Astronomy Practice Exam

Which direction does the sun appear to move as the Earth orbits around it?

1. Westward with respect to the stars

2. No specific direction

3. Northward with respect to the stars

4. Eastward with respect to the stars

The correct answer is: Eastward with respect to the stars

The Sun appears to move eastward with respect to the stars because of the Earth's rotation and orbit around the Sun. As the Earth spins on its axis from west to east, this motion causes the Sun to rise in the east and set in the west, creating the daily apparent motion of the Sun across the sky. Moreover, as the Earth continues to orbit the Sun throughout the year, the position of the Sun changes in relation to the background stars, further contributing to the eastward movement. This effect is particularly observable along the ecliptic, which is the apparent path of the Sun through the sky against the backdrop of stars over time. In summary, the combination of the Earth's rotation and its orbit results in the Sun's apparent eastward movement relative to the stars, which is consistently observed as we experience day and night and the changing positions of the Sun throughout the seasons.