New Pupil Toolkit for GCSE (9-1) Astronomy
GCSE (9-1) Astronomy
Pupil Worksheet
Week 12 Topic 2.2
Spec. refs 2.6, 2.7, 2.8
1. What is the rotational period of the Moon? Choose from:
27.3 days 28.0 days 29.5 days
Your answer: ...... (1)
2. What is the orbital period of the Moon around the Earth? Choose from:
27.3 days 28.0 days 29.5 days
Your answer: ...... (1)
3. What is the correct name for the part of the Moon that remains invisible from Earth?
x A bright side
x B dark side
x C far side
x D near side (1)
New Pupil Toolkit for GCSE (9-1) Astronomy © Mickledore Publishing 2017 New Pupil Toolkit for GCSE (9-1) Astronomy
4. Two images of Tycho crater are shown below. The images were taken from the same location on Earth.
Which type of lunar libration do the images show? Choose from:
diurnal libration libration in latitude libration in longitude
Your answer: ...... (1)
5. At full Moon, it is possible to observe different parts of the lunar surface when the Moon is almost setting compared with when the Moon is just rising.
What is the name of this type of libration? Choose from:
diurnal libration libration in latitude libration in longitude
Your answer: ...... (1)
6. The British astronomer Patrick Moore was a keen observer of lunar libration. During such an observation, he discovered what he thought to be a large mare just around the Moon’s western limb.
What name did Patrick Moore give to this hitherto unknown mare? Choose from:
Mare Orientale Mare West Mare Moscoviense
Your answer: ...... (1)
New Pupil Toolkit for GCSE (9-1) Astronomy © Mickledore Publishing 2017 New Pupil Toolkit for GCSE (9-1) Astronomy
7. To the nearest day, how long does it take for the Moon to rotate through an angle of 240°?
x A 9 days
x B 15 days
x C 18 days
x D 24 days (1)
8. What is the percentage of the lunar disc that is invisible from the Earth?
x A 30%
x B 41%
x C 50%
x D 59% (1)
9. Libration in longitude is caused by the Moon’s elliptical orbit around the Earth.
Explain the connection between this type of libration and the Moon’s orbit. You may draw a diagram if you wish.
......
......
......
...... (3)
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10. The Moon’s equator is inclined to the plane of its orbit around the Earth by 1.5°.
In addition, the plane of the Moon’s orbit it inclined at 5.1° to the ecliptic.
ecliptic
5.1° 1.5°
Which lunar libration is caused by the combined effect of the Moon’s axial tilt and orbit around the Earth?
x A diurnal libration
x B libration in latitude
x C libration in longitude
x D physical libration (1)
Solutions
1. 27.3 days (1 mark)
2. 27.3 days (1)
3. C (1)
4. libration in latitude (1)
5. diurnal libration (1)
6. Mare Orientale (1)
7. C (1)
8. B (1)
9. During its elliptical orbit, the Moon’s orbital speed changes (1) (could be shown on exaggerated diagram).
The Moon’s (axial) rotation remains constant (1).
This allows parts of the Moon’s eastern and western limb to be visible (1) (during different times of the lunar month).
10. B (1)
Your score: / 12
New Pupil Toolkit for GCSE (9-1) Astronomy © Mickledore Publishing 2017