, what form of radiation is given off by the surface of the Earth? ○​ What wavelength of radiation do the greenhouse gases absorb and reradiate? ​ El Niño & La Niña: ○​ What direction do the winds go for each? ○​ How does the sea surface temperatures (SST) change for each? ○​ Where is there a greater amount of precipitation for each? ​ Ozone Depletion: ○​ What is the name of the gas that blocks incoming ultraviolet radiation from reaching the surface? ○​ Which temperature zone is this the greatest concentration of this gas contained in? ​ Monsoons: ○​ Summer Monsoon = Wet/Rainy Season ​ RACECAR or SAW-C? ​ High or Low Pressure on Land? ○​ Winter Monsoon = Dry Season ​ RACECAR or SAW-C? ​ High or Low Pressure on Land? Meteorology: ​ Station Models: ○​ Use page 13 of the ESRT to properly code and decode station models. ​ Isolines: ○​ Be able to draw Isotherms & Isobars ​ Isobars: ​ Always drawn at a 4-mb interval ○​ Calculate gradient on a map ​ High vs. Low Pressure: ○​ Choose out of the following terms for the next two questions: ​ ​ ​ Divergent​ ​ ​ Counterclockwise​ ​ ​ Outward ​ ​ ​ Clockwise​ ​ ​ Upward/Rising​​ ​ ​ Convergent ​ ​ ​ Inward​​ ​ ​ Sinking​ ​ ​ ​ More Clouds ​ ​ ​ Clear/Dry​ ​ ​ Lousy​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cool ○​ Which of the terms above are associated with a High-Pressure System? ○​ Which of the terms above are associated with a Low-Pressure System? ​ Moisture/Humidity: ○​ Use page 12 in various ways to find dewpoint, relative humidity, wet-bulb temperature, and/or wet-bulb depression ​ Refer to the recent Weather Variables Test Review Google Doc to see the different ways the charts can be used ○​ Is there a greater relative humidity / chance of precipitation if ​ The air temperature and dewpoint are close or far? ​ The air pressure is high or low? ​ There is more or less cloud cover in an area? ​ Winds: ○​ When isobars are closer together, is it a higher or a lower gradient? ​ During this situation, is the wind speed greater or lower?