Science General · Geography

Astronomy and Celestial Phenomena

1,884 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 false regarding the only natural satellite of Earth?

(a) It is our nearest neighbour in the Universe. (b) There are craters and mountains on the moon. (c) There is atmosphere on the moon like Earth. (d) Moon appears similar every day.

  1. Only a and b

  2. Only b

  3. Only a and c

  4. Only c and d

  5. Only b and d
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is the correct answer. Both the statements are false. There is no atmosphere on the moon. The moon does not appear similar every day.

Multiple choice

Why are the stars not visible during day time?

  1. They go deep inside

  2. The sunlight is so bright during the day that we are unable to see the stars

  3. The colour of stars fades away

  4. They travel to the place where it is night

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

Yes, it is the correct answer. The stars are not visible during the day because the sunlight is too bright during the day that we are unable to see the stars. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are true?

a) The waxing phase of the moon is followed by the waning phase. b) The waning phase of the moon is followed by the waxing phase. c) The waxing phase of the moon and the waning phase of the moon go simultaneous to each other. d) During waning phase, the full moon reduces in size. e) During waxing phase, the size of moon increases.

  1. Only a and d

  2. Only b and e

  3. Only c

  4. Only a and e

  5. Only b and d
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, both the sentences are true. Hence, it is the correct answer. The waxing phase of the moon is followed by the waning phase. 

Multiple choice

The light from the sun reaches us in approximately

  1. 6 minutes

  2. 15 minutes

  3. 8 minutes

  4. 3 minutes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Sunlight takes approximately 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach Earth, traveling at 299,792 km/s across about 150 million km. This is a fundamental fact about Earth's position in the solar system.

Multiple choice

Evening sun is not as hot as the mid day sun. What is the reason?

  1. In the evening radiations travel slowly

  2. In the evening the temperature of the sun decreases

  3. Ozone in atmosphere absorbs more light in the evening

  4. In the evening radiations travel larger distance through atmosphere
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Evening sun rays travel through a much thicker layer of Earth's atmosphere due to the oblique angle, causing greater scattering and absorption of heat. At midday, the sun is overhead, so rays travel the shortest distance through the atmosphere with minimal scattering. The sun's temperature doesn't actually decrease.

Multiple choice

The moon takes its light from

  1. the earth

  2. the sun

  3. the stars

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

The Moon is not a luminous body - it only reflects sunlight. About 12% of sunlight hitting the Moon is reflected back to Earth, which is why we see moonlight. The Moon's visibility varies with its phases as the angle of illumination changes.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is/are true regarding a lunar eclipse?

(a) It occurs when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth. (b) It occurs near a full Moon. (c) It occurs when Earth is in between Moon and Sun. (d) It last only for few minutes.

  1. Both a and d

  2. Both b and c

  3. Both a and c

  4. Both b and d

  5. Both c and d
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is correct as both are true. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and Moon and it occurs near a full Moon.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (ii).

Directions: Choose the most appropriate word/verb phrase from the options given below to complete the given paragraph.

The earth (i) _________ round the sun and the moon goes round the earth. There (ii) _________ several other bodies which like the earth go round the sun. The moon is called a satellite of the earth (iii) _________ it hangs on to it. The other planets have also got their satellites. The sun and the planets with their satellites form a happy family. This is called (iv) _________ solar system. Solar means belonging to the sun and the sun being the father of all the planets, (v) _________ whole group (vi) _________ the solar system.

  1. had been

  2. were

  3. are

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

The sentence discusses general facts about the solar system. 'There are several other bodies' uses present simple to state a fact that is always true. 'Were' is past, 'have been' is present perfect, and 'had been' is past perfect - none fit the context of describing a permanent astronomical fact.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (i).

Directions: Choose the most appropriate word/verb phrase from the options given below to complete the given paragraph.

The earth (i) _________ round the sun and the moon goes round the earth. There (ii) _________ several other bodies which like the earth go round the sun. The moon is called a satellite of the earth (iii) _________ it hangs on to it. The other planets have also got their satellites. The sun and the planets with their satellites form a happy family. This is called (iv) _________ solar system. Solar means belonging to the sun and the sun being the father of all the planets, (v) _________ whole group (vi) _________ the solar system.

  1. went

  2. goes

  3. is going

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

The paragraph describes universal facts about the solar system. 'The earth goes round the sun' uses present simple for a general truth that is always true. 'Went' is past, 'is going' is present continuous (for temporary action), and 'will go' is future - none fit the context of stating permanent scientific facts.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (iv).

Directions: Choose the most appropriate word/verb phrase from the options given below to complete the given paragraph.

The earth (i) _________ round the sun and the moon goes round the earth. There (ii) _________ several other bodies which like the earth go round the sun. The moon is called a satellite of the earth (iii) _________ it hangs on to it. The other planets have also got their satellites. The sun and the planets with their satellites form a happy family. This is called (iv) _________ solar system. Solar means belonging to the sun and the sun being the father of all the planets, (v) _________ whole group (vi) _________ the solar system.

  1. a

  2. the

  3. an

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

The phrase refers to 'the solar system' - a specific, unique system. 'The' is the definite article used for specific, unique things that are known to both speaker and listener. 'A' and 'an' are indefinite, and 'that' is a demonstrative - none fit in this context of naming a unique system.