Astronomy Practice Exam

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Explore the Astronomy Exam. Prepare with detailed study guides, quizzes, and flashcards, each with hints and explanations. Boost your confidence and succeed on test day!

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What is an equinox?

When the sun is at its highest position
When the sun is above and below the horizon an equal amount of time
When the moon completely covers the sun
When the Earth is closest to the sun

The correct answer is: When the sun is above and below the horizon an equal amount of time

An equinox refers specifically to the time of year when day and night are approximately equal in duration all over the world. This occurs because the tilt of the Earth's axis is such that the sun is positioned directly over the equator. During an equinox, which happens twice a year (around March 21 and September 23), the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, resulting in nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness. The concepts associated with the other choices do not define an equinox. The highest position of the sun refers to solstices, not equinoxes. The moon covering the sun describes a solar eclipse, and when the Earth is closest to the sun relates to the concept of perihelion, which also does not pertain to the definition of an equinox.