How to navigate using the sun - Exam
  • 1. At what time of day is the sun at its highest point in the sky?
A) Midnight
B) Solar noon
C) Sunrise
D) Sunset
  • 2. What direction does the sun generally rise in?
A) East
B) South
C) West
D) North
  • 3. What direction does the sun generally set in?
A) South
B) North
C) East
D) West
  • 4. In the Northern Hemisphere, shadows cast by the sun move in what direction throughout the day?
A) Counter-clockwise
B) South to North
C) Clockwise
D) North to South
  • 5. In the Southern Hemisphere, shadows cast by the sun move in what direction throughout the day?
A) South to North
B) North to South
C) Clockwise
D) Counter-clockwise
  • 6. When using the sun as a compass, what additional tool is most helpful?
A) A map
B) A watch
C) A telescope
D) A sextant
  • 7. What is the primary limitation of using the sun for navigation?
A) Only works at noon
B) Only works at night
C) Requires a compass
D) Requires clear skies
  • 8. During the equinoxes, where does the sun rise?
A) Due South
B) Due East
C) Due North
D) Due West
  • 9. How does latitude affect the sun's path in the sky?
A) Only affects direction
B) Latitude doesn't affect the angle
C) Higher latitude, lower angle
D) Higher latitude, higher angle
  • 10. What is the approximate angle of the sun at solar noon at the equator?
A) 90 degrees
B) 0 degrees
C) 45 degrees
D) 180 degrees
  • 11. What is the term for the position of the sun in the sky?
A) Zenith distance
B) Azimuth
C) Solar altitude
D) Celestial latitude
  • 12. What is the term for the angular measurement of the sun's position along the horizon?
A) Zenith
B) Azimuth
C) Declination
D) Altitude
  • 13. How does Daylight Saving Time affect solar noon?
A) Shifts it later
B) Reverses it
C) Shifts it earlier
D) No effect
  • 14. What is the effect of the seasons on the sun's path?
A) Only effects temperature
B) No effect
C) Alters the arc of the sun
D) Only effects sunrise and sunset times
  • 15. When is the sun directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer?
A) Winter solstice
B) Spring equinox
C) Summer solstice
D) Autumn equinox
  • 16. When is the sun directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn?
A) Spring Equinox
B) Winter Solstice
C) Autumn Equinox
D) Summer Solstice
  • 17. What is a sundial used for?
A) Predicting weather
B) Telling time
C) Measuring latitude
D) Finding direction
  • 18. What celestial coordinate system is useful for predicting the suns position?
A) Horizontal Coordinate System
B) Equatorial Coordinate System
C) Galactic Coordinate System
D) Ecliptic Coordinate System
  • 19. Why is it dangerous to look directly at the sun?
A) Can damage your eyes
B) Can cause sunburn
C) Can damage your skin
D) It's bad luck
  • 20. What is the equation of time used for in sun navigation?
A) Finding longitude
B) Predicting sunrise
C) Finding latitude
D) Correcting sundial time
  • 21. How many degrees does the sun appear to move across the sky each hour?
A) 1 degree
B) 60 degrees
C) 30 degrees
D) 15 degrees
  • 22. What is the name of the point on the celestial sphere directly overhead?
A) Equator
B) Nadir
C) Zenith
D) Horizon
  • 23. Which of these is a challenge to solar navigation at sea?
A) Cloud cover
B) GPS availability
C) Lack of maps
D) Constant darkness
  • 24. What is declination in astronomical terms?
A) Angular distance east or west
B) Horizontal distance of the sun
C) Height of the sun above horizon
D) Angular distance north or south of equator
  • 25. What is necessary to determine longitude using the sun?
A) Latitude
B) Accurate time
C) Compass
D) Star chart
  • 26. The 'shadow tip' method relies on observing?
A) The shadow of a cloud
B) The darkest shadow cast
C) The shadow on a sundial
D) The shortest shadow of a vertical object
  • 27. What does the term 'solar day' refer to?
A) Time from sunrise to sunset
B) Time the sun is visible
C) Time it takes for the sun to orbit
D) Time between successive solar noons
  • 28. For accurate sun-based navigation, it's crucial to account for:
A) Wind speed
B) Barometric pressure
C) Number of visible stars
D) Geographic location and time of year
  • 29. What is the gnomen of a sundial?
A) The decorative markings
B) The cover of the sundial
C) The part that casts a shadow
D) The base of the sundial
  • 30. Why is it important to know the time zone when using the sun to navigate?
A) For determining the season
B) To determine the weather
C) Time zones change solar noon
D) Time zones have no effect
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