Constellations — Homi Bhabha Exam Physics MCQs with Solutions
Free Homi Bhabha Exam Physics Constellations MCQs with step-by-step solutions (6 questions). Part of Observing Space / Astronomy. Practise online on Prepizo — no login needed.
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Questions with solutions
Q1 — Constellations · medium · theory
A constellation is:
A. a group of galaxies
B. a single very bright star
C. a cluster of planets
D. a group of stars that appears to form a recognisable pattern in the sky ✓ Correct
Solution: A constellation is a recognisable pattern formed by stars as seen from Earth.
Q2 — Constellations · medium · theory
The constellation Ursa Major is also known in India as:
A. Orion
B. Sirius
C. Saptarshi ✓ Correct
D. Mrig
Solution: Ursa Major (the Great Bear / Big Dipper) is called Saptarshi in India.
Q3 — Constellations · hard · theory
The Pole Star (Dhruva Tara) appears almost stationary in the sky because it lies:
A. nearly above the axis of rotation of the Earth ✓ Correct
B. on the equator
C. at the centre of the solar system
D. very close to the Earth
Solution: The Pole Star is nearly in line with the Earth's rotational axis, so it barely appears to move.
Q4 — Constellations · hard · theory
The two "pointer stars" of Ursa Major are useful because they:
A. point towards the Pole Star ✓ Correct
B. point towards the Sun
C. point towards the Moon
D. always point east
Solution: A line through the two end stars of the Big Dipper points to the Pole Star, aiding navigation.
Q5 — Constellations · medium · theory
Constellations appear to move slowly across the night sky mainly because of:
A. the expansion of space
B. the Moon's gravity
C. the Earth's rotation ✓ Correct
D. the stars orbiting the Earth
Solution: The apparent motion of constellations is due to the Earth spinning on its axis.
Q6 — Constellations · hard · theory
The stars that make up a constellation are:
A. all at the same distance from Earth
B. all part of the solar system
C. physically bound close together
D. usually at very different distances and not physically close to one another ✓ Correct
Solution: Stars in a constellation merely appear together from Earth; they are actually at widely different distances.