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What seasons corresponds to which equinox or solstice?
Seasons corresponding to equinoxes and solstices:
Spring (Vernal) Equinox: Around March 20-21 → Start of spring
Summer Solstice: Around June 20-21 → Start of summer (longest day)
Autumn (Fall) Equinox: Around September 22-23 → Start of fall
Winter Solstice: Around December 21-22 → Start of winter (shortest day)
Why does the Sun move from one constellation to another?
The Sun moves from one constellation to another due to Earth's orbit around the Sun, changing our perspective of the background stars.
What causes seasons?
Seasons are caused by Earth's axial tilt (23.5°), which changes the intensity and duration of sunlight at different times of the year.
When is the Sun at its highest altitude during the year?
The Sun is at its highest altitude during the Summer Solstice (June 20-21 in the Northern Hemisphere).
When is the Sun at its lowest altitude during the year?
The Sun is at its lowest altitude during the Winter Solstice (December 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere).
Do the seasons depend on the distance from the Sun?
No, seasons do not depend on Earth's distance from the Sun but on Earth's axial tilt.
In which direction does the Sun rise during summer solstice? Where does it set?
During the Summer Solstice, the Sun rises in the northeast and sets in the northwest.
In which direction does the Sun rise during winter solstice? Where does it set?
During the Winter Solstice, the Sun rises in the southeast and sets in the southwest.
In which direction does the Sun rise during equinoxes solstice? Where does it set?
During Equinoxes, the Sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west.
What is measured with the right ascension and declination? How are these different from altitude and azimuth?
Right ascension and declination measure the positions of celestial objects in the sky.
Right ascension & declination are fixed coordinates like longitude & latitude for stars.
Altitude & azimuth are observer-dependent, based on local horizon and time.
Right ascension is measured with respect to the ……?
Right ascension is measured with respect to the Vernal Equinox (0h RA).
Declination is measured with respect to ………?
Declination is measured with respect to the Celestial Equator (0° Dec).
What is the size of the Moon in degrees when you look at it from the Earth?
The Moon appears about 0.5° in diameter from Earth.
What is the size of the Sun is degrees when you look at it from the Earth?
The Sun also appears about 0.5° in diameter from Earth.
How many days does it take for the Moon to come back to the same phase?
It takes about 29.5 days for the Moon to return to the same phase (synodic month).
How long does it take for the Moon to complete one circle around the Earth?
It takes about 27.3 days for the Moon to orbit Earth (sidereal month).
Practice different phases of the Moon and what are they called.
Phases of the Moon: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, Waning Crescent.
What time does the Moon rise? What time does it set?
Moonrise and Moonset times vary depending on its phase.
What time the first quarter rise and set?
First Quarter Moon rises at noon and sets at midnight.
What time the third quarter rise and set?
Third Quarter Moon rises at midnight and sets at noon.
What is the meaning of synchronous motion of the Moon?
Synchronous motion of the Moon means it rotates on its axis in the same time it takes to orbit Earth, always showing the same face.
What is a tidal locking?
Tidal locking is when a celestial body's rotation period matches its orbital period, causing one side to always face the object it orbits (e.g., Moon to Earth).
What are tides?
Tides are the periodic rise and fall of ocean water levels caused by gravitational interactions between the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
Tides are caused by what?
Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and, to a lesser extent, the Sun
What are neap tides? What are Spring tides?
Neap tides: Weaker tides that occur during the first and third quarter moons.
Spring tides: Stronger tides that occur during new and full moons.
How many high tides do you see in a day?
There are two high tides in a day.
How many spring tides do you see in a month?
There are two spring tides in a month.
How many neap tides do you see in a month?
There are two neap tides in a month.
What is the phase of the Moon when it is a spring tide?
Spring tides occur during the new moon and full moon phases.
What is the phase of the Moon when it is a neap tide?
Neap tides occur during the first and third quarter moon phases.
What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon blocks the Sun from Earth's view.
A lunar eclipse happens when Earth casts a shadow on the Moon.
What is the difference between an annular eclipse and a total solar eclipse? What is the reason that we see these 2 different solar eclipses?
Annular eclipse: The Moon is farther from Earth, appearing smaller, so it doesn’t completely cover the Sun, leaving a "ring of fire."
Total solar eclipse: The Moon completely covers the Sun.
Reason: The Moon’s elliptical orbit changes its apparent size.
Why do we not see the eclipses every month?
Eclipses do not occur every month because the Moon's orbit is tilted about 5° relative to Earth's orbit around the Sun.
What is a geocentric model?
The geocentric model is the ancient idea that Earth is the center of the universe and everything orbits it.
What is apparent retrograde motion?
Apparent retrograde motion is when a planet appears to move backward in the sky due to Earth's relative motion.
Which direction do the planets usually move? East to West or West to East?
Planets usually move from west to east (prograde motion).
How Ptolemaic explained the retrograde motion?
Ptolemy explained retrograde motion using epicycles—small circular orbits within larger circular orbits.
What was new proposed by Copernicus?
Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model, where the Sun is at the center, and planets orbit it.
Tycho Brahe’s observations helped who?
Tycho Brahe’s observations helped Johannes Kepler refine planetary motion laws.
Kepler’s three laws of motion – state them.
Kepler’s Three Laws of Motion:
Formula used in Kepler’s third law of motion. What are the units for distance and p and a in that formula?
Elliptical orbits: Planets orbit the Sun in ellipses, with the Sun at one focus.
What is the best place to look for planets? Ecliptic or celestial equator or poles?
Equal areas: A planet sweeps equal areas in equal times (moves faster when closer to the Sun).
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