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

If the earth’s axis were perpendicular to the plane of its orbit and the circle of illumination would pass right through the poles which of the following would not happen?

  1. No change of seasons will take place

  2. Days and nights would be equal throughout the year

  3. The North Pole will always be in daylight.

  4. The North pole will always be in the dark
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

If the axis were perpendicular to the orbit, the circle of illumination would pass through the poles, resulting in 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness everywhere on Earth every day. Therefore, the North Pole would experience a cycle of day and night, not permanent darkness or permanent daylight.

Multiple choice

Lunar eclipse occurs when the?

  1. Earth comes between the sun and the moon

  2. Moon comes between the sun and the earth

  3. Sun comes between the earth and the moon

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

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon.

Multiple choice

The earth rotates around an axis pointing towards?

  1. The polar star

  2. The sun

  3. The moon

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

The Earth's axis of rotation is currently aligned toward the North Star, also known as Polaris. This alignment is why the North Star appears stationary in the night sky while other stars seem to rotate around it.

Multiple choice

Day and night are the result of

  1. Earth's rotation on its axis

  2. Earth's revolution

  3. Earth's rotation accompanied with its revolution

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

Day and night occur because the Earth rotates on its axis, causing different parts of the planet to face the sun at different times.

Multiple choice

The Universe is composed of

  1. earth

  2. earth and the sun

  3. earth, fire and air

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

In physics, the universe is defined as the totality of all space, time, and matter.

Multiple choice

Which of the following bodies in space causes tides and why?

  1. The Moon causes tides because of its light.

  2. The Sun causes tides because of its heat.

  3. The Moon causes tides because of its gravity.

  4. The Sun causes tides because of its gravity.

  5. Meteors cause tides because they enter the earth's gravity.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. The Moon's gravity is lesser than the earth's gravity, but it is still effective on Earth. It pulls the water of the oceans and the seas as it gravitates around the Earth giving rise to the tides.

Multiple choice

A solar eclipse occurs when _____________.

  1. The shadow of the Earth blocks the Sun completely.

  2. The shadow of the Moon blocks the Sun completely.

  3. The shadow of the Earth blocks the Moon completely.

  4. The shadow of the Sun blocks the Moon completely.

  5. The shadow of the Sun blocks the Earth completely.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

At the time of an eclipse the sun the Moon and the Earth are in a straight line with the Moon between the Earth and the Sun. When the Moon blocks all the light from the Sun it is called a solar eclipse.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is/are correct? a. Constellations move randomly in the sky. b. The Sun is the only planet that we can see in the day. c. Venus was called the morning or evening star.

  1. Only a

  2. Only b

  3. Only c

  4. Only a and b

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

This is the correct satatement. Venus is called the morning or the evening star. Although Venus is a planet, but in ancient civilisations it was known as the morning star or the evening star as it came close to the Earth and could be seen by the naked eye.

Multiple choice

The Moon is the brightest object in the sky after the Sun. Which of the following reasons is correct for its brightness?

  1. It shines because of the gases present on it.

  2. It shines because of the thick shining dust on its surface.

  3. It shines because it reflects the colour of the water on the Earth's surface.

  4. It shines due to the craters caused by meteorites.

  5. It shines because it reflects the light of the Sun falling on it.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. It shines because it reflects the light of the sun falling on it.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct? a. The gravity on the Moon's surface is six times that of Earth's surface. b. The different shapes/sizes of the Moon visible from Earth are called the phases of Moon. c. A solar eclipse occurs on the day of a New Moon.

  1. Only a

  2. Only b

  3. Only c

  4. Only a and b

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

The different shapes/sizes of the Moon visible from Earth are called the phases of the Moon. This is the only correct statement.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is/are incorrect? a. The moon takes 27 days and 8 hours to complete one rotation. b. Every 12 and half hours there is a high tide followed by a low tide. c. The artificial satellites are 3000 kms away from the earth.

  1. Only a

  2. Only b

  3. Only c

  4. Only a and b

  5. Only a and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is an incorrect statement. Thus this answer is correct. The artificial satellites are 300 kms, not 3000 kms away from the earth.