Astronomy midterm question: Great Square and Big Dipper just after sunset

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, spring semester 2020
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An online astronomy magazine article describes the positions of the "Great Square" (located between the constellations Andromeda and Pegasus) and the Big Dipper just after sunset:[*]:

After dark now the Great Square [between Andromeda and Pegasus] is declining low in the west, tipped onto one corner. Meanwhile the Big Dipper is creeping up in the northeast, tipped up on its handle.

Discuss a plausible date and time for someone in San Luis Obispo, CA to make this observation of the Great Square and the Big Dipper in the early evening sky. If there is no such plausible date and time, then explain why. Defend your answer by clearly explaining how you used your starwheel to do this, along with any assumptions that you may have made. (Ignore daylight saving time.)

[*] skyandtelescope.com/observing/sky-at-a-glance/.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Discussion includes the following:
  1. locates the Great Square and the Big Dipper asterisms on the starwheel, and rotates starwheel such that the Great Square is just above the west horizon, while the Bigger Dipper is near the northeast horizon; and
  2. selects a time that is dark enough to see stars in the early evening (somewhere between 7 PM and 10 PM or so); and
  3. looks up a specific date corresponding to that early evening time.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. May have selected midnight, sunrise or some other time of night not convincingly "after dark," "just after sunset" or an "early evening" time.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. May have Great Square near east horizon, and Big Dipper near the west horizon.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. At least attempts to use starwheel in a systematic manner.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Discussion not clearly based on using a starwheel in a systematic manner.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 30674
Exam code: midterm01n7in
p: 21 students
r: 5 students
t: 3 students
v: 1 student
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

Section 30676
Exam code: midterm01S7wY
p: 27 students
r: 11 students
t: 2 students
v: 3 students
x: 2 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 2020):

Astronomy quiz question: rise/set positions and paths of the sun

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, spring semester 2020
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An observer in San Luis Obispo, CA notices that there are approximately 10 hours between sunrise and sunset. On this day, the sun rose:
(A) between northeast and east.
(B) due east.
(C) between east and southeast.
(D) between southwest and west.
(E) due west.
(F) between west and northwest.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (C)

Students completed this diagram of the paths for the sun for San Luis Obispo, CA on an in-class activity ("lecture-tutorial"). However, this diagram was not provided on the quiz.


In December, the sun will rise on the horizon between east and southeast, and takes 10 hours to set on the horizon between southwest and west.

Section 30676
Exam code: quiz02s4L3
(A) : 8 students
(B) : 4 students
(C) : 30 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 0 students
(F) : 1 students

Success level: 68% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.70-->

Astronomy quiz question: rise/set positions and paths of the sun

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, spring semester 2020
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An observer in San Luis Obispo, CA notices that there are approximately 10 hours between sunrise and sunset. On this day, the sun will set:
(A) between northeast and east.
(B) due east.
(C) between east and southeast.
(D) between southwest and west.
(E) due west.
(F) between west and northwest.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (D)

Students completed this diagram of the paths for the sun for San Luis Obispo, CA on an in-class activity ("lecture-tutorial"). However, this diagram was not provided on the quiz.


In December, the sun will rise on the horizon between east and southeast, and takes 10 hours to set on the horizon between southwest and west.

Section 30674
Exam code: quiz01N3ve
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 11 students
(E) : 3 students
(F) : 9 students

Success level: 37% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.52

Astronomy quiz archive: stars/sun/seasons/moon phases

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, spring semester 2020
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz01N3ve


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 6.0]
8.5-16.0 :	****************
16.5-24.0 :	********** [mean = 21.6 +/- 8.6]
24.5-32.0 :	*************
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 40.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz01s4L3


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	****
16.5-24.0 :	***************
24.5-32.0 :	*********** [mean = 26.6 +/- 9.5]
32.5-40.0 :	************** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy midterm question: Auriga, Gemini, and Leo in early evening sky

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy magazine article describes the positions of constellations in the night sky at a certain time of year[*]:

Early in the evening, Auriga and Gemini are high in the sky, while Leo, the Lion, stands at attention about halfway up the sky.

Discuss a plausible date and time for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA to make this observation of Auriga, Gemini, and Leo in the early evening sky. If there is no such plausible date and time, then explain why. Defend your answer by clearly explaining how you used your starwheel to do this, along with any assumptions that you may have made. (Ignore daylight saving time.)

[*] "Sky Maps: December 2018-December 2019," Skywatch (2019), p. 18.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Discussion includes the following:
  1. locates the constellations Auriga and Gemini on the starwheel, and rotates starwheel such that both are at or near the zenith (Leo will then be visible somewhere between the zenith and the eastern horizon); and
  2. selects a time that is dark enough to see stars in the early evening (somewhere between 7 PM and 10 PM or so); and
  3. looks up the date (March/April) corresponding to that early evening time.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Places Auriga and Gemini at the zenith, but discusses December at 12 AM or June at 1 PM as an "early evening" time, or has March/April but does not explicitly choose a time.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Finds a plausible date and evening time (or discusses that this would be impossible) when Auriga and Gemini are low in the west horizon, with Leo high in the sky.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. At least attempts to use starwheel in a systematic manner.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Discussion not clearly based on using a starwheel in a systematic manner.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70158
Exam code: midterm01Sw3e
p: 19 students
r: 6 students
t: 9 students
v: 2 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

Section 70160
Exam code: midterm01N0dL
p: 7 students
r: 3 students
t: 11 students
v: 2 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 2120):

Astronomy quiz question: rise/set positions and paths of the sun

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, fall semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An observer in San Luis Obispo, CA watches the sun rise in June. As soon as __________ later, the sun will rise on the horizon due east.
(A) 10 hours.
(B) 12 hours.
(C) 14 hours.
(D) One month.
(E) Three months.
(F) Six months.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (E)

Students completed this diagram of the paths for the sun for San Luis Obispo, CA on an in-class activity ("lecture-tutorial"). However, this diagram was not provided on the quiz.


In June, the sun will rise on the horizon between northeast and east, and takes 14 hours to set on the horizon between west and northwest. The sun will rise on the horizon due east during March or September. So the soonest that the sun will rise on the horizon due east after June would be September, three months later.

Section 70158
Exam code: quiz01SLYc
(A) : 13 students
(B) : 25 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 10 students
(F) : 2 students

Success level: 26% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.64

Astronomy quiz archive: stars/sun/seasons/moon phases

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, fall semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz01SLYc

Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 6.0]
8.5-16.0 :	****************
16.5-24.0 :	********** [mean = 21.6 +/- 8.6]
24.5-32.0 :	*************
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz01nGh7

Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	*** [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*******
16.5-24.0 :	******* [mean = 19.0 +/- 7.6]
24.5-32.0 :	***
32.5-40.0 :	* [high = 36.0]

Astronomy midterm question: Cassiopeia and Orion visible in March 27 night sky?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, spring semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Shown at right is a comic strip[*] published on March 27, 1994. Determine a plausible time for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA to be able to see both the constellation Cassiopeia and the constellation Orion somewhere in the night sky on this date, or discuss why this comic strip is not plausible. Defend your answer by clearly explaining how you used your starwheel to do this, along with any assumptions that you may have made.

[*] Mort Walker and Chance Browne, "Hi & Lois" (March 27, 1994), King Features Syndicate.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Locates the constellations Cassiopeia and Orion on the starwheel, and rotates starwheel such that both are still visible in the sky on March 27 (from approximately 12 PM to 11 PM), and within that range selects a time that is dark enough to see stars (after approximately 7 PM), such that this would be plausible for time within the range 7 PM to 11 PM on that date.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Discusses how this is not plausible, because at 12 AM on March 27 Orion will have already set, but does not consider a slightly earlier time that night where both Cassiopeia and Orion would be visible.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Discusses some date other than March 27 to find a time when both Cassiopeia and Orion would be visible in the night sky.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. At least attempts to use starwheel in a systematic manner.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Discussion not clearly based on using a starwheel in a systematic manner.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 30676
Exam code: midterm01SFBk
p: 31 students
r: 5 students
t: 3 students
v: 4 students
x: 1 student
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1929):
Another sample "p" response (from student 4132):
Another sample "p" response (from student 7415):
A sample "r" response (from student 0815), only considering midnight on March 27 to test for (im)plausibility:
A sample "t" response (from student 7563), testing for a plausible time on another date besides March 27:

Astronomy quiz question: Cancer and Pyxis centered above southern horizon

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, spring semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

The diagram at right shows the southern horizon as seen by an observer at 12 AM in San Luis Obispo, CA. Ignore daylight saving time. What date is this?
(A) February 1.
(B) May 1.
(C) August 1.
(D) November 1.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (A)

As read off from a starwheel, Cancer and Pyxis will be centered above the southern horizon at 12 AM on February 1.

(On May 1 Cancer would be just above the west horizon at 12 PM. On August 1 Cancer and Pyxis would be centered above the horizon at 12 PM. On November 1 Cancer would be just above the east horizon at 12 AM.)

Section 30674
Exam code: quiz01n1aR
(A) : 23 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 12 students
(D) : 0 students

Success level: 66% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.23

Section 30676
Exam code: quiz01sRmB
(A) : 36 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 0 students

Success level: 79% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.50

Astronomy quiz archive: stars/sun/seasons/moon phases

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, spring semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz01n1aR


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :	*** [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	********
16.5-24.0 :	******** [mean = 23.3 +/- 9.7]
24.5-32.0 :	*******
32.5-40.0 :	********* [high = 40.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz01sRmB


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	*** [low = 5.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*********
16.5-24.0 :	************* [mean = 23.9 +/- 9.2]
24.5-32.0 :	**********
32.5-40.0 :	*********** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy midterm question: early evening Arcturus and Spica high in the sky at start of a season?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy magazine article[*] describes the positions of star and constellations in the sky at a certain time of year:

Arcturus and Spica are the two brightest stars in the constellations Boötes and Virgo. Both are now superbly placed high in the sky in the early evening at the start of this season.

Discuss at the start of which season (spring/summer/fall/winter) would be the most plausible for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA to see Arcturus and Spica high in the sky in the early evening. If there is no such plausible start of a season, then explain why. Defend your answer by clearly explaining how you used your starwheel to do this, along with any assumptions that you may have made. (Ignore daylight saving time.)

[*] "Sky Maps: December 2016-December 2017," Skywatch (2017), p. 20.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Discussion includes the following:
  1. turns starwheel such that Arcturus and Spica are "placed high in the sky" (at or near the meridian);
  2. reads off a plausible date corresponding to a time in the "early evening" (6 PM-9 PM?); and
  3. relates this date to a specific start of a season (in this case, late June, hence the start of summer).
  May argue that this sky in the early evening does not exactly coincide with the exact start of summer (or any season), and thus no start of any season is possible.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. May have interpreted "early evening" to be 5 PM-6 PM, and thus picks mid-August as the "start(?) of fall."
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Picks October or November in the early evening, but this places Arcturus and Spica low in the western sky, and not "placed high in the sky."
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. At least attempts to use starwheel in a systematic manner.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Discussion not clearly based on using a starwheel in a systematic manner.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70158
Exam code: midterm01Sa1Y
p: 19 students
r: 6 students
t: 0 students
v: 0 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

Section 70160
Exam code: midterm01n4mR
p: 17 students
r: 4 student
t: 13 students
v: 0 students
x: 2 students
y: 1 student
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1168)
Another sample "p" response (from student 4747)

Astronomy quiz question: Leo rising

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, fall semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

The diagram at right shows the northeastern horizon as seen by an observer on January 5 in San Luis Obispo, CA. Ignore daylight saving time. Assume you can see the stars in daylight. What time is this?
(A) 1:00 AM.
(B) 4:00 AM.
(C) 8:00 AM.
(D) 10:00 PM.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (D)

When Leo is placed above the northeast-east horizon on a starwheel, on the perimeter of the dial January 5 lines up with 10:00 PM.

Section 70158
Exam code: quiz01S1ri
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 4 students
(C) : 5 students
(D) : 28 students

Success level: 74% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.40

Section 70160
Exam code: quiz01nHa0
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 17 students

Success level: 89% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.20

Astronomy quiz archive: stars/sun/seasons/moon phases

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, fall semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz01S1ri


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*********
16.5-24.0 :	********
24.5-32.0 :	********** [mean = 25.5 +/- 9.6]
32.5-40.0 :	********** [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz01nHa0


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	*** [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	***
16.5-24.0 :	******* [mean = 18.6 +/- 7.9]
24.5-32.0 :	****** [high = 32.0]
32.5-40.0 :

Astronomy quiz question: Canis Minor rising?

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, spring semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

The constellation Canis Minor is just above the east horizon, as seen by an observer at 9 PM in San Luis Obispo, CA. Ignore daylight saving time. What date is this?
(A) February 15.
(B) April 15.
(C) June 20.
(D) December 20.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (D)

As read off from a starwheel, Canis Minor will be just above the east horizon at 9 PM on December 20.

(At 9 PM Canis Minor will be high up in the sky, along the meridian on February 15; at 9 PM Canis Minor will be just above the west horizon on April 15; at 9 AM Canis Minor will be just above the east horizon on June 20.)

Section 30674
Exam code: quiz01n0rK
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 21 students

Success level: 84% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.43

Section 30676
Exam code: quiz01S1Bn
(A) : 2 students
(B) : 4 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 35 students

Success level: 78% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.39

Astronomy quiz archive: stars/sun/seasons/moon phases

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, spring semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz01n0rK


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8]
8.5-16.0 :	****
16.5-24.0 :	***
24.5-32.0 :	******** [mean = 28.0 +/- 9.6]
32.5-40.0 :	********* [high = 40]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz02S1Bn


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	********* [low = 9.5]
16.5-24.0 :	************
24.5-32.0 :	*********** [mean = 26.1 +/- 9.0]
32.5-40.0 :	************** [high = 40]

Astronomy quiz question: last constellation to set

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

The diagram at right shows the positions at 11:00 PM of constellations Cygnus, Aquila, and Hercules as seen by an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA. Ignore daylight saving time. Within the next 24 hours, __________ will be the last constellation to completely set below the horizon.
(A) Cygnus.
(B) Aquila.
(C) Hercules.
(D) (There is a tie.)
(E) (None of these constellations will completely set below the horizon.)

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (A)

As read off from a starwheel, Hercules is above the south horizon as shown at 11:00 PM on September 25. Advancing time forward (while keeping the date on September 26 once the time is after midnight) indicates that Cygnus will be the last of these three constellations to set, approximately eight hours later the following day.

Section 70158
Exam code: quiz01S3aN
(A) : 24 students
(B) : 9 students
(C) : 5 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 2 students

Success level: 51% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.39

Section 70160
Exam code: quiz01nMm5
(A) : 19 students
(B) : 1 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 4 students

Success level: 61% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.44

Astronomy quiz archive: stars/sun/seasons/moon phases

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

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz01S3aN

Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8]
8.5-16.0 :	*******
16.5-24.0 :	***************
24.5-32.0 :	*************** [mean = 26.0 +/- 8.3]
32.5-40.0 :	********** [high = 40]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz01nMm5

Section 70160

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	**** [low = 12]
16.5-24.0 :	********
24.5-32.0 :	********** [mean = 27.3 +/- 8.5]
32.5-40.0 :	********** [high = 40]

Astronomy midterm question: Sagittarius as both sun-sign and rising-sign?

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[*]:

NSt: I recently went to see an astrologer in my town, and was told that that my sun-sign is Libra and my rising sign is Aquarius. Anyways, is that wrong? If you want to figure it out, I was born 12/25 at 8:30 AM.
ArZ: It looks to me like you are clearly both a Sagittarius sun-sign with a Sagittarius rising sign.

Discuss why this answer is correct for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA. Support your answer by clearly explaining how you used your starwheel to do this, along with any assumptions that you may have made. (Ignore daylight saving time. Assume you can see stars in daylight.)

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080921194418AAO10gc.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Discussion includes the following:
  1. confirms that Sagittarius is the sun-sign for a 12/25 birthday by finding that it is on the meridian at 12 PM on that day (where the sun also be located); and
  2. confirms that Sagittarius is the rising sign, as it is rising on the east horizon at 8:30 AM on 12/25.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Only has correct verification of sun-sign or rising-sun only.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. At least attempts to use starwheel in a systematic manner.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Discussion not clearly based on using a starwheel in a systematic manner.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 30674
Exam code: midterm01nghT
p: 16 students
r: 0 students
t: 6 students
v: 1 student
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

Section 30676
Exam code: midterm01sP4m
p: 35 students
r: 4 students
t: 5 students
v: 0 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1988): Another sample "p" response (from student 9449):

Astronomy quiz question: time for Pisces to set

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

The diagram at right shows the positions on March 21 of the sun and the zodiac constellations Aries and Pisces for an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA. Ignore daylight saving time. Assume you can see stars in daylight. On this day, the last part of the constellation Pisces will completely set below the horizon __________ later.
(A) three hours.
(B) six hours.
(C) nine hours.
(D) 12 hours.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (C)

As read off from a starwheel, Pisces is above the south horizon as shown at 12:00 PM on March 21. (Also since the sun is also centered on the south horizon, on the meridian, this must be 12:00 PM). Advancing time forward (while keeping the date at March 21) indicates that Pisces will completely set nine hours later that same day.

Section 30674
Exam code: quiz01nK0n
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 17 students
(D) : 1 student

Success level: 76% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.17

Section 30676
Exam code: quiz01s7vN
(A) : 2 students
(B) : 10 students
(C) : 34 students
(D) : 1 student

Success level: 73% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.54

Astronomy quiz archive: stars/sun/seasons/moon phases

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

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz01nK0n

Section 30674

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	** [low = 12]
16.5-24.0 :	*******
24.5-32.0 :	*********** [mean = 26.3 +/- 6.6]
32.5-40.0 :	** [high = 40]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz01s7vN

Section 30676

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	***** [low = 12]
16.5-24.0 :	*********
24.5-32.0 :	**************** [mean = 27.9 +/- 7.6]
32.5-40.0 :	**************** [high = 40]