TheSkySearchers

Okay guys, here's another one. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W7VLZXZ

These questions are from the quiz at our EAS annual dinner last year. That quiz was longer; with a Survey Monkey free account, I'm limited to 10 questions. But that's okay, means I can do more quizzes

Again remember, NO ONLINE RESEARCH ALLOWED. Your own pure brain only!

Enjoy!
Raymond Howard

Thanks Ray!

I didn’t finish the first quiz but I did finish this one. The reason that I didn’t finish the first one was because of how I did on this one (27%)!

6 out 15, 40% - that's an F in my book.

The only three I knew for sure was questions 2,3 and 8. On #4, I should have went with my gut instinct. So, three right; epic fail for sure!!

Fun quizzes Raymond, keep 'em coming!

helicon wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 6:24 pm 6 out 15, 40% - that's an F in my book.

Naw, there is no F. You're above the average, man!

13% Unlucky for some!

Give us some astrophysics and cosmology Bamber!

Regards

Graeme

helicon wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 6:24 pm 6 out 15, 40% - that's an F in my book.

Here in good old South Africa the schools pass rate has been dropped down to 30%, so You are well above average!

Matched Helicon again on 40%

6 of 15. I should have gone with my first instinct on the bright star question. Dang! The others - well, unlucky guesses, I guess

Graeme1858 wrote: ↑Wed May 27, 2020 7:28 am 13% Unlucky for some!

Give us some astrophysics and cosmology Bamber!

Yeah I should, though I'm not strong in those areas. Feel free to suggest a question by PM. If I use your question in a future quiz, you'll be sure to get that one right!

Ray

Last call for quiz responses. Tomorrow night I will announce the Winner!

I missed 3.

Thanks again for participating!
We have 15 responses this time. The nine questions scored a total of 15 points.

Average score for TSS: 5.1 points = 34%. Last year at the EAS dinner, people complained that the quiz was too tough. I should try to lighten up, eh?

And now.. (drum roll please) here are your Co-Champions!
Bobharmony and KathyNS scored 8 points = 53%
Hurrah Hurrah!

Last year the EAS champ Gerald McKeegan scored 10 of these points. For him it was even tougher, because many of the questions then were write-in rather than multiple choice. He was our champ the prior year too.

===
Answers, stats, comments..

1. A “Supermoon” occurs when the full Moon closely aligns with orbital apogee. (1)
False, 9/15 correct. A Supermoon occurs at orbital perigee.

2. Name the bright star that was near the North Celestial Pole in 12,000 BC. (1)
Vega, 9/15 correct. The north pole position changes due to precession, of course.

3. In our Solar System, which is the largest natural satellite relative to the size of the planet that it orbits? (1)
Earth's Moon, 12/15 correct. Three people answered Titan. Back when Pluto was a planet, the right answer was Charon.

4. Name the astronomer who built the largest telescope of the 18th century. (1)
William Herchel, 7/15 correct. His scope had a 48 inch mirror and was 40 feet long.

5. About how far was the “one small step” that Neil Armstrong took before stepping onto the lunar surface? (2)
3.5 feet, 1/15 correct. Probably should've made this a 3-pointer. The step was farther than they expected. The struts of the lander were supposed to crumble if it landed hard, but it didn't.

6. Of the twelve Zodiac constellations, which has the smallest sky area? (2)
Capricornus, 0/15 correct. That one surprised me too, because it looks so much bigger than Aries.

7. Name the moon of the solar system best known for its dramatic “two-tone” coloration. (2)
Iapetus, 7/15 correct. The different shades make the moon appear bright on one side of its orbit around Saturn, and dim on the other. "East is least and West is best".

8. What was the first name of the character Sulu in the original Star Trek TV series? (2)
Hikaru, 12/15 correct. Must be plenty of fans here!

9. Which of the following minerals was NOT first found at Tranquility Base by the Apollo 11 astronauts? (3)
Fluorapatite, 0/15 correct. Tranquillityite was chosen by most, sounds hokey right? The name "armalcolite" is formed by the names of the three astronauts, Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins.

Thanks again all for playing! I'll post another one in a couple weeks.

Just to be clear, Kathy and I did NOT collaborate on taking the quiz - and yes, it was too tough! Or the weighting of the questions was too skewed! I missed 5, 6, and 9

Bob

Congratulations Kathy and Bob.

Impressive astronomy skills.

Regards

Graeme

Can I query the answer to the "one small step" question? As I understood it, Neil Armstrong was already off the ladder and was standing on the landing pad at the time. So it was literally a small step off the pad and onto the lunar surface.

bobharmony wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 3:28 am Just to be clear, Kathy and I did NOT collaborate on taking the quiz - and yes, it was too tough! Or the weighting of the questions was too skewed! I missed 5, 6, and 9

Are you sure? You both missed the same questions! Just kidding, I believe you

Gfamily wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 8:02 am Can I query the answer to the "one small step" question? As I understood it, Neil Armstrong was already off the ladder and was standing on the landing pad at the time. So it was literally a small step off the pad and onto the lunar surface.

Hmmm... :Think: after poking around, I believe you may be correct. Which is why you answered "6 inches", right? May have been less than that. Well, four people answered with "6 inches", and now I have to count that correct. That means, Gfamily and Star Dad are also declared Co-Champions with 8 points!

Nobody at the EAS dinner last year challenged this question. Kudos for pointing it out!

bobharmony wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 3:28 am Just to be clear, Kathy and I did NOT collaborate on taking the quiz - and yes, it was too tough! Or the weighting of the questions was too skewed! I missed 5, 6, and 9

Bob

Same questions I missed.

Congrats to Kathy and Bob. My brain is still smarting from the quiz!