Science General · Geography

Astronomy and Celestial Phenomena

1,839 Questions

This section provides practice questions on astronomy and celestial phenomena, focusing on eclipses, planetary movements, and tides. These concepts are commonly tested in general science sections of various competitive exams. Use this hub to practice questions related to the Earth, Moon, and solar system dynamics.

Solar and lunar eclipsesEquinoxes and solsticesPlanetary movementsOcean tidesCoriolis effectMeteor showers

Astronomy and Celestial Phenomena Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. The longitudinal extent influences the duration of day and night, as one moves from South to North. b. The difference between the durations of day and night is hardly felt at Kanyakumari. c. The Suez Canal opened in 1869 and reduced the distance from India to Europe by 7000 kms.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. a and b

  5. b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as both statements are correct.

Multiple choice

Seasons are caused on earth surface because of

  1. elliptical orbit of the earth

  2. rotation of earth

  3. inclination of the earth axis

  4. none of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Earth's seasons are caused by the 23.5-degree tilt of Earth's axis relative to its orbital plane. As Earth orbits the Sun, this fixed tilt means different parts of Earth receive varying amounts of direct sunlight throughout the year. When the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, it's summer there; when it tilts away, it's winter. The elliptical orbit (option A) has minimal effect on seasons.

Multiple choice

Sun spots are

  1. mountains found on the surface of the sun

  2. dark patches having less temperature than that of the normal surface

  3. magnetic storms on the surface of the sun

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sunspots are temporary dark areas on the Sun's photosphere (visible surface) that appear darker because they are cooler than surrounding areas. They are caused by concentrated magnetic field lines that inhibit convection, reducing surface temperature. They are not physical mountains or features on the Sun's surface, but rather magnetic phenomena in the Sun's atmosphere.

Multiple choice

The earth revolves around the sun and this causes

  1. difference in longitude and time

  2. change of seasons

  3. days and nights

  4. deflection of winds and currents

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Earth's revolution around the sun, combined with its 23.5° axial tilt, causes seasonal changes throughout the year. Different parts of Earth receive varying amounts of sunlight intensity as it orbits, creating the four seasons. Days and nights are caused by Earth's rotation on its axis, not its revolution around the sun.

Multiple choice

Spring tides are caused

  1. when the moon and sun make a right angle with the earth

  2. during spring season

  3. when the sun and the moon are in straight line with the earth

  4. when the water falls from a high mountain to flow in large bends
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Spring tides occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align in a straight line (syzygy) - either at new moon (Sun-Moon-Earth) or full moon (Earth-Sun-Moon). This alignment creates combined gravitational forces that produce the highest high tides and lowest low tides. Right angles produce neap tides, and it has nothing to do with the spring season.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank (ii) with the best option from those given.

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank with the best option from those given.

_____(i)_____  of the moon _____(ii)______ only when the moon is full, for then it is at the opposite side of the earth from the sun. When the moon comes directly behind the earth, as seen from the sun, it passes ______(iii)______ into the great shadow-cone cast by the earth and disappears from view. A total eclipse of the moon then occurs. A partial eclipse ____(iv)______ when the moon enters only partly into the ____(v)______.

  1. enters

  2. occurs

  3. seen

  4. views
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Occurs means 'to happen; to take place'.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank (v) with the best option from those given.

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank with the best option from those given.

_____(i)_____  of the moon _____(ii)______ only when the moon is full, for then it is at the opposite side of the earth from the sun. When the moon comes directly behind the earth, as seen from the sun, it passes ______(iii)______ into the great shadow-cone cast by the earth and disappears from view. A total eclipse of the moon then occurs. A partial eclipse ____(iv)______ when the moon enters only partly into the ____(v)______.

  1. sun

  2. earth

  3. dark

  4. shadow
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Moon entering sun or earth doesn't make sense. Here, the context is of eclipse, so shadow (of earth) will be used.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank (iii) with the best option from those given.

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank with the best option from those given.

_____(i)_____  of the moon _____(ii)______ only when the moon is full, for then it is at the opposite side of the earth from the sun. When the moon comes directly behind the earth, as seen from the sun, it passes ______(iii)______ into the great shadow-cone cast by the earth and disappears from view. A total eclipse of the moon then occurs. A partial eclipse ____(iv)______ when the moon enters only partly into the ____(v)______.

  1. surprisingly

  2. hurriedly

  3. gradually

  4. casually
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Gradual means taking place, changing, moving, etc., by small degrees or little by little. Surprisingly can not be used as this phenomenon is predetermined and not unusual.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank (i) with the best option from those given.

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank with the best option from those given.

_____(i)_____  of the moon _____(ii)______ only when the moon is full, for then it is at the opposite side of the earth from the sun. When the moon comes directly behind the earth, as seen from the sun, it passes ______(iii)______ into the great shadow-cone cast by the earth and disappears from view. A total eclipse of the moon then occurs. A partial eclipse ____(iv)______ when the moon enters only partly into the ____(v)______.

  1. A shadow

  2. An eclipse

  3. A setting

  4. A rising
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The obscuration of the light of the moon by the intervention of the earth between it and the sun (It is called lunar eclipse).

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank (iv) with the best option from those given.

Directions: Fill in the numbered blank with the best option from those given.

_____(i)_____  of the moon _____(ii)______ only when the moon is full, for then it is at the opposite side of the earth from the sun. When the moon comes directly behind the earth, as seen from the sun, it passes ______(iii)______ into the great shadow-cone cast by the earth and disappears from view. A total eclipse of the moon then occurs. A partial eclipse ____(iv)______ when the moon enters only partly into the ____(v)______.

  1. takes place

  2. shows off

  3. falls on

  4. teams up
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Eclipse is a happening which takes place. Show off means to display or behave in an ostentatious or conspicuous way. Fall on means to experience or come upon. Team up means to work together.  

Multiple choice

The minimum distance between the Sun and Earth occurs on

  1. 3rd January

  2. 22nd December

  3. 21st June

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Perihelion (closest distance to Sun) occurs around January 3rd each year, when Earth is about 147 million km from the Sun. December 22nd (B) is the winter solstice (shortest day in Northern Hemisphere) but not the closest distance. June 21st (C) is the summer solstice and aphelion (farthest point).

Multiple choice

Which of the following is/are responsible for tides on Earth?

  1. Sun and Moon

  2. Sun only

  3. Moon only

  4. Gravitation on Earth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Tides are primarily caused by the Moon's gravitational pull, with the Sun's gravity also contributing (about 46% of Moon's effect). The combined gravitational forces of both Sun and Moon create spring tides (stronger) and neap tides (weaker). Gravitation on Earth (D) itself doesn't cause tides - it's the differential gravitational pull from celestial bodies.