The Night Sky |
The Night Sky Quiz |
In the questions below, we assume that you are observing from the Northern Hemisphere. It would still be correct for Southern Hemisphere observers, but the references to "north" and "south" directions would have to be reversed. (Don't worry, your answers won't be reported to anyone! This is just for your benefit.)
| Imagine that you identify the constellation Orion high in the southern sky at about 9 p.m. What time of year would it most likely be? (Hint: use your planetarium software to check.) | ||
| If you see a constellation just rising in the east about 8 p.m., where would you look for that same constellation at 2 a.m. the following morning? | ||
| 1:
In the western sky.
2: High in the East. 3: It would be in the northeast sky. 4: It would be in the southeast sky. ANSWER: Click here for the correct answer. |
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| Let's say that you go to bed every night at 11 p.m., and before bed you gaze out your southward-facing window. In late June you observe the constellation Scorpius, which is directly opposite Orion in the sky. What time of year would you expect to see Orion before bedtime? | ||
| 1:
Mid-March
2: Mid-September. 3: Late July. 4: Late December. ANSWER: Click here for the correct answer. |
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| One night you are using a star chart to identify a constellation near the ecliptic. However, it is confusing as there seems to be an extra, uncharted, star. What is likely the solution? | ||
| 1:
Most likely it is a UFO
2: It probably is a planet. 3: It is a meteor or "shooting star.". 4: It would be a comet. ANSWER: Click here for the correct answer. |
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