3. Which statement concerning the diagram is probably true?
The diagram below represents the path of the Earth’s orbit around the sun compared to the path of the orbit of a comet around the sun.
Which statement concerning the diagram is probably true?
(1) A comet has a less eccentric orbit and a shorter period of revolution than the Earth.
(2) A comet has a more eccentric orbit and a shorter period of revolution than the Earth.
(3) A comet has a less eccentric orbit and a longer period of revolution than the Earth.
(4) A comet has a more eccentric orbit and a longer period of revolution than the Earth.

4. Energy is transferred from the Sun to Earth mainly by
(1) molecular collisions
(2) density currents
(3) electromagnetic waves
(4) red shifts

5. Which process produces the energy that allows the stars of the universe to radiate visible light?
(1) convection
(2) Insolation
(3) nuclear fusion
(4) radioactive decay

6. Which star color indicates the hottest star surface temperature?
(1) blue (3) yellow
(2) white (4) red

7. Which diagram best represents the view of Polaris to an observer located at the Earth’s Equator?

8. Which pair of shaded circles best represents the relative sizes of Earth and Venus when drawn to scale?

10. The diagram below shows four surfaces of equal area that absorb insolation.
Which letter represents the surface that most likely reflects the greatest amount of insolation?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B
Which letter represents the surface that most likely absorbs the greatest amount of insolation?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B
(4) D

11. Very cold climates occur at Earth’s North and South Poles because the polar regions
(1) are usually farthest from the Sun
(2) absorb the greatest amount of insolation
(3) receive the most hours of daylight
(4) receive low-angle insolation

12. Which type of electromagnetic energy has the longest wavelength?
(1) infrared radiation
(2) radio wave radiation
(3) ultraviolet radiation
(4) x-ray radiation

13. The theory that the universe is expanding is
supported by the
(1) blue shift of light from distant galaxies
(2) red shift of light from distant galaxies
(3) nuclear fusion occurring in the Sun
(4) radioactive decay occurring in the Sun

14. If an observer on Earth cannot view Polaris, the observer is located at the
(1) equator (0°)
(2) North Pole (90° N)
(3) Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N)
(4) Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S)

15. During which month does the Sun appear to rise farthest north of due east for an observer in New York State?
(1) December (3) June
(2) January (4) July

16. How many degrees does the Sun appear to move across the sky in four hours?
(1) 60° (3) 15°
(2) 45° (4) 4°
4 x 15 = 60!

17. The diagram shows the position of the Sun, Moon, and Earth during a solar eclipse. The full shadow (umbra) and partial shadow (penumbra) are shown.
Which diagram best represents the appearance of the Sun and the Moon to an observer located within the umbra of the Moon’s shadow on Earth’s surface?

18. SPRING WINTER SUMMER AUTUMN
The diagram shows the position of the Earth during a single revolution around the sun as viewed from above the north pole. Letters A – H represent positions.
SPRING
WINTER
SUMMER
AUTUMN
Label (using the letters) the beginning of each northern hemisphere season.

19. 1/08

20. 6/09

22. Which diagram best shows the noon Sun providing an observer with the greatest amount of insolation?

23. How about on March 21st?

24. At which position would sunrise occur on March 21? (1) A (3) C
The diagram represents a horizon in New York State. Four positions of sunrise: A, B, C, and D, on different days of the year are shown
At which position would sunrise occur on March 21?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D
At which position would sunrise occur on June 21?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D

25. C—December 21 C—December 21 (2) A—December 21 (4) A—June 21
A student in New York State looked toward the eastern horizon to observe sunrise at three different times during the year. The student drew the following diagram that shows the positions of sunrise, A, B, and C, during this one-year period.
Which list correctly pairs the location of sunrise to the day of the year?
(1) A—June (3) A—March 21
B—March B—June 21
C—December C—December 21
(2) A—December (4) A—June 21
B—March B—December 21
C—June C—March 21

26. At which position is the Moon “full”?
The diagram below shows the Moon orbiting Earth as viewed from space above the North Pole. The Moon is shown at eight different positions in its orbit.
At which position is the Moon “full”?
At which positions is the Moon a “quarter”?

27. Which graph best represents the general relationship between latitude and average surface temperature?

28. The diagram below shows the Moon orbiting Earth as viewed from space above the North Pole. The Moon is shown at eight different positions in its orbit.
At which two positions of the Moon is an eclipse of the Sun or Moon possible?
(1) 1 and 5 (3) 3 and 7
(2) 2 and 6 (4) 4 and 8

29. Which material absorbs the most solar radiation?
The diagram below indicates the amount of solar radiation that is reflected by equal areas of various materials on Earth’s surface.
Which material absorbs the most solar radiation?
(1) grassy field (3) sand
(2) fresh snow (4) forest

30. On which day were shadows the longest? (1) Dec. 21 (3) June 21
The diagram shows the apparent daily path of the Sun, as viewed by an observer at a certain latitude on three different days of the year.
On which day were shadows the longest?
(1) Dec. 21 (3) June 21
(2) March 21 (4) It was the same on all days
On which day was there the greatest insolation?
(1) Dec. 21 (3) June 21
(2) March 21 (4) It was the same on all days

31. Which diagram best shows the Sun’s apparent path, as seen by an observer on July 21 in New York State?

32. At which position would sunrise occur on March 21? (1) A (3) C
The diagram represents a horizon in New York State. Four positions of sunrise: A, B, C, and D, on different days of the year are shown
At which position would sunrise occur on March 21?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D
At which position would sunrise occur on June 21?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D

34. From which New York State location would Polaris be observed to have an altitude closest to 43° above the northern horizon?
Binghamton (3) Watertown
(2) Utica (4) New York City

35. (1) 15° higher in the sky (3) 42° higher in the sky
The diagram shows the altitude
of the Sun at solar noon on
March 21, as seen by an
observer at 42° N latitude.
Compared to the altitude of the Sun observed at
solar noon on March 21, the altitude of the Sun
observed at solar noon on June 21 will be
(1) 15° higher in the sky (3) 42° higher in the sky
(2) 23.5° higher in the sky ) 48° higher in the sky

36. 10 AM
Is about 30o to the East of South—Earth rotates at
15o / hour.
Which circle for the SUMMER solstice represents the 10 AM sun?
Which circle for the SUMMER solstice represents the noon sun?
12 PM
If this is NYS, which direction is North? S W E
North
Noon sun is
always to the SOUTH,
noon shadows are always
to the NORTH. N

38. The diagram below shows the Moon in different positions as it revolves around Earth, as observed from above the North Pole (NP).
Which image correctly represents the Moon at position 1, as observed from Earth?

39. Diagram 1 shows the Moon in its orbit at four positions labeled A, B, C, and D. Diagram 2 shows a phase of the Moon as viewed from New York State.
At which labeled Moon position would the phase of the Moon shown in diagram 2 be observed from New York State?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D

40. from above the North Pole.
The diagram shows a model of Earth’s orbit
around the Sun. Letters A, B, C, and D represent Earth’s position at the beginning of each season.
In which orbital position would Earth be illuminated as shown?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D
Viewed
from above the North Pole.

41. A C About 365 How many Earth rotations equals one Earth revolution?
The diagram below shows a model of Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Letters A, B, C, and D represent Earth’s position at the beginning of each season.
How many Earth rotations equals one Earth revolution?
Which position of Earth represents the day when Earth’s revolution is fastest?
Which position of Earth represents the first day of summer in the Northern
Hemisphere? C A
About 365

42. A question where YOU do the drawing…

43. to indicate the location of the shadow of the “Observer in Buffalo”.
On the same
sky model diagram
place a at the
apparent position
of the North Star as
seen from Buffalo.
With your sun at 3 PM
on March 21, use a line
to indicate the location
of the shadow of the
“Observer in Buffalo”.
On the path labeled March 21
Indicate the location of the
Sun at 3PM
Draw a line to represent the apparent path of the Sun from sunrise to sunset at Buffalo on May 21.

44. Earth’s rate of rotation is approximately
(1) 1° per day (3) 180° per day
(2) 15° per day (4) 360° per day
Earth’s rate of revolution is approximately
(1) 1° per day (3) 180° per day
(2) 15° per day (4) 360° per day

47. On which day were shadows the longest? (1) Dec. 21 (3) June 21
The diagram shows the apparent daily path of the Sun, as viewed by an observer at a certain latitude on three different days of the year.
On which day were shadows the longest?
(1) Dec. 21 (3) June 21
(2) March 21 (4) It was the same on all days
On which day was there the greatest insolation?
(1) Dec. 21 (3) June 21
(2) March 21 (4) It was the same on all days

48. At which latitude were these apparent Sun paths most likely observed?
The diagram shows the apparent daily path of the Sun, as viewed by an observer at a certain latitude on three different days of the year.
At which latitude were these apparent Sun paths most likely observed?
(1) 0° (3) 43° N
(2) 23.5° N (4) 66.5° N