Astronomy midterm question: Venus setting while Jupiter rising at night?

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

The following excerpt describes a night where Venus is setting while Jupiter is rising[*]:

Let me try to recall what has happened, the amusing and strange, and sad and terrible scenes witnessed in these last few days. On my first night at sea, I watched Venus slowly sinking into the sea, and Jupiter rising...

Discuss a plausible time (around sunset, midnight, or sunrise) that these two planets would be observed in San Luis Obispo, CA, and how you know this. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Venus, Jupiter, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] J.C., "Wrecked--A Week on Sable Island," The Canadian Methodist Magazine, vol. XV (January-June 1882), p. 73.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Complete diagram and reasoning where observer on Earth must be at sunset to watch Venus (in an inner orbit) setting while Jupiter (in an inner orbit) rises in the east.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Typically diagram and/or supporting argument is contradictory or incomplete.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Still has Venus in an inner orbit and Jupiter in an outer orbit around the sun.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Some attempt at diagram(s), but no clear indication of observer/horizon on Earth and/or placement of inner planets. Typically misplaces Venus and Jupiter in their relative inner/outer orbits around the sun, or has Venus and Jupiter orbiting Earth.
• 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: midterm01n7in
p: 14 students
r: 1 student
t: 6 students
v: 7 students
x: 1 student
y: 0 students
z: 1 student

Section 30676
Exam code: midterm01S7wY
p: 24 students
r: 0 students
t: 13 students
v: 6 students
x: 2 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 2000):
Another sample "p" response (from student 2020):
One more sample "p" response (from student 5171):

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: 12 hours between Mercury setting and Venus rising?

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

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

J.F.: Can an observer ever witness Mercury setting at the same time while Venus is rising?
rzfr: No, that is impossible. It will take about 12 hours between Mercury setting and Venus rising.

Discuss why it would take about 12 hours between Mercury setting and Venus rising 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, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090328072648AALZoVS.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations for why there would be about 12 hours between Mercury setting and Venus rising:
  1. places observer on Earth at sunset to watch Mercury (in an inner orbit) setting in the west; and
  2. places observer on Earth at sunrise to watch Venus (in an inner orbit) rising in the east.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Typically diagram is correct, but supporting argument is contradictory or incomplete. May have placed Mercury to rise at sunrise and placed Venus to set at sunset.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Still has Mercury and Venus along inner orbits around the sun.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Some attempt at diagram(s), but no clear indication of observer/horizon on Earth and/or placement of inner planets. Typically misplaces Mercury and Venus in their relative outer/inner orbits around the sun.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70158
Exam code: midterm01Sw3e
p: 20 students
r: 4 students
t: 5 students
v: 6 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 1 student

Section 70160
Exam code: midterm01N0dL
p: 6 students
r: 5 students
t: 5 students
v: 7 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1234):

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: Jupiter, not Venus low in the west at dawn

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

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

deanmajiet65: Just before dawn, I saw a planet in the sky in the west. Is it Jupiter or Venus?
Rich: It's not Venus. You were facing west, so that was Jupiter.

Discuss why this planet could not be Venus, and would have to be Jupiter 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, Venus, Jupiter, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090727104303AA5cFyR.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations for how it is possible for an observer on Earth to be able to see Jupiter, but not Venus in the west at dawn:
  1. places observer on Earth at dawn (or some time after midnight but before sunrise), with east and west horizons clearly indicated; and
  2. is able to place Jupiter (in an outer orbit) such that it is visible above the west horizon for this observer, and also indicates how Venus (in an inner orbit) can only be seen in the east horizon if it is visible at all at dawn.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Typically diagram is correct, but supporting argument is contradictory or incomplete.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. May have an observer at sunset instead of sunrise, and/or switched east/west horizons; but still has Jupiter and Venus along outer and inner orbits around the sun, respectively.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Some attempt at diagram(s), but no clear indication of observer/horizon on Earth and how placement of outer and inner planets would (or would not) be visible at dawn in the west. Typically misplaces Jupiter and Venus in their relative outer/inner orbits around the sun.
• 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: midterm01NtwT
p: 17 students
r: 3 students
t: 10 students
v: 4 students
x: 0 students
y: 1 student
z: 0 students

Section 30676
Exam code: midterm01SFBk
p: 26 students
r: 2 students
t: 9 students
v: 3 students
x: 2 students
y: 1 student
z: 1 student

A sample "p" response (from student 7563):
A sample "v" response (from student 1735), with both Venus and Jupiter as inner planets, and with east and west horizons switched for an observer on Earth, just before dawn:

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 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 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 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 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]

Astronomy midterm question: Jupiter rising a few hours after sunset?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

The following claim was made on an online discussion board[*]:

Cte: If Jupiter can be seen in the west at sunrise, then Jupiter is going to be rising a few hours after sunset.

Discuss why this answer is 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, Jupiter, and an observer on Earth. (Assume you can see planets in daylight.)

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120314164501AA0wF99.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Complete diagram and reasoning includes the following explanations:
  1. for an observer on Earth at sunrise (6 AM), Jupiter is placed in an orbit around the sun outside of Earth' orbit such that it is visible low over the west horizon;
  2. this observer at sunset (6 PM) would not be able to see Jupiter (which does not appreciably move in its orbit during this time), as it would be below the horizon, such that waiting a few hours after sunset is necessary for Jupiter to rise above the east horizon.
• 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. Problems with either diagram or discussion. May have:
  1. Jupiter placed in a geocentric orbit around Earth, but in a manner consistent with being low in the west at sunset, and would rise shortly after sunrise; or
  2. Jupiter placed in an outer orbit around the sun such that it is seen in the east at sunset, and/or is already above the horizon at sunrise.
• 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: midterm01n4AN
p: 9 students
r: 7 students
t: 7 students
v: 5 students
x: 0 students
y: 2 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 2873):
Another sample "p" response (from student 7510), with a slightly different viewpoint:

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

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, fall semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz01swE3


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	**** [low = 8]
8.5-16.0 :	*****
16.5-24.0 :	**************** [mean = 23.5 +/- 8.1]
24.5-32.0 :	**************
32.5-40.0 :	****** [high = 40]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz01n4Ps


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8]
8.5-16.0 :	*********
16.5-24.0 :	*********** [mean = 22.9 +/- 8.3]
24.5-32.0 :	*********
32.5-40.0 :	*** [high = 40]

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

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, spring semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz01n0iR


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8]
8.5-16.0 :	*****
16.5-24.0 :	*****
24.5-32.0 :	*** [mean = 25.5 +/- 10.5]
32.5-40.0 :	******* [high = 40]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz01sC4r


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	** [low = 8]
8.5-16.0 :	*****
16.5-24.0 :	*********************
24.5-32.0 :	************* [mean = 24.9 +/- 7.8]
32.5-40.0 :	************ [high = 40]

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

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

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz01sC4r


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	****** [low = 9]
16.5-24.0 :	*******
24.5-32.0 :	************ [mean = 29.0 +/- 9.2]
32.5-40.0 :	******************** [high = 40]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz01n35t


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	*** [low = 0]
8.5-16.0 :	****
16.5-24.0 :	************ [mean = 22.9 +/- 9.8]
24.5-32.0 :	******
32.5-40.0 :	****** [high = 40]