AST 101 Rio Salado Mid-Term: Multiple Choice & Essay Questions and Answers Already Passed
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AST 101 Rio Salado Mid-Term:
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AST 101 Rio Salado Mid-Term:
AST 101 Rio Salado Mid-Term: Multiple
Choice & Essay Questions and Answers
Already Passed
What is the main difference between a planet and a star?
A planet orbits a star and does not produce its own light, while a star generates its own light
and energy through nuclear fusion.
What cau...
AST 101 Rio Salado Mid-Term: Multiple
Choice & Essay Questions and Answers
Already Passed
What is the main difference between a planet and a star?
✔✔ A planet orbits a star and does not produce its own light, while a star generates its own light
and energy through nuclear fusion.
What causes the phases of the Moon?
✔✔ The phases of the Moon are caused by the changing angles from which we view the Moon’s
illuminated half as it orbits Earth.
What is the significance of the Hubble Space Telescope?
✔✔ The Hubble Space Telescope has provided detailed images and data about distant galaxies,
nebulae, and other celestial objects, significantly advancing our understanding of the universe.
How does gravity affect the motion of celestial bodies in our solar system?
✔✔ Gravity causes celestial bodies to orbit one another, with planets orbiting stars and moons
orbiting planets due to the gravitational pull of these larger bodies.
1
,What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?
✔✔ A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun’s
light, while a lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a
shadow on the Moon.
What is the definition of a light-year?
✔✔ A light-year is the distance that light travels in one year, approximately 5.88 trillion miles or
9.46 trillion kilometers.
How does the Doppler effect apply to astronomy?
✔✔ The Doppler effect in astronomy refers to the change in the wavelength of light from
celestial objects due to their motion relative to us, which can indicate if they are moving towards
or away from Earth.
What is a nebula, and how does it relate to star formation?
✔✔ A nebula is a vast cloud of gas and dust in space where new stars are often formed through
the process of gravitational collapse.
2
,What are the main differences between a comet and an asteroid?
✔✔ Comets are icy bodies that release gas and dust, forming a glowing coma and tail when close
to the Sun, while asteroids are rocky or metallic objects that do not exhibit a coma or tail.
What determines the spectral class of a star?
✔✔ The spectral class of a star is determined by its temperature and the absorption lines present
in its spectrum, which indicate its composition and other properties.
What is the concept of cosmic inflation?
✔✔ Cosmic inflation is the theory that the universe underwent an exponential expansion in its
earliest moments, leading to its current size and structure.
How do astronomers use parallax to measure the distance to nearby stars?
✔✔ Astronomers measure the apparent shift in a star’s position against distant background
objects as Earth orbits the Sun to calculate the star's distance using trigonometry.
What is the main characteristic that distinguishes a red giant star from a main sequence star?
✔✔ A red giant star is characterized by its large size and cool temperature compared to main
sequence stars, which are in the stable phase of hydrogen fusion.
3
, What is the significance of the Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram in stellar astronomy?
✔✔ The H-R diagram plots stars according to their luminosity and temperature, helping to
understand stellar evolution and classify different types of stars.
How do pulsars emit regular pulses of radiation?
✔✔ Pulsars emit regular pulses of radiation due to the rapid rotation of neutron stars with strong
magnetic fields, which beam radiation along their magnetic poles.
What causes the seasons on Earth?
✔✔ The seasons on Earth are caused by the tilt of Earth's rotational axis relative to its orbit
around the Sun, resulting in varying angles of sunlight throughout the year.
What is a black hole, and how is it formed?
✔✔ A black hole is a region of space with gravitational pull so strong that not even light can
escape, typically formed from the remnants of a massive star after it collapses under its own
gravity.
What is the significance of the cosmic microwave background radiation?
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