Solar System
Our solar system is part of what galactic structure?
The Milky Way
On the geographic grid, what are the lines that run parallel to the Equator called?
Parallels
What is the direct consequence of the Earth's rotation on its axis?
The alternation between day and night.
The movement of the Earth in its orbit around the Sun, which takes approximately one year, is called what?
Revolution
What is the approximate width of one of the time zones in degrees of longitude?
15 degrees
Which of the following planets is described as belonging to the group of inner, rocky planets?
Mars
Compare the Earth's equatorial radius to its polar radius.
The equatorial radius is slightly longer.
What do we call the event when the amount of daytime and nighttime is equal?
Equinox
What is a key feature of all map projections used to represent the Earth on a flat surface?
They all have some form of distortion.
If solar noon is occurring in Rome, what is the situation in a city to the east?
Solar noon has already passed.
What is a key distinction between the characteristics of the inner planets and the outer planets?
Inner planets are smaller and rocky, while outer planets are larger and gaseous.
What does latitude measure?
The angular distance of a point north or south of the Equator.
The soft, indirect light that occurs before sunrise and after sunset is known as twilight. What causes this phenomenon?
The scattering of sunlight by the Earth's atmosphere.
A map projection designed to preserve the correct shapes of continents, even if it distorts their surface area, is known as what?
Conformant projection
What was the primary practical problem with using local solar time that led to the development of time zones?
Time would change as a person traveled East or West.
When a small fragment of an asteroid is attracted by Earth's gravity and burns up upon entering the atmosphere, creating a luminous trail, what is the correct term for the object *during* this event?
Meteoroid
On a geographic grid, which lines are all equal in length, and which lines decrease in length as they approach the poles?
Meridians are equal in length, while parallels decrease in length.
What is the primary cause of Earth's seasons?
The tilt of the Earth relative to its orbit around the sun.
What is the primary advantage of representing the Earth with a globe instead of a flat map?
It accurately maintains the proportions of land and water.
The world time zone map shows that the boundaries are not perfectly straight vertical lines. What is the main reason for these irregular shapes?
The boundaries are adjusted to align with political and administrative borders.
Which group of celestial bodies is primarily located in a belt situated between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter?
Asteroids
What is the term for the geometric network of lines used to locate any point on the Earth's surface?
Geographic grid
What do we call the event when one of the Earth's poles is tilted at its maximum angle away or toward the Sun?
Solstice
Why can world maps be considered subjective rather than completely objective representations?
The choice of where to place the center reflects a cultural viewpoint.
If it's noon in Greenwich, what time is it in India?
17:30 or 5:30 pm