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 explains penumbra correctly?

  1. The darkest sunspot.

  2. The blackest part of a shadow from which all light is cut off.

  3. The completely dark portion of the shadow cast by the Earth, Moon or other body during an eclipse.

  4. A light shaded region surrounding the dark central portion of a sunspot (umbra).

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

Yes, it is correct. This shaded region surrounding the dark central portion of a sunspot (umbra) is the penumbra. A Penumbra is not as dark as the umbra region. It is light shaded part surrounding the dark shadow.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate option out of the following options.

The sun is _____ star.

  1. a

  2. an

  3. the

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

The indefinite article 'a' is correct because 'star' is used in a generic sense here - the sun is one of many stars in the universe. We use 'a' (not 'an') because 'star' begins with a consonant sound, and we don't use 'the' because we're not referring to a unique, specific star.

Multiple choice

Solar eclipse occurs

  1. when earth comes between the moon and the sun

  2. on a half moon day

  3. when the moon comes in between the sun and earth

  4. on the full moon day
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth and either partially or fully blocking the Sun's light. This phenomenon can only occur during the New Moon phase when the three bodies are aligned.

Multiple choice

In polar region, the sun does not set for

  1. six months

  2. six hours

  3. six days

  4. six weeks

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

Yes, it is correct. In polar region, the sun does not set for about six months and it does not appear for another six months of the year.

Multiple choice

Duration of sunshine is longest in _____________.

  1. May and June

  2. November and December

  3. July and August

  4. February and March

  5. September and October
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is correct as these are summer months. During the summer season, the duration of the sunshine is longer. Due to this, the temperature is high in summer.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question below, the 1st and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named B, C, D and E. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

  1. The sun has been shedding light and energy on Earth for about 4.5 billion years. B. And while it provides us with life, it can also ­be dangerous. C. That's a lot of heat, and if you're not careful, it can cause a lot of damage. D. That means, humans have only been around to enjoy a fraction of it. E. After all, the center of the sun burns at roughly 10 million degrees Fahrenheit (5.5 million degrees Celsius).
  2. Looking directly at the sun, even for a few minutes, can blind you permanently.

  1. CDEB

  2. CBED

  3. DCBE

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

In D, 'fraction of it' refers to 'about 4.5 billion years' in 1. 'And while it provides us…can also be dangerous' in B links it with D providing contrary statement to 'around to enjoy'. E follows B because it explains why sun can be dangerous. 'That's a lot of heat' in C refers to '10 million degrees Fahrenheit' in E. 6 explains what damage the sun can cause as mentioned in C.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of curvilinear motion?

  1. A girl sliding down a slope

  2. A spinning top

  3. A boy on a swing

  4. A ball thrown upwards at an angle

  5. The Earth revolving around the Sun
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. A ball thrown upwards at an angle is an example of curvilinear motion.

Multiple choice

The earth revolves round the sun and its causes :

  1. Differences in longitude and time

  2. Changes of seasons

  3. Deflection of winds and currents

  4. Formation of day and night
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Earth's revolution around the Sun on a tilted axis leads to varying amounts of sunlight reaching different parts of the planet throughout the year. This cycle is what creates the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Rotation on the axis, by contrast, causes day and night.

Multiple choice

The longest day in India is ______.

  1. 21st June

  2. 20th June

  3. 21st December

  4. 23rd September
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

June 21st is the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the day with the longest period of daylight. Since India is located in the Northern Hemisphere, it experiences its longest day on this date. Conversely, December 21st or 22nd is the shortest day of the year.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the word which has the same contextual meaning as the part in bold letters in the given sentence.

The earth moves around the sun in a curved path.

  1. Orbit

  2. Ellipse

  3. Rotation

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

Orbit is the actual or imaginary path taken by a celestial body during its periodic revolution around another body. Ellipse is a geometrical shape. Rotation is the spinning of a body on its axis, e.g. earth rotates. Track is any path. So, orbit is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Equinoxes occur when

  1. the days are longer than the nights

  2. the nights are longer than the days

  3. the nights and days are equal in length

  4. the difference between the length of nights and days is the highest
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

An equinox occurs twice a year when the Sun is positioned exactly above the Earth's equator. During this time, the duration of day and night is approximately equal everywhere on Earth.