1. Which of the following statements is false?

a. The Egyptian civilization was relatively peaceful, and their astronomy changed little for millenia.
b. Astronomy in Mesopotamia was driven by the need to predict the next calamity.
c. The Greeks had more independence, and they searched for rational explanations to the world around them.
d. Pythagoreans thought the arche was number.
e. None of the above are false.

2. What causes the seasons on Earth?

a. The Earth's equator is tilted to the ecliptic, causing the Sun to appear to move north and south during the year.
b. The Earth's orbit is elliptical, changing the distance to the Sun over the year.
c. The Sun's luminosity varies with a 1-year period.
d. Apollo gets tired in the winter and doesn't carry the Sun as high into the sky.
e. None of the above.

3. Why is it hotter in Ithaca in the summer?

a. Because the Sun is north of the celestial equator.
b. Because the Sun's light is falling more directly on the ground (i.e. is closer to perpendicular).
c. Because the Sun is above the horizon for more hours each day.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.

4. How does the altitude of the celestial poles (α) depend on the latitude of the observer (λ)?

a. α = 90° - λ.
b. α = λ.
c. α = 180° - λ.
d. α does not depend on latitude; it depends on longitude.
e. α does not depend on latitude or longitude because the Earth is flat.

5. How does the altitude of the celestial equator over the southern horizon (θ) depend on the latitude of the observer (λ)?

a. θ = 90° - λ.
b. θ = λ.
c. θ = 180° - λ.
d. θ does not depend on latitude; it depends on longitude.
e. I admit that I'm not going to get this question right!

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Last modified 17 February, 2007. © Gregory C. Sloan.