Astronomy quiz question: tilt and revolution

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, Fall Semester 2010
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Together, Earth's tilt and revolution cause the __________, over the course of a year, as seen by an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA.
(A) hours between sunrise and sunset to vary.
(B) celestial north pole to wander around relative to the stars.
(C) circumpolar stars to orbit the celestial north pole.
(D) stars to rise, move across the celestial sphere, and set.

Correct answer: (A)

Response (B) is caused by precession, while both responses (C) and (D) are caused by rotation.

Section 70160
(A) : 24 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 6 students
(D) : 5 students

"Success level": 60% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.64