20150904

Astronomy quiz question: time for Aquila to rise to zenith

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

The diagram at right shows the positions on September 1 of the constellations Cygnus and Aquila for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA. Ignore daylight saving time. Assume you can see stars in daylight. The constellation Aquila will be at its highest point in the sky __________ later.
(A) five hours.
(B) seven hours.
(C) nine hours.
(D) 12 hours.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (A)

On September 1 Cygnus and Aquila will have the positions shown above the northeast-east horizon at 4:00 PM. Using a starwheel to advance the time hourly starting from 4:00 PM on September 1, Aquila will be at the highest point in the sky (the zenith) at approximately 9:00 PM, which is five hours later.

Section 70158
Exam code: quiz01sC4r
(A) : 29 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 6 students
(D) : 8 students

Success level: 65% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.67

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