New Pupil Toolkit for GCSE (9-1) Astronomy

GCSE (9-1) Astronomy

Pupil Worksheet

Week 23 Topic 5.2

Spec. ref. 5.2, 5.6

1. What is the name of the annual path taken by the Sun on the celestial sphere?

Choose from:

eclipse ellipse ecliptic

Your answer: ...... (1)

2. Match the key events during one solar year with their corresponding dates.

Note that the events refer to those in the northern hemisphere.

The first has been completed for you.

Spring equinox June 21st

Autumnal equinox December 21st

Winter solstice September 23rd

Summer solstice March 21st (3)

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3. In which constellation is the First Point of Aries located?

x A Aries

x B Aquarius

x C Pisces

x D Taurus (1)

4. What is the declination of the Sun on June 21st.?

Your answer: ......

(2)

5. Which of the following GCSE Astronomy students is correct?

Sarah: The First Point of Sam: The First Point of

Libra is no longer in the Libra is no longer in the constellation of Libra constellation of Libra because of precession of the because of precession of the Earth’s axis. Sun’s axis.

(1)

6. Which line of latitude is directly below the Sun on 21st December?

Your answer: ......

(2)

7. What are the equatorial coordinates of the First Point of Libra?

RA = ...... h ...... min dec = ...... ° (3)

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8. The First Point of Aries marks the point at which the Sun

x A crosses the celestial equator moving from north to south

x B crosses the celestial equator moving from south to north

x C has its maximum positive declination

x D has its maximum negative declination (1)

9. On December 21st each year, the Sun is directly over a key line of latitude.

What is the name of this key line of latitude?

Your answer: ...... (1)

10. The diagram shows the path taken by the Sun on the celestial sphere during one year.

+30

+20

° +10 0

-10

/ declination -20 -30 0 21 18 15 12 9 6 3 0 right ascension / hour

On the diagram, mark the position of the First Point of Aries. Use the symbol . (1)

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Solutions

1. ecliptic (1 mark)

2. 1 mark for each correct link. Maximum 3 marks.

Spring equinox June 21st

Autumnal equinox December 21st

Winter solstice September 23rd

Summer solstice March 21st

3. C (1)

4. + (1) 23.5° (1)

5. Sarah (1)

6. 23.5° (1) south (1)

7. RA = 12 h (1) 0 min (1); dec = 0° (1)

8. B (1)

9. Tropic of Capricorn (1)

10. First Point of Aries correctly indicated (1) (Alternative position at LHS of diagram)

+30 +20

° +10

0  (1) -10

eclination / eclination

d -20

-30 0 21 18 15 12 9 6 3 0

right ascension / hour

Your score: / 16

New Pupil Toolkit for GCSE (9-1) Astronomy © Mickledore Publishing 2017