Study Guide - Astronomy Final

The final exam in Astronomy will be all multiple choice (about 70 or 80 questions).  There will be no "free response" questions in which you must write out an answer.  However there will be some problems for which you will need to calculate an answer.  The questions on the final are very similar to the questions you have already seen on the homework assignments and on the unit tests.

What to Bring

☐ Pencil for bubbling in answer sheet

☐ Planisphere

☐ Blank scratch paper

What to Study

☐ Chapters 1 - 5, 16, 17   Try answering questions at end of each chapter.   

☐ Consider the bold type words in each chapter to be a vocabulary list.  Do you know what each of these words means?

☐ Be able to solve numerical problems similar to the ones you have had to solve on each test.  This means you need to review the corresponding formulas and be familiar with how each one is used and what units are appropriate.  You will be able to use a reference page that has many of the formulas and numerical values.

☐ Be able to do conversions. 

☐ Review how to use the planisphere.

☐ Try these practice problems and questions, which are harder than the final but which should jog your memory and force you to recall important concepts.

What Will be Given

☐ You will be given a star chart that shows celestial coordinates, major stars, constellations, etc.

☐ You will be given a reference page with certain values and equations.

☐ You will be given only some conversions:  distances in parsecs, light-years, and astronomical units will be given in equivalent numbers of meters.

☐ You will be given a basic scientific calculator for use on the test.