20120219

Astronomy quiz question: Galileo's observation of the moons of Jupiter

Astronomy 210 Quiz 2, spring semester 2012
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Galileo's observations of the moons of Jupiter supported the heliocentric model of planetary motion over the geocentric model because:
(A) their orbits were elliptical instead of circular.
(B) it showed that epicycles and deferents were not real.
(C) no parallax was observed.
(D) there could be centers of motion other than Earth.

Correct answer: (D)

Although the observations of Jupiter being orbited by its moons did not prove the heliocentric model of planetary motion, it did make it plausible that Earth could orbit the sun, and not leave the moon behind.

Section 30674
Exam code: quiz02n0Is
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 27 students
(No response : 1 student)

Success level: 80% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.56

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