Srilankan Olympiad on

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Problems






INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS, SRI LANKA
jointly with
ARTHUR C. CLARKE INSTITUTE FOR MODERN TECHNOLOGIES
THE 1
ST
NATIONAL OLYMPIAD ON ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS - 2007
D!"#tion $ On% Ho!"&
Answer all the questions and submit this paper to the supervisor at the end of the examination.
Thi' (#(%" )on'i't' o* +, -!%'tion' in two (#"t'A ./& ("int%0 in Fo!" 1,& (#2%'.
El%)t"oni) )#l)!l#to"' #"% #llow%0.
PART A
(Answers to Part A sho!" #e $a"e #% &'r&!'n( or n"er!'n'n( the &orre&t answer on the )est'on *a*er+
3. Sol#" #t4o'(h%"% )#n 5% 0i6i0%0 into th"%% 4#jo" (#"t' 5#'%0 on t%4(%"#t!"%. Th%y #"%
(hoto'(h%"%, )h"o4o'(h%"% #n0 )o"on#. Th% 4o't '!it#5l% #n'w%" *o" th% #6%"#2% t%4(%"#t!"%
o* th% )o"on# i'
#& 7111 K 5& 31111 K )& #5o6% 311111 K 0& 8911 K
+. Th% 'i0%"%#l 0#y i' 8 4in!t%' #n0 97 '%)on0' l%'' th#n # 'ol#" 0#y. Thi' ti4% 0i**%"%n)% i' 0!% to
#& E#"th:' "ot#tion
5& S!n:' "ot#tion
)& S!n:' 4otion #"o!n0 th% 2#l#)ti) )%nt%"
0& E#"th:' "%6ol!tion #"o!n0 th% S!n
8. Th% Pol#"i' will not #lw#y' 5% th% No"th 't#" 0!% to
#& Th% 'i0%"%#l 0#y 5%in2 'ho"t%" th#n th% 'ol#" 0#y
5& D!% to th% ("%)%''ion o* th% E#"th:' #;i'.
)& Th% E#"th<' (%"io0 5%in2 'li2htly lon2%" th#n 879 0#y'.
0& Th% Sol#" win0 5lowin2 th% E#"th #w#y *"o4 th% '!n.
,. An o5'%"6%" 't#n0in2 81
o
no"th *"o4 %-!#to" o5'%"6%' # 't#" #t =%nith "i2ht #5o6% th% h%#0&. I*
th% o5'%"6%" 4o6%' #lon2 th% '#4% lon2it!0%, >1
o
to th% 'o!th *"o4 wh%"% h% i', wh#t )o!l0 5%
th% n%w #ltit!0% o* th% 't#"?
#& 1
o
5& 81
o
)& 71
o
0& >1
o

1/4
F!ll N#4% o* th% C#n0i0#t%$
D#t% o* /i"th$
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Si2n#t!"% o* th% C#n0i0#t% $
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9. R%0 'hi*t o* th% '(%)t"#l lin%' 'how th% 0i't#n)% 2#l#;i%' #"% 4o6in2 #w#y *"o4 !'. Th%
"%)%0in2 '(%%0 i' 2i6%n 5y
C V |
.
|

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| A
=

. A '(%)t"!4 o* )%"t#in 2#l#;y i' o5'%"6%0 in th% Ho

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o
A. I* th% l#5o"#to"y w#6%l%n2th
& o* Ho i' 7978
o
A #n0 th% '(%%0 o* li2ht C& i' 811,111 B4 '
C3
*in0 th% "%)%0in2 '(%%0 o*
th% 2#l#;y.
#& 89 B4 '
C3
5& 91 B4 '
C3
)& 79 B4 '
C3
0& D9 B4 '
C3
7. Th% 0i**%"%nt 5#n0' o* %l%)t"o4#2n%ti) "#0i#tion )on'i't o* littl% (#)B%t' o* %n%"2y, )#ll%0
(hoton' t"#6%lin2 th"o!2h '(#)%. Th% #4o!nt o* %n%"2y thi' (#)B%t (o''%'' i' 0i"%)tly
("o(o"tion#t% to th%i" *"%-!%n)y. Fin0 %n%"2y o* '!)h %l%)t"o4#2n%ti) w#6% whi)h h#' th%
w#6%l%n2th o* 9111A 9;31
CD
4&. Th% '(%%0 o* li2ht 8;31
E
4 '
C3
#n0 Pl#nB )on't#nt
7.7+9;31
C8,
A ' .
#& 8>.D9;31
8E
A 5& 8>.D9;31
C+1
A )& 8>.D9;31
C+1
A ' 0& 81.8,;31
81
A '
D. Th% hy0"o2%n in int%"'t%ll#" 4%0i!4 i' 2%n%"#lly -!it% )ol0 i* it i' not in th% 6i)inity o* w#"4
't#"'& #n0 *o!n0 in it' #to4i) o" n%!t"#l 2"o!n0 't#t%. S!)h )lo!0' #"% )#ll%0 HI "%2ion'. Col0
int%"'t%ll#" hy0"o2%n %4it' "#0i#tion in "#0io "%2ion #t th% w#6%l%n2th o*
#& +7 )4 5& +3 )4 )& 9>31 A
1
0& 3111 n4
E. Th% t%"4 FHot A!(it%"'G i' # )o44only !'%0 wo"0 #4on2 th% (l#n%t#"y ')i%nti't' in th% wo"l0.
Thi' %;(l#in'
#& Th% A!(it%" *o"4%0 4!)h )lo'%0 to th% S!n *%w 5illion' y%#"' #2o.
5& Hol)#ni) %"!(tion' h%#t !( th% A!(it%":' '!"*#)%.
)& Di')o6%"%0 'o4% A!(it%" 'i=% %;t"#C'ol#" (l#n%t' #"% )lo'%" to th% (#"%nt 't#" th#n th%
0i't#n)% 5%tw%%n th% S!n #n0 A!(it%".
0& Th% A!(it%" 5%)o4%' # 't#" in th% *!t!"%.

>. St#"' #"% 5o"n, %6ol6% #n0 0i%. Th% ("i4#"y 4#'' o* th% 't#" 0%)i0%' th% w#y it 0%'t"oy'. A 't#"
whi)h i' )o4(#"#5l% to th% S!n:' 4#'' 0%'t"oy' #'
#& S!(%"no6#% 5& No6#% )& Pl#n%t#"y n%5!l#% 0& IC"#y 5!"'t
31. A, /, #n0 C #"% th"%% 't#"' with t%4(%"#t!"%' o* 7111K, +,111K, #n0 8911K, "%'(%)ti6%ly.
Jh#t i' th% (o''i5l% )olo!" '%-!%n)% o* tho'% 't#"' A, / #n0 C, "%'(%)ti6%ly.
#& Y%llowi'h, /l!i'h, R%00i'h 5& R%00i'h, /l!i'h, Y%llowi'h
)& /l!i'h, Y%llowi'h, R%00i'h 0& Y%llowi'h, R%00i'h, /l!i'h
33. Th% 5"i2ht%'t 't#" o* th% S)o"(ion )on't%ll#tion i'
#& Si"i!' 5& R%2!l!' )& Ant#"%' 0& Pol#"i'
3+. Th%"% # two 't#"' A #n0 / with #((#"%nt 4#2nit!0%' 3 #n0 8, "%'(%)ti6%ly. Th% )o""%)t
%;("%''ion #5o!t th%i" #((#"%nt 5"i2htn%'' i'
#&. St#" A i' 7 ti4%' 5"i2ht%" th#n th% 't#" /.
5&. St#" A i' 7 ti4%' *#int%" th#n th% 't#" /.
)&. St#" A i' 7.831 ti4%' 5"i2ht%" th#n th% 't#" /.
0&. St#" A i' +.93+ ti4%' 5"i2ht%" th#n th% 't#" /.
38. Th% w%i2ht o* # 4#n on E#"th:' '!"*#)% i' 71 B2. I* h% 2o%' to th% (l#n%t M#"', hi' w%i2ht #t th%
M#"ti#n '!"*#)% wo!l0 5%
#& +1 B2 5& 31 B2 )& 71 B2 0& 3+1 B2
2/4
3,. Th% %')#(% 6%lo)ity H& o* #n o5j%)t #t it' '!"*#)%& 0%(%n0' on it' 4#'' M& #n0 "#0i!' R&, #n0
i' 2i6%n 5y H K \+GM@R&. H%"%, !ni6%"'#l 2"#6it#tion#l )on't#nt G K 7.7D ; 31
C33
4
8
B2
C3
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S!((o'% # 't#" with # %')#(% 6%lo)ity o* 3E11 B4 '
C3
'!5'%-!%ntly 5%)o4%' # n%!t"on 't#"
h#6in2 # "#0i!' 31
9
ti4%' '4#ll%" th#n th% o"i2in#l 't#", th% %')#(% 6%lo)ity o* th% n%!t"on 't#"
wo!l0 5%
#& +11,111 B4 '
C3
5& 3E1,111 B4 '
C3
)& 3E1,111 4 '
C3
0& 97>+31 B4 '
C3
39. An o5'%"6%" who i' on th% 39
1
no"th%"n l#tit!0% o5'%"6%0 # 't#" in th% U"'# Mino" )on't%ll#tion
#t >.11 (.4. lo)#l ti4%. Th% 't#" h#' +9
1
#n2!l#" '%(#"#tion' with 5otto4 't#" o* th% (oint%" 't#"'
o* th% U"'# M#jo" )on't%ll#tion. Jh#t wo!l0 5% th% #ltit!0% o* th% o5'%"6%0 't#" #*t%" # ti4%
l#('% o* 8 ho!"'.
#& 8D.9
1
5& 3+
1
)& +9
1
0& 39
1
37. A )o4%t o"5itin2 #"o!n0 th% S!n h#' # (%"ih%lion 0i't#n)% o* +.1 A.U. #n0 #n #(h%lion 0i't#n)%
o* 7.1 A.U. E))%nt"i)ity %& o* it' %lli(ti)#l o"5it i'
#& 1., 5& 1.9 )& 1.D 0& 3.1.
3D. U'in2 th% K%(l%":' thi"0 l#w )o4(!t% th% (%"io0 o* #n #'t%"oi0 o"5itin2 #"o!n0 th% S!n h#6in2
# '%4iC4#jo" #;i' o* ,.1 AU #'t"ono4i)#l Unit'&. Th% #n'w%" in E#"th y%#"' i'
#& 8 5& , )& E 0& D7
3E. I* th% o"5it#l '(%%0 o* %#"th #' 81 B4@' #n0 0i't#n)% 5%tw%%n th% E#"th #n0 th% S!n #' 3.9 ; 31
33
4, th% 4#'' o* th% S!n wo!l0 5% U'%*!l in*o"4#tion$ Uni6%"'#l 2"#6it#tion#l )on't#nt
G K 7.7D ; 31
C33
4
8
B2
C3
'
C+
&.
#& 3.> ; 31
81
B2, 5& +.1 ; 31
81
B2, )& +.3 ; 31
81
B2, 0& Non o* th% #5o6% #n'w%"' #"% )o""%)t.
3>. I* th% *o)#l l%n2th o* th% o5j%)ti6% o* # t%l%')o(% i' 3 4 #n0 th% *o)#l l%n2th o* it' %y% (i%)% i'
31 44, th% 4#2ni*i)#tion o* th% t%l%')o(% i'
#& 31 5& 311 )& +11 0& 3111.
+1. A 't#" 2i6%' # (#"#ll#; o* 1.+>G wh%n o5'%"6%0 *"o4 th% %#"th with # ti4% 2#( o* 7 4onth'. Th%
0i't#n)% to th#t 't#" in li2ht y%#"' i'
#& 8.+7 5& 9.7+ )& 33.+, 0& ++.,E.
PART ,
(P!ease *ro-'"e %or answers to th's *art 'n the s*a&e *ro-'"e" 'n *a(e .+
+3. D%')"i5% th% Titi!' /o0% l#w #n0 %'ti4#t% th% 0i't#n)% to (l#n%t S#t!"n *"o4 th% S!n in
A't"ono4i)#l Unit' AU&.
++. D"#w # 'B%t)h o* th% )%l%'ti#l '(h%"% #n0 l#5%l i& %)li(ti), ii& )%l%'ti#l %-!#to", iii& H%"n#l #n0
A!t!4n#l %-!ino;%'. On th% '#4% 0i#2"#4 o" # '%(#"#t% 0i#2"#4 in0i)#t% th% %-!#to"i#l
)oo"0in#t% 'y't%4$ Ri2ht A')%n'ion #n0 D%)lin#tion.
+8. D"#w th% HCR 0i#2"#4 #n0 in0i)#t% th% "%2ion' wh%"% yo! )o!l0 *in0 4#in '%-!%n)% 't#"', "%0
2i#nt', 5l!% 2i#nt', whit% 0w#"*' #n0 "%0 0w#"*'.
+,. D"#w # 'B%t)h o* S#t!"n #n0 l#5%l th% 4#in 5%lt' #n0 =on%' o* th% S#t!"ni#n 'o!th%"n
h%4i'(h%"%, it' "in2 'y't%4 #n0 0i6i'ion' .
LLLL
3/4
P!ease se the /o!!ow'n( s*a&e to *ro-'"e answers to the )est'ons 21 to 2.0
+3& ++&
+8& +,&
4/4
Name of the candidate :





~ c: .cc : c:~c:~
INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS, SRI LANKA

c:cc: : : c:cc: .cc : ~_ .: ?c ~~:: ccc:~-2003

THE 2
ND
NATIONAL OLYMPIAD ON ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS - 2008

(c:~ ~:~ ! ::: ?0)(Duration : 1 hour and 30 minutes)

~~c ~~: .cc ~~: ~c.~c ~_cc: ~~~: ::~ c~::.~ :: ~::~c cc: .c :c .::
Answer all the questions and submit this paper to the supervisor at the end of the examination.

.cc ~~: ~c~ ~~: A : B .c:~ .cc: ~c ~~: 25 c : ~ cc ~ 5 c: ~cc~
This paper consists of 25 questions in two parts(A & B) printed in Five (05) pages.

:c ~:c :c c :c/Electronic calculators are allowed.

(~.~:~:c cc / Useful information : c:.:c.~ .:~ / Speed of light c = 3 x 10
5
km/s,
~cc :c:c:cc~: :~c~ / Universal gravitational constant G = 6.67 x 10
-11
m
3
kg
-1
s
-2
).
~ ~ccc:.~ :: cc.:c :~ ~: c:c ~~ :~ : ~_cc: ~~~::.


A .c:~ / PART A

A .c:~ c: ~~: .:c ~_cc .c:c: ccc c:c .: ~ : cc c:c ~cc::
(Answers to Part A should be made by circling or underlining the correct answer on the question paper)


1. cc:c c.c:ccc c~c~:c~ c: 0.04 .~ c:: . :c cc: c:c c ~:.~c : :.~
For a star, the trigonometric parallax was measured to be 0.04 arc seconds. What is the distance to the star in parsec?

a) 20 pc b) 25 pc c) 30 pc d) 35 pc

2. ~ ~~c : ~:.: c cc-c: c ~_ . : :c ~cc 0.?31 ~ 5.20? .. ~~c : ~:.:
~cc c::cc~ cc: !!.3c2 :c, : ~:.: ~cc c::cc~ c~: :.~
If the semi-major axes of the orbits of Mercury and Jupiter are 0.387 and 5.203 astronomical units, respectively and
Jupiters orbital period is 11.862 years, the orbital period of Mercury in years would be

a) 2.106 b) 0.937 c) 0.402 d) 0.241

3. ~.^.~ ~ ~cc: : ~: :c~ cc: ~cc: : ~: ~c~~: ~cc c: ~cc .:c c~c 4c :c, ~c~~:
~ ~cc: : ~: ccc c :c ~cc : :.~ [~.^~ : ~c~~: ccc c :c ~cc ! c.)
If the maximum elongation of Venus from the sun is 46
o
, the Sun Venus distance in astronomical units would be (the
distance between the Sun and the Earth is 1 AU)

a) 0.71 b) 0.72 c) 0.73 d) 0.93

4. :~c~ [H
0
), 70 km/s/Mpc .~ ~:c ~ .~ ~~ c:~:: ~.~: cc: ~:
Using the value for Hubble's constant H
0
as 70 km/s/Mpc, the age of the universe can be computed approximately as (in
billion years)

a) 12.1 b) 13.6 c) 14.0 d) 15.0
Full Name of the Candidate:
Date of Birth:
Examination Centre: Colombo/Peradeniya/Ruhuna/ Jaffna (underline) Index Number:
IColombo/Peradeniya/Kelaniya/Ruhuna/Batticaloa?Jaffna
Signature of the Candidate :
Please furnish the following information before the commencement of the examination
1/5
5. ~c ~c cc: ccc ~cc cc: c:~:c ~c:~.~ ::c c: ccc ~c c~.~ :c.. .cc
c: c.c ~c ~c cc:. ~:.~ ccc: c: ~ ~:.~ c.~:~ .c: c: c:cc: ::c ~ c
c:cc~ :.~
The four spectra shown in the figures are taken in the same wavelength range from four stars which have different type
of spectral classes. According to the maximum relative flux and the line absorptions in the given wavelength range,
identify the spectral classes of the four spectra.







a) 1- O type, 2- A type, 3- M type, 4- G type
b) 1- A type, 2- O type, 3- M type, 4- G type
c) 1- G type, 2- O type, 3- A type, 4- M type
d) 1- M type, 2- A type, 3- O type, 4- G type








6. ~.^.~ ~: :cc~c ~c c :~:.: ~c ~:ccc ~cc .~.::.:
The reason that we see the same side of the moon always is

a) 5 degrees angle between the planes of the moon and earth.
(:~:.: c~c ~.^.~ c~c ccc cc 5 c c::c~ :~:)
b) Moon does not rotate at all . (:~: c~ .::: :~:)
c) Moons rotational speed is equal to the moons speed of revolution.
(:~:.: c~ c:~ ~ ~cc c:~ ~c:: :~:)
d) Tidal effect of the moon on the earth. (:~:.:: ~.^~ cc c:c: c :~:)

7. ~.^.~ ~ :c~ cc: ~c~~: .: c: ~ c.~:~ c:~c. :cc ?:c c.~ ~cc: :.:
c: ~ .c:c c:~c .. ~c~~: .:: :.: c : ~ c.~~c c: ~c c .c :.:
The solar spectrum observes in ground based telescope is an absorption spectrum. The spectrum of any black body is
usually an emission spectrum. The reason/s for the solar spectrum becomes an absorption is

a) The gases around the solar atmosphere [~c~~: : c:c :~ .::.~ :~:)
b) The Earths atmosphere [ ~.^ :~ .::~)
c) The convection current in the solar convection zone (~c~~: .: ~: c:~.~ c:c: ~: :c:)
d) Both (a) and (b) [a ~ b .cc)

8. c~:cc:~ c:~~c [Ca) ~c.~~:::c cc: c:~:c~ ?2?.? nm .. c::c~c: :.: .cc c:~~c
.c: :c~ c ~c cc: c:~:c~ 40!.3 nm .~ :c.. c::c~ c:c c c:~:: ~.~: .:
:.: [~.~:~:c cc H
0
~70 km/s/Mpc, ccc ~^:~:~ ~ cc.c .:~ ccc c: .: ~c:c:~
~.~:: cc:::.)
When measured in a laboratory on Earth, ionized Ca is found to have a wavelength of 393.3 nm. When you observe the
spectrum of a galaxy you find this spectral line at 401.8nm. What is the approximate distance of the galaxy? (Useful
information: H
0
= 70 km/s/Mpc, use low speed relationship between recessional speed(v) and red shift (z) )

a) 93 Mpc b) 60 Mpc c) 120 Mpc d) 205 Kpc




2/5
9. ~~c.: .~ ~:c~ c:~:: ~.~: -4 ~c .. ~.~ c:~ .~.:: ~c.~: c:c cc:. .~
:c~ c :c, ~~c .cc cc: :: .c:~c : ~c ~ccc
Jupiter has a magnitude of about -4. Roughly, how many times brighter is the Jupiter than the dimmest stars visible to
the naked eye, with magnitude of + 6 ?

a) 100 b) 1000 c) 10000 d) 10
5


10. c::c~c c:c c:cc:c : RR ~.c cc:c c:cc~ .~ ~ ~:~ .: cc~. ~ ~ .~
~:c~ .c:~c ~c:~c: .:~ ..
A RR Lyrae variable in a galaxy periodically doubles its light out put. By how much does its apparent magnitude
change?
a) 0.50 b) 0.75 c) 4.00 d) Does not change [.:~ .::.).

11. c:cc:: .~c: .~:: :c~ cc: :.. ~c :. :c.:.: B ~ V .~c: :c: cc .~:~::c
cc: ccc ~:c c:~:~. .cc cc: c.c: ~^c.~:c c:~~ c c:cc cc: cc: ccc
The stars are observed through various filters. The following table shows 4 stars and their magnitudes observed through
B and V filters. Of those four stars which one will evolve first?

Star B V
E 0.56 0.34
F 0.78 0.58
G 0.29 0.89
H 0.45 0.54

a) E b) F c) G d) H

12. .c ~c c.:.c :: c !m ~ ~ ~.:.c :: c 20 mm :c, .c.~ ~::~ :.~
If the focal length of the objective of a telescope is 1 m and the focal length of its eye piece is 20 mm, the
magnification of the telescope is
a) 10 b) 50 c) 100 d) 200.

13. ~ccc: ~~.:~c :c c:c.~ :~: ~: :cc.~c.: c:.~ c~c 0.42 c .c:~c c:~:c:~ cc~. ~c
c:c .~ :cc~: ~ :~: ccc c :.~ [:~:.: ~cc~ ?41c km).
One night during a full Moon, the Moon subtends an angle of 0.49 degree to an observer. The observers distance to
the Moon on that night is (the diameter of the moon is 3476 km)

a) 432,947 km b) 203,223 km c) 406,446 km d) 384,400 km

14. c: : :c: :::: c:cc c.ccc c: cc:c ~: c :c ~cc ?! : ccc c: ::c ~:
c :c ~cc ! .. c.cc. c.~ c:cc c:~ ~.^ c~ :
A Sun-orbiting periodic comet is the farthest at 31 A.U. and the closest at 1 A.U. The orbital period of this comet (in
earth years) is

a) 8 b) 16 c) 64 d) 76

15. cc~ ~c ~ 5000 K : cc:c ~cc ~c c~ ~cc: :.: cc: cc: c:~:c.~ [cc: c.~
~cc .~ ~c: :.: :~c~ :c: cc::, : :~c~ = 2.898 x 10
-3
m K)
At what wavelength does a star with the surface temperature of 5000 K radiate most intensely. (Consider the star as a
blackbody and use the Wiens law, Wien constant = 2.898 x 10
-3
m K)

a) 0.58 m b) 0.75 m c) 0.49 m d) 0.63 m

16. :~: cc~ c:c c::~c ~cc~ 30 km .. c~.: c:.~ ccc:. ~cc~ 5 mm .~ ~c ~:~
ccc: .cc c::~ ~~ c:~: :::c :c:~ c::.
A crater on the surface of the Moon has a diameter of 80 km. Is it possible to resolve this crater with naked eyes,
assuming the eye pupil aperture is 5 mm ?

a) Yes [:c~) b) No[.:::c~) c) Depend on country of observation[:c:~ cc: c cc cc:~ .)
d) Data provided is insufficient to answer [~_cc: ~:~~c ccc cc ~c::c .::..)

3/5
17. ~.^~ cc~ c0 kg cc c:c c:~c :.~ :c, cc~ ?.: c :.~
The weight of a man on Earths surface is 60 kg. If he goes to the moon, his weight at the lunar surface would be
a) 10 kg b) 20 kg c) 60 kg d) 120 kg

18. ~c~~:.: ~c:~ 1.9891 x 10
30
kg , ~.^.~ ~ ~c~~: c:c c 1.5 x 10
11
m :c ~.^~ cc c.~
:c: :::: .:~ :.~ [.c:c:c c~c ~c::)
If the mass of the Sun is 1.9891 x 10
30
kg, and the distance between the Earth and the Sun is 1.5 x 10
11
m, the orbital
velocity of the earth would be (assume a circular orbit)
a) 28 km/s b) 30 km/s c) 32 km/s
d) None of the above answers are correct. [c ~_cc: c~c .::.).

19. ~c~~:.: ~: 3.9 X 10
26
J/s : ccc ~ c:~:: ~.~: ~cc: 10
57
~c c:c. ~c~~:.: ~cc ~: c::
:cc : ~cc ~c:~ 10
-19
J/atom .~ ~c: ~ ~c~c ~cc: ~c:~ :c c :c: c:~ .~:~::.
The luminosity of the Sun is 3.9 X 10
26
J/s and Sun contains roughly 10
57
atoms. The reactions in the Sun involved in
burning release roughly 10
-19
J/atom. What is the length of time required to consume the entire Sun by burning?

a) 3.9 trillion years. b) 2.6 x10
12
years. c) 3.9x10
11
seconds d) 0.26x10
12
seconds

20. ~c~~: c~^~ c::c.~ c.~ ~ d = 8500 pc c: ~: c:c:c ~ ~ c.~ .:~ v~220 km/s,
:c, c.~ c:c^ c:~ P= 2d/v ~ccc~ :c:cc cc: c~: : :::~ cc::.
If the Sun is at a distance (d )of 8500 pc from the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy and the Suns orbital speed ( v ) is
220 km/s, using the equation for period P= 2d/v, calculate the orbital period of the sun about the centre of the Galaxy.
The answer is (in million years)

a) 225 b) 230 c) 400 d) 850

___________________________________________________________________________________________

B .c:~ / PART B
cc.cc .c: .~:::c: ~c ~~: ~_cc: ~~~::.
~c cc.cc ~ _cc: ~c~cc : ?.: :c ~ :: cc~ ~: cc::.
(Please provide your answers to this part using additional sheets.
Write your name and index number on top of each and every additional sheet)


21. c~ 200c c.::~c c~ 24 : c:cc ~:cc c:cc: : ~c.c:~ c: : ~ccc cc:c ~c ~c ~: ~c:
~: .: :c:~: c::. [c) :.:c~c, [c:) :c: : .:c~c, [c:) c:: .~c: c: ~c:.
Based on the International Astronomical Union resolution passed on 24
th
August 2006 give the definitions of (a) a
planet, (b) a dwarf planet, and (c) Small Solar-System Bodies.

22. CCD c:cc:c c:.:c ~. ~c~ .c:~c ~c:~ 9x10
-6
m .. .cc CCD c:cc: 45 cm ~cc~c ~
F cc~ f/!2 : c:~.: : c:.~ .c~c ~c ~c c:cc:. ~c~ ~cc cc c~ c: : c:~:c:~ cc:
.c:~ c:[c:ccc~c) : .~:~::.
A CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera with pixel dimensions 9x10
-6
m is attached to the Cassegrain focus of the
45cm, f/12 telescope. Find the angle subtended by a pixel in the sky in units of arcseconds.

23. c~ ~c~~: ~:: c:cc.~ ~: cc ~c:.~: !0% ~ c.~ :~c ~cc~: c: : :~ cc~. :~c
~cc ~:. ~c:.~: 0.1% ~cc~ ~ccc:~ .. cc~c ~cc ~c~~:.:: ~: cc~
L= 3.845x10
26
J .. ~c~~:.: ~c:~ M= 1.9891x10
30
Kg .. c~:~~:.: ~c c~ : ~c:~ ccc
~~ ~ccc~c : E=mc
2
:c: cc ~c~~: ~:: ccc.~ :c cc: c:~ cc ~: : :::~
cc::.
Our sun in the Main Sequence(MS) burns 10% of its total mass in the core. In the nuclear fusion reaction 0.7% of mass
is converted in to energy. The total energy output of the Sun in one second is L= 3.845x10
26
J. The mass of the Sun
M= 1.9891x10
30
Kg.
Using the Einsteins famous equation for energy and mass, E=mc
2
find the life time of the Sun in the main sequence in
billions of years.



4/5

24. H-R ~: c: ~ ~c~~: :: cc:c c:cc :c: c:cc cc:. c~::~ c: c:~~ : cc:~ c:
c::.
Draw the Hertzsprung-Russel (H-R) diagram and indicate the track of a sun like star on the same diagram during its
evolutionary history, i.e. birth from an interstellar cloud of gas and dust to its final demise.


25. cc:c ccc:~ [I) ~c cc: c:c .c c:~ [d
2
) ~c.:c ~c::~:c ..

2
1
d
I

~:c ?:c cc:c ~c~~: .: ~ ~:.~c !0 c: c: .~.:: ~:c~ ~c cc:. :c.~ ~:c~ [M)
.~ cc^ c: :.. cc:c ~c:~ ~c:~.~ :c.~ ~:c~ [M
v
) ~ ~c:~ ~c:~.~ .~ ~:c~[m
v
) ~
ccc:~ [I)~c ~c:~ c: : .: :..
) ( log ) 10 ( log 5 . 2 d I pc I
v
m
v
M
[c) c ~ccc .c ~.~:: cc::c:
5 log 5 d
v
m
v
M
.~:::.
[c:) ~c:: .~ ~:c~ [m
v
) : cc:c ~c:~~:.: ~ ~:.~c c? [d) cc: c: ~ :c.~ ~:c~
[M
v
) .~~::.

The intensity (I) of a star is inversely proportional to the square of the distance (d
2
) of the star.

2
1
d
I

The magnitudes which the stars would have if they were at distance of 10 parsec are called the absolute magnitudes
( M ). The absolute visual magnitude (
V
M ), apparent visual magnitude (
v
m ) and the intensity ( I ) are related as
follows.
) ( log ) 10 ( log 5 . 2 d I pc I
v
m
v
M
a) Using above two relations show that
5 log 5 d
v
m
v
M
b) For a star with 0 . 3
v
m , the distance (d) was measured to be 63 pc. Find the absolute magnitude (
V
M ) of the star.


*****
5/5





~ c: .cc : c:~c:~
INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS, SRI LANKA

c:cc: : : c:cc: .cc : ~_ .c: ?c ~~:: ccc:~-2002

THE 3
RD
NATIONAL OLYMPIAD ON ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS - 2009

(c:~ ~:~ ! ::: ?0)(Duration : 1 hour and 30 minutes)


.cc ~~: ~c~ ~~: A : B .c:~ .cc: ~c ~~: 25 c : ~ cc ~ 5 c: ~c:c~
This paper consists of 25 questions in two parts (A & B) printed in Five (05) pages.

::~ ccc ~: ~ B .c:~ ~_cc: ~:~~c ~: cc: c:c ~ c::~ :c: cc::.
Use the attached blank sheets for your calculations and also to answer the questions in Part-B.
~~c ~~: .cc ~~: ~c.~c ~_cc: ~~~: ~~ c::~ ::~ c~::.~ :: ~::~c cc: .c :c .::
Answer all the questions in this paper and submit all sheets to the supervisor at the end of the examination.

:c ~:c :c c :c/Electronic calculators are allowed.

(~.~:~:c cc / Useful information : c:.:c.~ .:~ / Speed of light c = 3 x 10
5
km/s,
~cc :c:c:cc~: :~c~ / Universal gravitational constant G = 6.67 x 10
-11
m
3
kg
-1
s
-2
).
~ ~ccc:.~ :: cc.:c :~ ~: c:c ~~ :~ : ~_cc: ~~~::.


A .c:~ / PART A

A .c:~ c: ~~: .:c ~_cc .c:c: ccc c:c .: ~ : cc c:c ~cc::
(Answers to Part A should be made by circling or underlining the correct answer on the question paper)

1. cc~ ~c ~ !0000 K : cc:c ~cc ~c c~ ~cc: :.: cc: cc: c:~:c.~ [cc: c.~
~cc .~ ~c: :.: :~c~ :c: cc::, : :~c~ = 2.898 x 10
-3
m K).
At what wavelength does a star with the surface temperature of 3000 K radiate most intensely. (Consider the star as a
blackbody and use the Wiens law, Wien constant = 2.898 x 10
-3
m K).

a) 0.58 m b) 0.75 m c) 0.49 m d) 0.29 m

2. cc:c c.c:ccc c~c~:c~ c: 0.05 .~ c:: . :c cc: c:c c ~:.~c : :.~
For a star, the trigonometric parallax was measured to be 0.05 arc seconds. What is the distance to the star in parsec?

a) 20 pc b) 25 pc c) 30 pc d) 35 pc

?. c:cc ~ c:c c:~c:.~ c:c .c.~ c.:.c cc~ 45 cm .. ~c.:c ?0 cm c: c:c .c:_ ~::
( = 5.4x10
-4
cm) c:: ~c .cc .c ~ c : ~c.:c: ~:cc .:~ .c: :c~ :c.c cc: cc
.c ~ ~: cc .: .c:~ ~c ~ccc.~: ~ :c ~c ~:~ cc::.
The objective of the Arthur C Clarke Institute telescope has a diameter 45 cm. At what distance would two small green
( = 5.4x10
-4
cm) objects 30 cm, apart be barely resolved by the telescope, assuming the minimum angle of resolution
for the telescope is given by

a) 20.6 km b) 17.3 km c) 24.8 km d) 22.4 km

Full Name of the Candidate:
Index Number:
Examination Centre: Colombo/Batticaloa/Jaffna/Kelaniya/Peradeniya/Ruhuna (underline)
IColombo/Peradeniya/Kelaniya/Ruhuna/Batticaloa?Jaffna
Signature of the Candidate :
Please furnish the following information before the commencement of the examination
Date of Birth:
1/5
4. :~: cc~ c:c c::~c ~cc~ 30 km .. c~.: c:.~ ccc:. ~cc~ 5 mm .~ ~c ~:~
ccc: .cc c::~ ~~ c:~: :::c :c:~ c::.
A crater on the surface of the Moon has a diameter of 80 km. Is it possible to resolve this crater with naked eyes,
assuming the eye pupil aperture is 5 mm ?

a) Yes [:c~) b) No[.:::c~) c) Depend on country of observation[:c:~ cc: c cc cc:~ .)
d) Data provided is insufficient to answer [~_cc: ~:~~c ccc cc ~c::c .::..)

5. .c ~c c.:.c :: c 2 m ~ ~ ~.:.c :: c 20 mm :c, .c.~ ~::~ :.~
If the focal length of the objective of a telescope is 1 m and the focal length of its eye piece is 20 mm, the
magnification of the telescope is
a) 10 b) 50 c) 100 d) 200.

c. ~:: c:cc:.~ c:c K cc:c ~c~ 0.4L

.. .cc cc:. 6.23 x 10

-34
W m
-2
.c~c c:c
:c:~ cc c:c. .cc cc: c:c c .c:~c: ? D:~.::~ ~c .::~c: :c~ :c. [~c~~:.: ~c~
L

= 3.96 x 10
26
J s
-1
.).
A K star on the main sequence has the luminosity of 0.4L

. This star is observed to have a flux of 6.23 x 10

-34
W m
-2
.
What is the distance to this star? You may neglect the atmospheric effects.(Luminosity of the Sun L

=3.96 x 10
26
J s
-1
).
a) 23 pc b) 125 pc c) 310 pc d) 453 pc

1. ~:: c~ ~c :c ? :c~ :c ~c.~: c:c cc:. ~:c~ m = 6 ~ ~c.~: ::c cc:.
~:c~ m = -1.5 .. ~c.~: c: c cc:. ~ ~c.~: ::c cc:. ~cc .c ccc c:~:c~ ccc
The magnitude of the faintest star you can see with your naked eyes in a very clear night sky is
m = 6 and that of the brightest star is m = - 1.5. What is the energy flux ratio of the faintest to that of
the brightest?
a) 4 b) 0.4 c) 10
-3
d) 10
-4
.

3. ~.^-: ~c.~ ~.^.~ ~ ?34000 k.m. c: :~: ~: c:c ccc : c:~~c [:c ) : 21.? c ..
~.^.~ ~c:~ .~:~::.
In the Earth-Moon system, it is found that moon is 384000 km away from the earth and the length of the lunar month
(sidereal) is 27.3 days. Find the mass of the Earth.
a) 1.5 x 10
6
kg b) 3 x 10
19
kg c) 6 x 10
24
kg d) 9 x 10
31
kg

2. c:cc: cq~c ~: ~cc c: ~ ::~:c~:c c 422 nm c:c c: cc:c c::.
::c.~ .cc c: cc: c:c.c 500 nm ~. .::~c c:c~ c:: .cc ~ :~ :.~
An astronomer photographs the spectrum of an object and finds a spectral line at 499 nm wavelength. In the laboratory,
this spectral line occurs at 500 nm. According to the Doppler effect, this object is moving
a) [~.^.~: c) away from the Earth at 499/500 the speed of light.
b) [~.^.~: c) away from the Earth at 1/500 the speed of light.
c) [~.^~ .c) toward the Earth at 499/500 the speed of light.
d) [~.^~ .c) toward the Earth at 1/500 the speed of light.

!0. ~c~~:.: ~c~ L

= 3.96 x 10
26
J s
-1
: ~c~~:.: cc~ R

=7x10
8
m :c c: .: ~~ ~c .~ [T
e
)
c:~ ~ :c.c .
The luminosity of the Sun is L

=3.96x10
26
J s
-1
. If the radius of the sun is R

=7x10
8
m what could be the effective
temperature of the Sun T
e
?

a) 6000 K b) 5600 K c) 6100 K d) 5800 K

!!. M87 .~: c::c~, M51 ~c~:c:c c::c~ .c: c: :~c cc: ~: c:c :c:~ c._ :c,
c~^~ ~:.~ M87 .~: c::c.~ ~.:~ M51 ~c~:c:c c::c.~ ~.:~ .c: .c:~c .
The giant galaxy M87 is observed to be 3 times farther away than the spiral galaxy M51. With respect to the Milky
Way, what would be the velocity of the M87 galaxy as that of the M51 galaxy.
a) 3 times smaller, b) 3 times bigger, c) 9 times smaller d) 9 times bigger

12. ~.^~ cc~ c0 kg cc c:c c:~c ccc: :.~ :c, ccc: cc~ ?.: c ~ :c.c
The weight of a man on Earths surface is 60 kg. If he goes to the Mars, his weight at the Martian surface would be
a) 10 kg b) 20 kg c) 60 kg d) 120 kg

2/5
!?. c::c.~ ~: c:.~ ~ cc:, ~c~~: ~:.~ ~c .:~cc c~.
In comparison with the Sun, stars located in the galactic halo are expected to have
a) low metal abundances. [c: .: c~)
b) metal abundances similar to those in the Sun. [c: ~c:: .: c~)
c) metal abundances higher than those in the Sun. [c: :: :: .: c~)
d) none of the above. [c ~ccc .::.).


!4. c: : :c: :::: c:cc c.ccc c: cc:c ~: c :c ~cc ?!.5 : ccc c: ::c
~: c :c ~cc 0.5 .. c.cc. c.~ c:cc c:~ ~.^ c~ :
A Sun-orbiting periodic comet is the farthest at 31.5 A.U. and the closest at 0.5 A.U. The orbital period of this comet
(in earth years) is
a) 8 b) 16 c) 64 d) 76


!5. c~^ c:~c~c ccc ~^:~:~ z ~2 .. .cc c :~c~ c.:c~ ccc ccc cc: :: cc: ~:c~c:
.c : ~.~ ~:c~ .:~ cc
Red shift Z, of a distant Quasar is equal to 2. By what factor the density of the Universe changed compared to the time
when Quasar emits light?
a.) 8 times smaller, b) 8 times larger, c) 27 times smaller, d) 64 times smaller


!c. X :c ~ccc: cc:c :::c (+45dec:8RA) .. .cc cc: ~:~ c:cc 22[~cc ~~) : :~ :c.c cc:
.: cc: ~:.:
A certain star X has the coordinates (+45dec:8RA). On Sept 22 (Autumnal equinox) at what time does this star rise
and in what direction?

a.) at 12:00pm local time in North East
b) at 8.00pm local time in North West.
c) at 2:00pm local time in North East
d) at 2:00am local time in North East


!1. .~.c. 2! cc: c:~:c~ .~:: c::c:~ ~_ cc: : :.~ c: ::c : ~ :.~
Radio observations at a wavelength of 21 cm are useful probes of the galaxy because
a) they locate molecular hydrogen. [ ~: c:: cc ~:~: .~:~: :~:)
b) they find hot, ionized hydrogen clouds in the spiral arms. [ ~: c:: ~c~:c:c : c:c ~c, c~:c.c
~:~: _: .~:~: :~:)
c) they map neutral hydrogen in the spiral arms. [ ~: c:: ~c~:c:c : c:c ~:c ~:~: .~:~: :~:)
d) they can detect dark matter. [ ~: c:: cc: ~:c^ .~:~::c :c :~:)


!3. .: ~:c.~ cc: ::~cc, : ~ c~c c: c:c.c cc: c:.~ c::c
Which type of galaxy is dominated by Population II stars and contains little or no gas or dust?
a) elliptical, b) spiral, c) barred spiral, d) irregular


!2. ~~ cc:c:~:c~: c: c:: .~ ~:c~ :: :.~
The apparent magnitude measured over all wavelengths is called
1. Absolute magnitude [:c.~ ~:c~) 2. Bolometric apparent magnitude [.:c cc .~ ~:c~)
3.Colour magnitude [c ~:c~) 4. Bolometric absolute magnitude [.:ccc :c.~ ~:c~)


20. T-.:c cc: c~c:.~ H-R ~.: cc: .c:~
Which part of the H-R diagram that the T- Tauri stars are located
1. Red giant branch 2. Supergiant branch 3. Pre-main sequence branch 4. AGB branch





3/5

B .c:~ / PART B
cc : c:c cc.cc ~ .c: .~:::c: ~c ~~: ~_cc: ~~~::.
~c cc.cc ~ _cc: ~c~cc : ?.: :c ~ :: cc~ ~: cc::.
(Please provide your answers to this part using attached additional blank sheets.
Write your name and index number on top of each and every additional sheet)


21. !223 c.::~c 22 : cc: ~c:c ~ ~:c:c ~c~:~, ~^ ~cc~ !0 cm : f-c:~:c~ !5 .c~c
.~:: ?5 mm ~~c cc :c ::~:c~~c ~~cc ~c :c.. ~~ cc ~: cc ::~:c~.~ ~:
c.: c:c:c~ ~c~ c:.~ ~cc~ !?.3!1 mm : : c:.~ ~cc~ !?.2?5 mm .. :~: ~
~c~~: c:c c [c.c. :) ~ ~:c:c ~c~:~ c.: c~^:. ~c~ c: ~ .c:~c ~c:~c:
[~c ~c~c .~) :~:.:: :~ c.~ ~:: ::~ cc::. [ ~c~~:.: ~cc~ ~ !?22000 km, :~:.:
~cc~ ~ ?41c km.)
Below is a picture on a 35 mm film of annular eclipse in North Sumatra on August 22, 1998, taken with a telescope
having effective diameter 10 cm and f-ratio 15. The diameter of the Suns disk in original picture on the film is 13.817
mm and the diameter of the Moons disk is 13.235 mm. Estimate the distances of the Sun and the Moon (expressed in
km) from the Earth and the percentage of the solar disk covered by the Moon during the annular eclipse.(Diameter of
the Sun = 1 392 000 km, Daimeter of the Moon= 3476 km.)





22. c ~c: c: c::~c _ ~:c c: .c:~ :c cc::. .c c:~:: ~_ .c ~cc~c ~~~::.
Sketch the optical parts of a slit spectrograph and label them. Discuss briefly its main drawbacks.



4/5
2?. c~.: c::c.~ c.~ c:c cc: c:::~c : ~_ :c c:c :~ _: ~~c: :cc: .c:.~: cc:
:c ~:~: c c:c: ~c::c.~ (:~ ~c~-rest frequency = 1420.41 MHz)) ~:c~
1421.23 MHz :c:~ cc: . .cc :~ _:~~ cc: c:::.~ ~ 0.2 pc c: ~.~ :c : ~~
.c:c:c c:c c :c c.:c, ~c _:~.~ .:~ :~~ cc, ~~ c~ .c .: c.~: c :c:
cc:::~ c::. cc: c:::.~ ~c:~ ::~ cc::.
Radio wavelength observations of gas cloud swirling around a black hole in the center of our galaxy show that radiation
from the hydrogen spin-flip transition (rest frequency = 1420.41 MHz) is detected at a frequency of 1421.23 MHz. If
this gas cloud is located at a distance of 0.2 pc from the black hole and is orbiting in a circle, determine the speed of this
cloud and whether it's moving toward or away from us and calculate the mass of the black hole.


24. H-R ~:c c: ~ ~:: c:ccc cc:, cc .~: cc:, : .~: cc:, ~ :c: cc:, cc :c: cc: ~:
c:~ c cc::. ~c~~: :: cc:c c:cc :c: c:cc cc:. c~::~ c: c:~~ : c:c:~
~c ~.:c c: c::.
Draw the Hertzsprung-Russel (H-R) diagram and indicate the regions where you could find main sequence stars, red
giants, blue giants, white dwarfs and red dwarfs. Indicate the track of a sun like star on the same diagram during its
evolutionary history, i.e. birth from an interstellar cloud of gas and dust to its final demise.


25. c:~:: ~.~: .~:~ 180 c ~ccc~c c:c ~.^.~ :c~ cc ~: ~:~: ...:c ~cc .:.
~~.c c:c cc: .c~ ~.~ :~:.: ~c :c:~ cc~. :~:.: c:c~ [declination) ~: .:c
~c c~^: ~: _ c~ ~:c c::. ~c ~:~: ..:: c: :.: .~ ~~.~[right
ascension) .:~ ::~ cc::.
Two persons, on the equator of the Earth separated by 180 in longitude, observe the Moons position with respect to
the background star field at the same time. If the declination of the Moon is zero, sketch the situation and calculate the
difference in apparent right ascension seen by those two persons.

vvvvvv
5/5








~ c: .cc : c:~c:~
INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS, SRI LANKA

~_c: ~ c: c~^ c:cc: : ?c ~~:: ccc~-20!!

THE 1
ST
SRI LANKAN JUNIOR ASTRONOMY OLYMPIAD COMPETITION-2011

(c:~ ~:~ ! ::: ?0)(Duration : 1 hour and 30 minutes)

.cc ~~: ~c~ ~~: A : B .c:~ .cc: ~c ~~: ?2 c: ~c: c~
This paper consists of 32 questions in two parts (A & B).

::~ ccc ~: ~ B .c:~ ~_cc: ~:~~c ~: cc: c:c ~ c::~ :c: cc::.
Use the attached blank sheets for your calculations and also to answer the questions in Part-B.

~~c ~~: .cc ~~: ~c.~c ~_cc: ~~~: ~~ c::~ ::~ c~::.~ :: ~::~c cc: .c :c .::
Answer all the questions in this paper and submit all sheets to the supervisor at the end of the examination.

:c ~:c :c c :c/Electronic calculators are allowed.

(~.~:~:c cc / Useful information : c:.:c.~ .:~ / Speed of light c = 3 x 10
5
km/s,
~cc :c:c:cc~: :~c~ / Universal gravitational constant G = 6.67 x 10
-11
m
3
kg
-1
s
-2
).
~ ~ccc:.~ :: cc.:c :~ ~: c:c ~~ :~ : ~_cc: ~~~::.




A .c:~ / PART A

A .c:~ c: ~~: .:c ~_cc .c:c: ccc c:c .: ~ : cc c:c ~cc::
(Answers to Part A should be made by circling or underlining the correct answer on the question paper)

1. ~ ::c ~::_ c:c~c cc: .~.~c ~ ? ~~ c:~: c~ :c~ c_.:c .c:~c cc: ~c:~c :c~
:c
How many stars can you see with your naked eye on a clear, moonless night from a dark location?
a) 6000-10000 b) less than a thousand(~ c:) c) 15000-100000
d) more than you could count in your lifetime (~c c:~ c :::cc :cc_ .:::c ccc )

2. .c:~ : ~c ~ :~cc: ccc: ~~ ~_ : c~ c~cc q~: ~ ~c c: c::
.c:::
Which scientists played a major role in overturning the ancient idea of an Earth-centered universe,
and about when?
a) Aristotle and Copernicus; about 400 years ago (c:c~.: ~ .c:~:c~-~c 400 c .~c)
b) Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo; about 400 years ago(.c:~:c~, .c~c ~ :: .~:-~c 400 c
~c .~c)
c) Aristotle and Plato; about 2,000 years ago (c:c~.: ~ ~..: - ~c 2000 c .~c)
d) Newton and Einstein; about 100 years ago(:: ~ c~:~~:-~c !00 c .~c)

Full Name of the Candidate(~c~c :c):
Index Number (:: cc~):
Examination Centre(c~^::~): Colombo/Batticaloa/Jaffna/Kelaniya/Peradeniya/Ruhuna/Vaunia Campus (underline)
IColombo/Peradeniya/Kelaniya/Ruhuna/Batticaloa?Jaffna
School & Grade[~:~: ~ .~~):
Please furnish the following information before the commencement of the examination
Date of Birth (~: :~): Telephone Number( .c.):
Signature of the Candidate (cc~:) :
1/6


3. c~c ~cc c: .c:~c . How many arcseconds are in 1?
a) 360 b) 60 c) 3,600 d) 10,000

4. ~^ ~ cc ~ ~:cc .c c cc c: .~ cc ~c:~~c c~:ccc .
In what part of the electromagnetic spectrum do the biggest telescopes on Earth operate?
a) infrared [c.:ccc) b) visible[.~) c) radio [.c:.~:) d) X-ray[X-cc)

5. c:.: ~c:~ ~:.~ c.:cc :. :c ~c: ~~.:.: .c.~
How does the Sun's mass compare with that of the planets?
a) 1000 times more massive than Earth. (~.^~ .c:!000 :~c).
b) 100 times more massive than all the planets combined. (: .:c ~~ . ~c:~ .c: ~~ :~c
ccc ~:.).
c) It is about as massive as all the planets combined.(: .:c ~~. ~c:~ ~c:: ccc ~:.).
d) 1000 times more massive than all the planets combined. (: .:c ~~ . ~c:~ .c: ~ :~c
ccc ~:.).

6. c: ~ cc:c ~:.: ~c ~:~: ccc -Which of the following is furthest from the Sun?
a) Pluto [~.:)
b) a comet in the Kuiper belt [c~~c~.~ c:c c.ccc)
c) a comet in the Oort cloud [:~.~ c:c c.ccc)
d) an asteroid in the asteroid belt [: :c _. c:c : :c~c)

7. ~.^~ cccc ~~ c~~.~ :c~ c :c :.:c~ ccc
Which planet, other than Earth, has visible water ice on it?
a) Jupiter[~~c) b) Mars [c:c:) c) Venus[~cc:) d) Mercury[)

8. .~c: c:.~ ~c: :: c ~:c~c c:c :.:c~ ccc
Which is the densest planet in the solar system?
a) Earth[~.^~) b) Venus [~cc:) c) Jupiter[~~c) d) Mercury[)

9. ~.^~ : c:~:: ~:c~c: ~c : .:c~ ccc
The planet closest in size to Earth is
a) Venus[~cc:) b) Pluto[~.:) c) Mars [c:c:) d) Neptune[.:~:)

10. ~c ~: c::c:~ ~c: ~[Mercury- , Venus- ~cc:, Moon-:~:, Earth- ~.^~, Mars-c:c:)
c:: ~c:.~ ~ ~: ~c c: ~_. :.~.
Rank the five celestial worlds in order of size from smallest to largest:
a) Mercury, Moon, Venus, Earth, Mars.
b) Moon, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.
c) Mercury, Moon, Mars, Earth, Venus.
d) Moon, Mercury, Mars, Venus, Earth.

11. ~c:c cccc :~.::~c ~c :~c :.: ccc
Which moon has the most substantial atmosphere?
a) Titan b) Europa c) Mimas e) Io

12. ~.^~ cc c: c:c:~.~ ~ c: .~c: c:.~ .~~ ~c::: :c.
What do we call a small piece of solar system debris (came from space) found on Earth?
a) asteroid (: :c~) b) solar system debris(.~c: c:.~ .~~ ~c)
d) meteorite( c:~c~) e) meteor(c:)



2/6


13. c.ccc :~
The tail of a comet
a) always points toward the Sun [~cc c: .~ ~ c.)
b) always points perpendicular to the Sun [~cc c: cc ~: c. )
c) always points away from the Sun[~cc c:.:: c ~ c.)
d) they do not have tails near the Sun[c: c~::.~ ~: ::: .::~ ~)

14. ~.^~ cc~ c0 kg cc c:c c:~c :.~ :c, cc~ ?.: c :.~
The weight of a man on Earths surface is 60 kg. If he goes to the moon, his weight at the lunar
surface would be

a) 10 kg b) 20 kg c) 60 kg d) 120 kg

15. .c ~c c.:.c :: c ! m ~ ~ ~.:.c :: c 20 mm :c, .c.~ ~::~ :.~
If the focal length of the objective of a telescope is 1 m and the focal length of its eye piece is 20
mm, the magnification of the telescope is

a) 10 b) 50 c) 100 d) 200.

16. p^}QvQ@y~ sQtQn nQrW]kykSt s$m vQtm cn~qYy`@g~ ek~ p#w~wk~ pmNk~ @p@nn~@n~
The reason that we see the same side of the moon always is

a) 5 degrees angle between the planes of the moon and earth.
(cn~qYy`@g~ wlyw~ p^}QvQ@y~ wlyw~ awr aA~c 5 c c::c~ :~:)
b) Moon does not rotate at all . (:~: c~ .::: :~:)
c) Moons rotational speed is equal to the moons speed of revolution.
(:~:.: c c:~ ~ ~cc c:~ ~c:: :~:)
d) Tidal effect of the moon on the earth. (:~:.:: ~.^~ cc c:c: c :~:)

17. c: : :c: :::: c:cc c.ccc c: cc:c ~: c :c ~cc ?!.5 : ccc c: ::c
~: c :c ~cc 0.5 .. c.cc. c.~ c:cc c:~ ~.^ c~ :
A Sun-orbiting periodic comet is the farthest at 31.5 A.U. and the closest at 0.5 A.U. The orbital
period of this comet (in earth years) is

a) 8 b) 16 c) 64 d) 76

!3. ~c~ :~.::~ ~c ~ c: .c:~ c:c .~ :c. ~: ~ c:~ .::~, c .::~ ~ .c.c::: :c.
~c:~ .::.~ ~`mn& u;~nw~vy :.~.
Solar atmosphere can be divided into three major parts based on temperature. They are
photosphere, chromosphere and corona. The average temperature of the photosphere is

a) 4500 K (b) 6000 K c) 10000 K d) 100000 K.

19. :c: : ~c.: c~ c::cc~ ~c 5c0 .~~::::: . c: :: ~: ~ ~c: ~ c.~ cc-c:c.~
: :.~.
The orbital period of a dwarf planet is found to be 560 years. The length of the semi-major axis of
its elliptical orbit around the sun is.

a) 3.8 b) 22.8 c) 67.9 d) 131.2




3/6


20. c:c c.~ ~cccc cc: :.~
The brightest star in the night sky is

a) Sirius [~c~~) b) the North Star[cc: cc:) c) Betelgeuse[. ~~) d) Venus[~cc:)

21. ~ c:~.~ ~cccc cc:c: :.~
The brightest star of the Leo constellation is

a) Sirius b) Regulus c) Antares d) Algieba

22. ~c c~~ c: : c: c:c cc: c:. :c :.~
The name for the pattern of stars below is
a) Ursa major[c ~:), b) Scorpius[.~ c), c) Orion [?c~:), d) Taurus[.~)



2?. c~.~ c:c cc ~: c: : c: .c c:~ :.~
The type of telescope shown by a ray diagram in this figure is

(a) Newtonian
(b) Cassegrain
(c) Coude
(d) Maksukov

24. ~c~~:.: .~: ~.~^~ ::.: cc: :cc :
What name is given to the Suns visible surface?
a) corona [.c:.c::: ) b) chromosphere [c.::~)
c) limb [:c~) d) photosphere[~c:~.::~)

25. ~c~:~c ~: ~~ ::cc :c ~c~ :~~ cc:.:
When a solar eclipse occurs, the people who are able to witness the event are
a) at any place on the daylight side of the Earth [~.^.~ c:~ c:c .~.~ ?:c c::c)
b) in the eclipse path only[: ~^~ .~.~ ~c.)
c) on the night time side of the Earth [~.^.~ c:c .~.~)
d) near Sunset[c: :~ ~:c c:~:: .~.~)

26. aghr# rwSgY hy` yn nmQ n~ h#qQnvWmt @h~wSv - Mars is nicknamed the red planet because
a) it is hot [~~ c c ~c~c:~cc :~:)
b) it is covered with a rusty, red dust [~~ cc:: cc c: :~ cc)
c) it has a red atmosphere[ ~~ cc~:: :~.::~ccc)
d) all of the above[c ~: ~~)

27. ~c~~:.: ~c: c ccc
Which chemical element is the most abundant inside the Sun?
a) carbon [c::) b) oxygen [?c~~:) c) helium [~c ) d) hydrogen[~:~:)




4/6


28. cc c~~ :: cc :~ : : ~c : .:c~c .~c: c:.~~c. ~c :.:c.~ :c
Only one planet in the solar system has a day which lasts longer than its year. Name of this planet is
a) Venus[~cc:) b) Mercury[) c) Uranus [~.c:~) d) Jupiter[~~c)

29. :~: :~ ~:.: .~.. c.00 :c :~: .: c:.
If the Moon is setting at 6 A.M., the phase of the Moon must be
a) full [~c) b) third quarter [c c:~)
c) first quarter [~c c:~) d) waning crescent. [c cc)

30. c:.~ ? cc: :c~ c :c:c ccc:c .: :.~ cc .: :c ? .~.:: .~ ~c
.. ~ c~~: .c c.:.~ c^: c:~.~~.
If you could see stars during the day, this is what the sky would look like at noon on a given day.
The Sun is in the constellation Gemini.





c: :~~: ~~ c.: c:~ ~ :.~
When the sun sets, you will find it in the constellation
a) Leo [~) b) Canis Major [c :) c) Gemini[c^:) d) Taurus[.~)

============================================================


B .c:~ / PART B
.cc .c:.~ ~~: ~_cc: ~c .c:cc c:c cc:~~ c ~~~::.

(Please provide your answers to this part in the space provided at the end)
________________________________________________________________


31. .:c ~: ~:: c c:c:c~ ~~ ~_ .c:~ c:c.c .~ ~:cc: c ::.
Sketch the geocentric model of the Universe as explained by Ptolemy.

?2 ~~ -.:.: :~c~ ~cc cc ~c:: c: ~ .~:~c: :~: c:c c :c ~cc : c:~c.c:c cc::.
Describe the Titius Bode law and estimate the distance to planet Saturn from the Sun in Astronomical
Units (AU).

****





W
E
S
5/6







Please provide your Answer to Question No.31 in this space (?! : ~~:~ ~: : ~_cc .cc .c: c ~~~::).
Please provide your Answer to Question No.32 in this space (?2 : ~~:~ ~: : ~_ cc .cc .c: c ~~~::).
Name of the candidate(:c): Index number( :: cc~):
6/6

Answer


Answer





~ c: .cc : c:~c:~
INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS, SRI LANKA

c:cc: : : c:cc: .cc : ~_ ~~: ~ c: ?c~~:: ccc:~-20!!
THE 5
TH
SRI LANKAN OLYMPIAD ON ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS - 2011

(c:~ ~:~ ! ::: ?0)(Duration : 1 hour and 30 minutes)


.cc ~~: ~c~ ~~: A : B .c:~ .cc: ~c ~~: 25 c: ~c: c~
This paper consists of 25 questions in two parts (A & B).

::~ ccc ~: ~ B .c:~ ~_cc: ~:~~c ~: cc: c:c ~ c::~ :c: cc::.
Use the attached blank sheets for your calculations and also to answer the questions in Part-B.
~~c ~~: .cc ~~: ~c.~c ~_cc: ~~~: ~~ c::~ ::~ c~::.~ :: ~::~c cc: .c :c .::
Answer all the questions in this paper and submit all sheets to the supervisor at the end of the examination.

:c ~:c :c c :c/Electronic calculators are allowed.

(~.~:~:c cc / Useful information : c:.:c.~ .:~ / Speed of light c = 3 x 10
5
km/s,
~cc :c:c:cc~: :~c~ / Universal gravitational constant G = 6.67 x 10
-11
m
3
kg
-1
s
-2
).
~ ~ccc:.~ :: cc.:c :~ ~: c:c ~~ :~ : ~_cc: ~~~::.



A .c:~ / PART A

A .c:~ c: ~~: .:c ~_cc .c:c: ccc c:c .: ~ : cc c:c ~cc::
(Answers to Part A should be made by circling or underlining the correct answer on the question paper)


1. What is the approximate range of temperatures on the lunar surface?
a) -150
0
C to 0 0C b) 0
0
C to 100
0
C
c) -150
0
C to 120 0C d )0
0
C to 120
0
C

2. From Kepler's third law, an asteroid with an orbital period of 8 years lies at an average distance from the Sun equal to
a) 4 astronomical units. b) 8 astronomical units.
c) 16 astronomical units. d) 2 astronomical units.

3. The lunar cycle of phases and the Moons orbital period around the Earth differ slightly. Which line in
the table is correct?
orbital period / day lunar cycle / day
a) 27.3 28.0
b) 27.3 29.5
c) 28.0 29.5
d) 29.5 27.3

4. The mean mass density for a super massive black hole with total mass of 110
8
inside the
Schwarzschild radius would be (here =1.99 x 10
30
kg).
c ~c:~ 110
8
: ~~c ~: ccc~c ~ c:~c c:cc ~:c:: ~:c~ :.~[.c ~1.99 x 10
30
kg).) .
Full Name of the Candidate:
Index Number:
Examination Centre: Colombo/Batticaloa/Jaffna/Kelaniya/Peradeniya/Ruhuna (underline)
IColombo/Peradeniya/Kelaniya/Ruhuna/Batticaloa?Jaffna
Signature of the Candidate :
Please furnish the following information before the commencement of the examination
Date of Birth:
a) 1.85 x 10
3
kg b) 1.99 x 10
30
kg c) 3.00 x 10
8
kg d)6.67 x 10
5
kg


5. A student sees a thin, crescent Moon. At what time of day, and whereabouts in the sky, would this be
visible?
a) due south at midnight b) in the east at dawn
c) in the north near Polaris d) in the west at sunset

6. Which of the following statements does not use the term angular size or angular distance correctly?
a) The angular distance between those two bright stars in the sky is about 2 meters.
b) The angular size of the Moon is about 1/2 degree.
c) The angular distance between those two houses in the distance is 30.
d) You can use your outstretched hand to estimate angular sizes and angular distances.



7. The radial velocity curve for binary system is shown in the figure. The radial velocities are plotted
with the corresponding phases of the bunary system. Which statement is true about the properties of
radial velocities (V
A
, V
B
), orbital periods (T
A
, T
B
) and the masses (M
A
, M
B
) of the binary system.

(a) V
A
>V
B
, T
A
>T
B
, M
A
>M
B

(b) V
A
<V
B
, T
A
=T
B
, M
A
>M
B

(c) V
A
<V
B
, T
A
<T
B
, M
A
<M
B

(d) V
A
>V
B
, T
A
=T
B
, M
A
<M
B












8. What part of a comet points most directly away from the Sun?
a) the jets of gas b) the nucleus
c) the dust tail d) the plasma tail

9. There are no aurora on Venus because it
a) lacks atmospheric oxygen. b) lacks a strong magnetic field.
c) lacks an ionosphere. d) is too hot.

10. Which one of the following moon features is named Copernicus? Is it a:
a) sea b) crater c) mountain range d) rill

11. Of the following four times, which one best represents the time it takes energy generated in the core of the
sun to reach the surface of the sun and be radiated?
a) Three minutes b) Thirty days
c) One thousand years d) One million years

12. The brightest star in this constellation is Aldebaran. In which constellation can this star be found?
a) Taurus b) Orion c) Lyra d) Gemini

13. Spectral line splitting due to the influence of magnetic fields is called:
a) Boltzmann Effect b) Zeeman Effect
b) Planck Effect c) Zanstra's Effect

A
B

!4. .~:.:c A cc:. ~c~ .c:~ c~c~:c~ c: 0.1c .. .cc cc: c:c c a`@l`~k vr~; : :.~
The heliocentric parallax of Centauri A is 0.76 arc seconds. What is the distance of this star in light years?

a) 2.82 b) 3.56 c) 4.29 d) 5.74
Answer:
sec) (
1
) (
arc p
pc d 1.315 pc d = 4.29 light years

15. The figure shows three spectra from stars with different luminosity classes. What will be the correct
order of the luminosity classes?
(a) A-Main Sequence, B-Luminous Super
Giant, C-Giant
(b) A- Luminous Super Giant, B- Giant, C-
Main Sequence
(c) A- Giant, B- Main Sequence, C-
Luminous Super Giant
(d) A- Giant, B- Luminous Super Giant, C-
Main Sequence

16. Most single-appearance comets enter the inner Solar
System directly from the Oort Cloud. Estimate how long it takes a comet to make this journey. Assume that in the Oort
Cloud,
35 000 AU from the Sun, the comet was at aphelion.
~cc:c~cc c~ ~: .:.: c.cc .~c: c:~ c:c :.~ :~.~~ ~:c~.
_:~.~ ~ c: c~ ~:cc .c c::cc.~: ::~c~:c ~: c.ccc .c:~c c:~c:c.
_:~~ c: ~ c :c ~cc ?5000 c .~, c.cc .c.~ .c ~~ ~~:c:c c.: ccc
.~ ~ ~:c.:: .~ ~c::.

a) 76 years b) 2.5 x 104 years c) 2.3 x 10
6
years d) 1.2 x 10
6
years

17. What would be the diameter of a radio telescope working at a wavelngth of = 1 cm with the same resolution as an
optical telescope of diameter D = 10 cm?
~cc ~ D = 10 cm : ~c:~ .c ~c . : ~ ~c:: .: ~c ~c c :c cc: c:~:c~ = 1 cm c~:ccc :
.c:.~: .c~c ~cc~ ccc ~~c

100 nm b) 10 cm c) 500 m d) 2 km

18 If the solar constant is 1366 W m
-2
, estimate the number of solar neutrinos which should pass through a 1 m
2
area of
the Earth's surface perpendicular to the Sun every second. Use the fact that each fusion reaction in the Sun produces
26.8 MeV of energy and 2 neutrinos.
~c ~ :~c~ 1366 W m
-2
. :c, ~c cc~c~cc ~c ~~: cc ~.^ ~.~^.~ c: c.c. ~cc c: ~: ~c ~ :~.:: :::
c:~c.c:c cc::. .c :::~ ~:, c:.: ~c ~: ~cc~:c c: 26.8 MeV ~cc~c :~: :~.:: .ccc :~.:
.~:::::.

a) 1.3 x 10
6
b) 3.4 x 10
10
c) 6.4 x 10
14
d) 4.3 x 10
12



!2. .c:: ~:.~c 3 c cc : ~ c::c~c ~:.~ ~.:~ :.~[ :~c.~ c:~ 70 km/s per Mpc .~ :::).
The relative velocity of a certain galaxy at a distance of 8 Mpc away would be (use the value of
Hubble's constant as 70 km/s per Mpc).
A
B
C

(a) 7 km/s (b) 10 km/s (c) 70 km/s (d) 560 km/s

Answer:
The relative velocity of the galaxy
When the recession velocity is V
V = H
0
x Distance
= 70 km/s/Mpc x 8 Mpc = 560 km/s

20. A RR Lyrae variable in a galaxy periodically doubles its light out put. By how much does its apparent magnitude
change ?
a) 0.50 b) 0.75 c) 4.00 d) Does not change
Answer
) ( 4 . 0
10
m n
B
B
n
m

n-m= 2.5log Bm/Bn = 2.5 log2 = 0.75
___________________________________________________________________________________________

B .c:~ / PART B
cc.cc .c: .~:::c: ~c ~~ : ~_cc: ~~~::.
~c cc.cc ~ _cc: ~c~cc : ?.: :c ~ :: cc~ ~: cc::.
(Please provide your answers to this part using additional sheets.
Write your name and index number on top of each and every additional sheet)

!. ~~c ~: ~.^.~ c .:~ .~::::c : cc .c.~ ~.:.c :c .c~ c::c c ~: cc~. .cc
ccc c cc ~: :cc~: cc .c~ .:: (alpha Lyr., RA: 18.5
h
, Dec: +39 ) cc: .c ~ cc
.c.~ ~c: ~ccc~ :c: c: ~.:.c c :c .c~ c: .:: cc: ~:c :c: c:~ t= :: 5.3
.~ c:: ~. .c.~ ~.:.c :c .c~ c: .c:~c .:~ :::~ cc::.
A student tries to measure field of view (FOV) of the eyepiece of his/her telescope,
using rotation of the Earth. To do this job, the observer points the telescope towards
Vega (alpha Lyr., RA: 18.5
h
, Dec: +39 ), turns off its "clock drive" and measures trace
out time, t=5.3 minutes, that Vega crosses the full diameter of the FOV. Calculate the
the FOV of this telescope in arc-minutes?

Answer = 62 min









2. Draw the H-R diagram and indicate the regions where you could find main sequence stars, red giants, blue
giants, white dwarfs and red dwarfs.



3. Identify the two constellations in the following picture and label
any five stars here with their names by pointing them using an
arrow
Answer
Orion and Canis Major













4. Look at the pictures of the telescope and match the names of the items with the corresponding
letters. Write your answers in the attached table:



4. Identifying telescope components
(a) Look at the pictures of the telescope and match the names of the items with the corresponding
letters. Write your answers in the table below:
Item name Letter
For
Office
use (to
give
marks)
(example) Tripod M 0
1. Counterweight
2. Right Ascension Setting Circle (R.A. Scale)
3. Declination Setting Circle (Declination Scale)
4. Right Ascension locking knob
5. Declination locking knob
6. Geographical latitude scale
7. Finder scope
8. Focuser tube
9. Focuser knob
10. Eyepiece
11. Declination Axis
12. Right Ascension Axis (Polar Axis)
13. Right Ascension slow motion adjustment
14. Declination flexible slow motion adjustment
15. 90

diagonal mirror
16. Azimuth adjustment knobs
17. Altitude adjustment screws
18. Lock screw
19. Spirit level bubble
20. Eyepiece reticle light on/off switch & brightness control