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