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 physics light and shadow elementary ideas of astronomy shadow formation and optical medium the solar system nature and sources of light how light travels

Eclipse occurs when the Earth, Sun and Moon form:

  1. an isosceles triangle

  2. a straight line

  3. any random position

  4. a right angled triangle
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Eclipse occurs when Sun, Earth and Moon come in a straight line. The Earth or Moon that comes in between casts a shadow on Moon or Earth and form lunar or solar eclipse respectively.

Multiple choice physics light and shadow elementary ideas of astronomy shadow formation and optical medium the solar system nature and sources of light how light travels

When the Moon comes in between the Sun and Earth in a straight line, then ________ eclipse will occur.

  1. solar

  2. lunar

  3. either A or B

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

During solar eclipse, Moon comes between Sun and the Earth. The Sun is eclipsed where the shadow of the Moon falls on the Earth.

Multiple choice physics gravitation elementary ideas of astronomy shadow formation and optical medium light and shadow

The Halley's comet appears after every

  1. $72$ years
  2. $74$ years
  3. $75$ years
  4. $78$ years
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Halley's comet appears after every  $75$ years.

Halley's Comet is arguably the most famous comet. It is a "periodic" comet and returns to Earth's vicinity about every $75$ years, making it possible for a human to see it twice in his or her lifetime. The last time it was here was in 1986, and it is projected to return in $2061.$

The comet is named after English astronomer Edmond Halley, who examined reports of a comet approaching Earth in $1531, 1607$ and $1682$. He concluded that these three comets were actually the same comet returning over and over again, and predicted the comet would come again in $1758$.

Multiple choice geography ocean tsunami and floods movements of ocean and sea water oceanic circulations circulation of ocean water

Tides in the ocean will be highest when __________________.

  1. it is full Moon

  2. Moon is eclipsed

  3. Moon and Sun are pulling at right angles to the Earth

  4. Moon is in new phase
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Tides are highest (spring tides) during the new moon and full moon phases, when the gravitational pull of the sun and moon are aligned.

Multiple choice geography in search of the source of wind global pressure belts pressure belts atmospheric conditions

When the sun is overhead on the Tropic of Capricorn (22st December) the pressure belts shift _____________.

  1. $5^0N$
  2. $5^0S$
  3. $15^0N$
  4. $15^0S$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
$5^0S$
When the sun is overhead on the Tropic of Cancer (21 June) the pressure belts shift 5° northward and when it shines vertically overhead on Tropic of Capricorn (22 December), they shift 5° southward from their original position.

Because the axis of the Earth is tilted. If the Earth rotated upright the sun will always shine perpendicular to the Equator so the pressure belts would not move. But the Earth’s axis is slightly tilted. So in Summer, the northern hemisphere is pointed to the sun and in Winter southern hemisphere is pointing away from the sun. That is why days are longer in summer than in winter. The pressure belts move with the energy the sun provides. So if it is Summer in the Northern Hemisphere the pressure belts move towards the north. If it is Summer in the Southern Hemisphere, the pressure belts move further south.
Multiple choice geography in search of the source of wind global pressure belts pressure belts atmospheric conditions

When the sun is overhead on the Tropic of Cancer (21st June) the pressure belts shift ____________.

  1. $5^0N$
  2. $10^0N$
  3. $5^0S$
  4. $10^0S$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
$5^0N$
When the sun is overhead on the Tropic of Cancer (21 June) the pressure belts shift 5° northward and when it shines vertically overhead on Tropic of Capricorn (22 December), they shift 5° southward from their original position.

Because the axis of the Earth is tilted. If the Earth rotated upright the sun will always shine perpendicular to the Equator so the pressure belts would not move. But the Earth’s axis is slightly tilted. So in Summer, the northern hemisphere is pointed to the sun and in Winter southern hemisphere is pointing away from the sun. That is why days are longer in summer than in winter. The pressure belts move with the energy the sun provides. So if it is Summer in the Northern Hemisphere the pressure belts move towards the north. If it is Summer in the Southern Hemisphere, the pressure belts move further south.
Multiple choice geography the polar regions polar regions natural regions of the world diversified world

In the _________, the summer months have continuous daylight even at midnight.

  1. polar region

  2. hemisphere

  3. equator

  4. all of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The sun begins to shine in the tundra (Polar region) around February-March. In the beginning, the sun shines for a maximum of an hour and a half and then sets. Gradually, it lengthens to 2 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, and finally 24 hours! Then for almost three months from May to July, the sun never sets, it shines all 24 hours.

Multiple choice geography the polar regions polar regions natural regions of the world diversified world

The Aurora Borealis is the naturally occurring lights of _______.

  1. Equator

  2. Temperate zone

  3. Northern Hemisphere

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

Aurora Borealis one of the two types of natural light display in the Earth's sky, predominantly seen in the high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Aurora Borealis is seen in the northern hemisphere whereas Aurora Australis is seen in the southern hemisphere. 

Multiple choice geography the polar regions polar regions natural regions of the world diversified world

The Aurora Australis is the naturally occurring lights of ________.

  1. Torrid zone

  2. Temperate zone

  3. Northern Hemisphere

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

Aurora australis is the southern hemisphere counterpart to the aurora borealis. In the sky, an aurora australis takes the shape of a curtain of light that is most often green, sometimes red, and occasionally other colors too.