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

We always see the same face of the moon, because

  1. it is smaller than the earth

  2. it revolves on its axis in a direction opposite to that of the earth

  3. it takes equal time for revolution around the earth and rotation on its own axis

  4. it rotates at the same speed as the earth around the sun
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Moon's period of rotation on its own axis is equal to its period of revolution around the Earth, a phenomenon known as synchronous rotation. Because of this exact synchronization, the same side of the Moon always faces the Earth.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill in the blank with an appropriate word.

For a blue moon to ________, the first of the full moons must appear at or near the beginning of the month so that the second will fall within the same month.

  1. happen

  2. occur

  3. see

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

Occur is the standard verb used to describe the happening of natural phenomena like a blue moon. Happen is also possible, but occur is more formal and precise in this context.

Multiple choice

The day and night are equal on ____.

  1. Equator

  2. Equinoxes

  3. Equidays

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

Equinoxes occur twice a year when the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in approximately equal day and night lengths globally.

Multiple choice

Although just inside the orbit of Jupiter, amateur astronomers with good telescopes should be able to see the comet within the next few weeks.

  1. Although just inside the orbit of

  2. Although it is just inside the orbit of

  3. Just inside the orbit of

  4. Orbiting just inside

  5. Having orbited just inside
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The original phrase is a dangling modifier because the subject of the main clause, amateur astronomers, is not the entity inside the orbit of Jupiter. Option B correctly adds a subject and verb to the introductory clause to fix this.

Multiple choice

The South Pole experiences continuous light at

  1. winter solstice

  2. summer solstice

  3. no time

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

During the southern hemisphere summer solstice (around December 21), the South Pole is tilted towards the Sun and experiences 24 hours of continuous daylight.

Multiple choice

Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere occurs on

  1. 25th November

  2. 22nd December

  3. 26th January

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

The summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere occurs when the Sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which happens around December 22nd.

Multiple choice

Moon is called a satellite of the earth because

  1. it is much smaller than the earth

  2. it has no light of its own

  3. it revolves round the earth

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

A satellite is a celestial body that orbits a planet. The Moon is considered a satellite of Earth because it revolves around the Earth.

Multiple choice

Solar eclipse takes place on

  1. full moon only

  2. new moon only

  3. both (1) and (2)

  4. neither (1) nor (2)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, which can only happen during the new moon phase.

Multiple choice

Comets revolve around the

  1. sun

  2. moon

  3. earth

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

Comets are small, icy bodies that orbit the Sun. When they get close to the Sun, they heat up and develop a tail, which is why they are often referred to as orbiting the Sun.