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

"Sun never set on the British Empire" means

  1. The sun was stuck in the sky

  2. Parliament passed laws limiting the ability of the sun

  3. The British Empire was global

  4. They colonized parts of Alaska where it is sunny for 80 days
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase refers to the vast territorial reach of the British Empire, which held colonies across every time zone, ensuring that the sun was always shining on at least one part of its territory. The other options are literal or nonsensical interpretations.

Multiple choice

The theory that the sun is the center of the universe.

  1. gravity

  2. heliocentric theory

  3. geocentric theory

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

The heliocentric theory, proposed by Copernicus, states that the sun is the center of the solar system. The geocentric theory incorrectly placed the Earth at the center.

Multiple choice

Roughly how long does it take for the sun’s light to reach Earth?

  1. 8 minutes

  2. 8 weeks

  3. 8 hours

  4. 8 days
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The average distance from the Sun to the Earth is about 150 million kilometers. Since light travels at approximately 300,000 kilometers per second, it takes about 500 seconds, or 8 minutes and 20 seconds, for light to reach us.

Multiple choice evs - i interdependence in our environment meaning of environment significance of biodiversity habitat and adaptation

A $400$km thick, bright layer around the sun is known as _______.

  1. Photosphere

  2. Chromosphere

  3. Terrestrial

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

Photosphere is the lowest layer around the sun in which the energy of the sun is emitted as light. Due to this the layer appears bright. It is approximately 400 km in thickness. So, the correct option is 'Photosphere'.

Multiple choice evs interdependence in our environment meaning of environment significance of biodiversity habitat and adaptation

 Seasonal variations on Earth occur due to its 

  1. tilted axis

  2. rotation around its own axis

  3. revolution around sun

  4. both (a) and (c)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The revolution of our planet around the Sun and the tilt of axis cause annual variations in the intensity and duration of temperature, resulting in distinct seasons. These variations together with annual variation in precipitation account for the formation of major biomes such as desert, rain forest, and tundra. 

So the correct option is 'both (a), and (c)'.

Multiple choice

How long does the sun's rays take to reach Earth?

  1. 8 seconds

  2. 8 hours

  3. 8 minutes

  4. 8 days
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Light travels at a constant speed, and the average distance from the Sun to Earth is about 150 million kilometers, which takes light approximately 8 minutes and 20 seconds to traverse.

Multiple choice

Approximately how old is the Sun?

  1. 1 billion years

  2. 4.5 billion years

  3. 3 billion years

  4. 2 trillion years
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Scientific consensus based on stellar evolution models and radiometric dating of meteorites places the age of the Sun at approximately 4.5 to 4.6 billion years.

Multiple choice physics wave optics resolving power of optical instruments resolution of optical instruments diffraction

A photograph of the moon was taken with telescope. Later on, it was found that a housefly was siting on the objective lens of the telescope. In photograph

  1. the image of the housefly will be reduced

  2. there is a reduction in the intensity of the image

  3. there is an increase in the intensity of the image

  4. the image of the housefly will be enlarged
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Multiple choice physics observing space: telescopes space research and satellites space travel space exploration and forms of light

Why is it advised to used telescope at night?

  1. During day, sun rays are very strong and it is not possible to see distant objects.

  2. Night sky is clearer than day sky.

  3. Both A and B

  4. Neither A nor B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Telescopes are used at night because of the following reasons:

1. Sun rays in day are very strong and other distant objects are not visible since the intensity of light from distant sources is much weaker.
2. Night sky is clearer than day sky primarily due to lesser pollution. This helps in formation of higher quality images at night.

Multiple choice

When does Earth make a shadow on the moon?

  1. Solar eclipse

  2. Lunar eclipse

  3. Earth eclipse
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow onto the moon.

Multiple choice

when does the moon make a shadow on Earth?

  1. Solar eclipse

  2. lunar eclipse

  3. Earth eclips
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, casting its shadow onto the Earth.