Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, fall semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz04S3re


Section quiz04S3re

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 6.0]
8.5-16.0 :	***
16.5-24.0 :	******
24.5-32.0 :	******* [mean = 26.5 +/- 8.6]
32.5-40.0 :	************ [high = 36.5]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz04NDme


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	** [low = 6.0]
8.5-16.0 :	***
16.5-24.0 :	****** [mean = 23.5 +/- 8.7]
24.5-32.0 :	********
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 36.5]

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, spring semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz04n3Ni


Section quiz04n3Ni

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	* [low = 9.0]
16.5-24.0 :	*********
24.5-32.0 :	************ [mean = 26.7 +/- 7.1]
32.5-40.0 :	******** [high = 40.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz04Si3n


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	***** [low = 9.5]
16.5-24.0 :	************
24.5-32.0 :	************** [mean = 25.1 +/- 8.4]
32.5-40.0 :	******** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, fall semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz04S4pR


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :
16.5-24.0 :	****** [low = 18.5]
24.5-32.0 :	******************* [mean = 30.7 +/- 5.8]
32.5-40.0 :	***************** [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz04N3rn


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	* [low = 12.0]
16.5-24.0 :	***
24.5-32.0 :	************* [mean = 30.4 +/- 6.8]
32.5-40.0 :	************ [high = 40.0]

Astronomy midterm question: Mars and Saturn rising after midnight?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board was asked and answered[*]:

Q: Well, I observed a bright red dot that is Mars rising just after midnight. At the same time there was another bright white dot right next to Mars. What is it?
A: I think it's Saturn.

Discuss how this answer is plausible for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA, and how you know this. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Mars, Saturn, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20140311092430AAKTg2Q.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations for an observer on Earth at or around midnight (12 AM):
  1. Mars can be placed in an orbit around the sun outside of Earth's orbit such that it is visible low over the observer's east horizon; and
  2. Saturn is also placed in an orbit around the sun outside of Earth's orbit such that it is visible low over the observer's east horizon.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Has east/west horizons switched, such that Mars and/or Saturn are setting at or around midnight.
• t:
  Problems with either diagram or discussion. Problems with either diagram or discussion. May have:
  1. observer placed at midnight, but has Mars and Saturn both high overhead; or
  2. observer not placed at midnight and east/west horizons switched.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Diagram and discussion problematic.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70160
Exam code: midterm01Sn0w
p: 16 students
r: 9 students
t: 16 students
v: 4 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1027):
Another sample "p" response (from student 2622):
A sample "r" response (from student 4472), with Mars and Saturn setting at midnight:

Astronomy midterm question: Mars and Venus low in the west at sunrise?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board was asked and answered[*]:

Q: Well, I observed a bright red dot that is Mars low in the west at sunrise. At the same time there was another bright white dot right next to Mars. What is it?
A: I think it's Venus.

Discuss how this answer is implausible for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA, and how you know this. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Mars, Venus, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20140311092430AAKTg2Q.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations for an observer on Earth at or around sunrise (6 AM):
  1. Mars can be placed in an orbit around the sun outside of Earth's orbit such that it is visible low over the observer's west horizon; and
  2. Venus, when placed anywhere in an orbit around the sun inside of Earth's orbit, can only be seen low over the east horizon at sunrise.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Has east/west horizons switched, such that Mars and/or Venus are setting at or around sunset.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Problems with either diagram or discussion. May have both Venus and Mars in an inner (or outer) orbit with east/west horizons switched, such that Venus and Mars are rising at or around sunrise (or sunset).
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Diagram and discussion problematic.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70160
Exam code: midterm01nDm3
p: 14 students
r: 10 students
t: 9 students
v: 0 student
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1352):
Another sample "p" response (from student 8954):

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, spring semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz04nqyL


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	****** [low = 12.0]
16.5-24.0 :	****** [mean = 23.6 +/- 7.7]
24.5-32.0 :	*******
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 36.5]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz04sl4M


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 7.0]
8.5-16.0 :	********
16.5-24.0 :	************** [mean = 22.9 +/- 7.8]
24.5-32.0 :	*********
32.5-40.0 :	******* [high = 36.5]

Astronomy midterm question: Mars in the east and Venus in the west at sunset?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, spring semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board was asked and answered[*]:

g12: How can I find Mars and Venus?
Chr: Right now [February 2012] Mars is low in the east at sunset, while at the same time that Venus is low in the west.

Discuss how this answer could be correct for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA, and how you know this. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Mars, Venus, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120205171726AAsMiO0.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations for an observer on Earth at sunset (6 PM):
  1. Mars can be placed in an orbit around the sun outside of Earth's orbit such that it is visible low over the observer's east horizon; and
  2. Venus can be placed in an orbit around the sun inside of Earth's orbit such that it is visible low over the observer's west horizon.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors.
• t:
  Problems with either diagram or discussion. May have:
  1. Mars in an inner orbit and/or Venus in an outer orbit; or
  2. observer not placed at sunset and/or east/west horizons switched.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Diagram and discussion problematic.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 30676
Exam code: midterm01sP4m
p: 25 students
r: 3 students
t: 14 students
v: 1 student
x: 1 student
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 0247):
Another sample "p" response (from student 2412):

Astronomy midterm question: Mars and Mercury both low in the west at sunrise?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, spring semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board was asked and answered[*]:

Pdg: Can be Mars and Mercury be both low in the west at sunrise?
CON: No. Mars can be low in the west at sunrise, but Mercury cannot.

Discuss how this answer is correct, and how you know this. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Mars, Mercury, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20170106000722AAkerYG.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations for an observer on Earth at sunrise (6 AM):
  1. Mars can be placed in an orbit around the sun outside of Earth's orbit such that it is visible low over the observer's west horizon; and
  2. Mercury can be placed in an orbit around the sun inside of Earth's orbit but will never be visible low over the observer's west horizon.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors.
• t:
  Problems with either diagram or discussion. May have:
  1. Mars in an inner orbit and/or Mercury in an outer orbit; or
  2. observer not placed at sunset and/or east/west horizons switched.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Diagram and discussion problematic.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 30674
Exam code: midterm01nghT
p: 14 students
r: 0 students
t: 6 students
v: 0 student
x: 2 students
y: 0 students
z: 1 student

A sample "p" response (from student 9433):

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, fall semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz04s5ie


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*********
16.5-24.0 :	************** [mean = 20.6 +/- 6.6]
24.5-32.0 :	*******
32.5-40.0 :	** [high = 36.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz04n4uG


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	******
16.5-24.0 :	********** [mean = 21.3 +/- 6.4]
24.5-32.0 :	********** [high = 32.0]
32.5-40.0 :

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, spring semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz04nG4N


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	****
16.5-24.0 :	******* [mean = 21.6 +/- 7.7]
24.5-32.0 :	******
32.5-40.0 :	* [high = 36.5]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz04stP7


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	*** [low = 12.0]
16.5-24.0 :	*********************** [mean = 24.9 +/- 6.9]
24.5-32.0 :	************
32.5-40.0 :	*********** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz04s7Rn


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	*** [low = 8.5]
16.5-24.0 :	***********
24.5-32.0 :	************* [mean = 26.8 +/- 8.0]
32.5-40.0 :	************* [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz04nVL7


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*****
16.5-24.0 :	********** [mean = 22.6 +/- 6.9]
24.5-32.0 :	**********
32.5-40.0 :	* [high = 33.0]

Astronomy in-class activity: planetary motion models, first principles versus scientific models

Astronomy 210 In-class activity 7 v.15.08.16, fall semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students find their assigned groups of three to four students, and work cooperatively on an in-class activity worksheet to analyze how the Ptolemaic and Copernican models reproduce prograde and retrograde motion of planets, and to distinguish between first principles and scientific models.

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, spring semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz04NoR3


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	******* [low = 12.0]
16.5-24.0 :	*************** [mean = 23.5 +/- 6.6]
24.5-32.0 :	***********
32.5-40.0 :	***** [high = 36.5]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz04s0U7


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	**********
16.5-24.0 :	************** [mean = 24.4 +/- 8.6]
24.5-32.0 :	************
32.5-40.0 :	********** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy midterm question: "evening stars" visible as "morning stars?"

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, spring semester 2015
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

A view of the San Luis Obispo, CA sky is shown below for June 10, 2017 with the planets Jupiter and Mars.


Discuss which of these planets will be visible at sunrise the next day. If neither planet will be visible, then explain why. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Jupiter, Mars, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Complete diagram (with the sun, Jupiter, Mars, and an observer on Earth), and discusses/demonstrates:
  1. places Jupiter somewhere in an outer orbit such that it is visible high overhead at sunrise, and Mars somewhere in an outer orbit to be low over the western horizon of the observer at sunset;
  2. at sunrise 12 hours later, Jupiter and Mars will both essentially be in their same locations in their orbits;
  3. thus both Jupiter and Mars would be below the horizon for an observer on Earth at sunrise, and thus not be visible.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Two of three points (1)-(3) correct, one is problematic/incomplete.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Problems with either diagram or discussion. One of three points (1)-(3) correct.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Diagram and discussion problematic.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Misconceptions or non-relevant concepts.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 30676
Exam code: midterm01sh3P
p: 13 students
r: 11 students
t: 14 students
v: 9 students
x: 5 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1212), with an observer lying prone on the ground:

Astronomy midterm question: habitability of Mars forming closer to the sun

Astronomy 210 Midterm 2, fall semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board[*] was asked:

Pd: If Mars had originally formed closer to the sun, would it be more habitable today?
qu: Mars closer to the sun would be warmer, but actually less habitable with less water and atmosphere.

Discuss how Mars forming closer to the sun would have less water and atmosphere today, and how you know this. Explain using the properties of planet mass, atmosphere, and geological activity.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20141101111207AAt4Wdm.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Discusses why both statements are correct about Mars located closer to the sun and being warmer would result in:
  1. less water, due to warmer temperatures evaporating all available water (or ultraviolet light breaking apart water molecules);
  2. less atmosphere, as warmer temperatures would allow atmosphere molecules to move faster and more easily escape from Mars' weak gravity.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. One of the two points (1)-(2) correct, other is problematic/incomplete.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Both points (1)-(2) problematic/incomplete, or one is correct while the other is garbled/missing.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. At least attempts to use relationships between planet location and mass with atmosphere temperature and retention.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Discussion not clearly based on relationships between planet location and mass with atmosphere temperature and retention.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70158
Exam code: midterm02s0vA
p: 10 students
r: 4 students
t: 18 students
v: 10 students
x: 3 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

Section 70160
Exam code: midterm02n4Rs
p: 7 students
r: 6 students
t: 15 students
v: 2 students
x: 3 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1123):
A sample "x" response (from student):

Astronomy quiz archive: solar system

Astronomy 210 Quiz 4, fall semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz04s4tR


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*****
16.5-24.0 :	***********
24.5-32.0 :	******************** [mean = 25.2 +/- 7.8]
32.5-40.0 :	******* [high = 40]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz04n33P


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*
16.5-24.0 :	*******
24.5-32.0 :	**************** [mean = 28.1 +/- 7.3]
32.5-40.0 :	********** [high = 40]