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 evs our solar system asteroids, comets, and meteors and meteorites other objects in solar system asteroids, comets and meteors

The tail of a comet is directed away from the sun because.

  1. The radiation emitted by the sun exerts a radial pressure on the comet throwing its tail away from the sun

  2. As the comet rotates, the lighter mass of the comet is attracted by some star situated in the direction of its tail

  3. As the comet rotates around the sun, the lighter mass of the comet is pushed away due to the centrifugal force alone

  4. The tail of the comet always exists in the same orientation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

As a comet approaches the sun, solar radiation pressure and the solar wind push the ionized gases and dust particles away from the sun, creating the characteristic tail.

Multiple choice physics the universe types of galaxies galaxies constellations

Cosmic or galactic year is :

  1. year in which a comet arrives.

  2. period taken by Earth to revolve around the Sun.

  3. year in which total solar eclipse occurs.

  4. period of Sun's revolution around galactic centre.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The galactic year, also known as a cosmic year, is the duration of time required for the solar system to orbit once around the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The length of one orbit range from 225 to 250 million terrestrial years.
The solar system is traveling at an average speed of 828,000 km/h or 514,000 mph within its trajectory around the galactic center, which is about one 1300th of the speed of light speed at which an object could circumnavigate the Earth's equator in 2 minutes and 54 seconds.

Multiple choice physics the universe types of galaxies galaxies constellations

The time taken by the Sun to revolve around the centre of our galaxy is:

  1. 25 million years

  2. 100 million years

  3. 250 million years

  4. 500 million years
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
The galactic year, also known as a cosmic year, is the duration of time required for the solar system to orbit once around the center of the Milky Way galaxy. 
1 galactic year is almost equal to 250 million years.
Multiple choice physics effects of light eclipses elementary ideas of astronomy shadow formation and optical medium

What is known as an eclipse?

  1. Astronomical event when one celestial body partially or totally cover another celestial object

  2. Astronomical event when one celestial body cover another meteor

  3. Astronomical event when one meteor partially or totally cover another meteor

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

An eclipse is an event where one heavenly body compeletely or partially blocks the light from the other heavenly body.

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

Which type of eclipse is known when Earth, Moon and Sun doesn't align in straight line and Moon only partially covers sun?

  1. Total Solar Eclipse

  2. Partial Solar Eclipse

  3. Annular Solar Eclipse

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

When Moon is between the Sun and the Earth but doesn't align in a straight line results in a partial solar eclipse.

Partial Solar Eclipse is known when Earth, Moon and Sun doesn't align in straight line and Moon only partially covers sun.

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

What is solar eclipse?

  1. When Earth, Moon and Sun form a straight line

  2. When Earth, Moon and Sun form a Cross line

  3. When Earth, Moon form a straight line

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

Solar eclipse is the event where the light form the Sun is blocked by the Moon, when Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth and all three forms a straight line.

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

Why should you not see the solar eclipse directly?

  1. Sun rays are very strong and may cause damage to eyes

  2. Sun rays are weak and may cause strain on your eyes

  3. Sun rays are very strong and may cause a burn on skin.

  4. Sunlight refracts in eclipse and intensity is increased
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Direct rays of sun are very strong. 

Looking at it directly may cause severe damage to eyes because of high intensity.

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

When does total solar eclipse occur?                     

  1. When Moon completely covers Sun as seen from earth

  2. When Sun completely covers Moon as seen from earth

  3. When Earth completely covers Sun as seen from moon

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

Total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is between the Sun and the Earth, and an umbra is cast by the Moon on the Earth's surface.

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

Which eclipse is known as when Earth's umbra-central dark part shadow obscures all of Moon's visible surface?

  1. Hybrid

  2. Total

  3. Partial

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

Earth cast a shadow on the Moon in a lunar eclipse. Earth's shadow are of 2 types: umbra and penumbra. The darkest or the total shadow is the umbra while the partial shadow is the penumbra. Total eclipse occurs when the Moon is the umbra region.

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

When does lunar eclipse occurs?

  1. When Earth comes between Sun and moon

  2. When Sun comes between Earth and moon

  3. When Moon comes between Sun and Earth

  4. When Earth comes between Star and moon
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Lunar eclipse occurs when Moon pass from the behind the Earth or when Earth is betwen the Sun and the Moon. Earth blocks the light of the Sun that would have fallen on the Moon.

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


State whether the given statement is True or False :

A partial lunar eclipse can be observed when only part of the Moon's visible surface is obscured by the Earth's umbra. 

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Earth cast a shadow on the Moon in a lunar eclipse. Earth's shadow are of 2 types: umbra and penumbra. The darkest or the total shadow is the umbra while the partial shadow is the penumbra. Partial lunar eclipse occurs when a part of the Moon is in the umbra region.

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

Fill in the blank:

Lunar eclipse is a _______ phenomenon.

  1. common

  2. less common

  3. impossible

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

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly behind the Earth into its umbra (shadow). This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, a lunar eclipse can only occur the night of a full moon. The type and length of an eclipse depend upon the Moon's location relative to its orbital nodes.
Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a certain relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of the Earth. A lunar eclipse lasts for a few hours, whereas a total solar eclipse lasts for only a few minutes at any given place, due to the smaller size of the Moon's shadow. 
Every year, there are at least two lunar eclipses and as many as five, although total lunar eclipses are significantly less common.