AY 101-002                                                       Spring 2008
                                   QUIZ #1

Answer each of the following on a computer-gradeable answer sheet. Be
sure to fill in your name and CWID number (and blacken their circles as 
well). Write your seat number on a corner of the answer sheet.

1. We experience seasons because 
   a) our distance from the Sun changes.
   B) OF THE ANGLE BETWEEN THE EARTH'S ORBIT AND ITS EQUATOR.
   c) the Moon influences the sunlight we receive at various times of year.
   d) the transparency of our atmosphere changes with our orbital location.

2. The Moon's phases happen because of
   a) the Earth's shadow falling on different parts of the Moon.
   B) THE MOON'S ORBIT LETTING US SEE IT AT DIFFERENT ANGLES TO SUNLIGHT.
   c) the synchronized orbital motion and rotation of the Moon.
   d) the differences in the surface of the Moon's two hemispheres.

3. Scientists have learned that "Occam's Razor" is often a good guide
   as to which ideas they should investigate first. This principle says
   a) Facts should be "shaved away" in search of the underlying pattern.
   b) New facts demand new explanations.
   c) The simplest possible explanation must be right.
   D) THE SIMPLEST EXPLANATION WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR THE DATA IS USUALLY RIGHT.

4. Which of these is not simply a reflection of the Earth's motion?
   A) MONTHLY MOVEMENT OF THE MOON AROUND OUR SKY.
   b) Sunrise and sunset.
   c) Changes in which stars we can see at midnight throughout the year.
   d) The changing seasons.

5. One of the first clues to the shape of the Earth came from
   A) ITS SHADOW DURING LUNAR ECLIPSES.
   b) Newton's discovery that gravity acts in all directions.
   c) careful surveying of distances between known points.
   d) the fact that stars rise and set like the Sun.

6. We would see more frequent solar eclipses if
   a) the Earth and Moon were closer to the Sun.
   B) THE MOON'S ORBIT WERE EXACTLY ALIGNED WITH THE EARTH'S ORBIT.
   c) the Moon's orbit took longer than a month.
   d) the Moon's orbit took it over the Earth's poles.

7. When they happen as close together as possible, a solar eclipse and a
   lunar eclipse are separated by about
   a) twelve hours.                        c) one month.
   B) TWO WEEKS.                           d) six months.

8. While we see a lunar eclipse, an observer standing on the Moon would see
   a) nothing unusual.                     c) a full Earth.
   B) A SOLAR ECLIPSE.                     d) nightfall.

9. It is most convenient to measure the distances between stars using
   a) feet.                                c) kilometers.
   b) miles.                               D) LIGHT-YEARS.

10. Early skywatchers distinguished Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn 
   a) because of their great brightness.
   b) because of their large visual size.
   c) because, unlike stars, we do not see them year-round.
   D) BECAUSE OF THEIR UNUSUAL (AND ERRATIC) MOVEMENTS.