Question

2023 astronomy fall final exam (1st semester)
49 of 60
32:58
the star located at earth’s north celestial pole has changed throughout history and will continue to change because of earth’s 26,000 year \wobble\ of its rotation axis. this wobble is called -
precession
revolution
retrograde
rotation

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Precession: Defined as the slow, 26,000 - year wobble of Earth's rotational axis, which causes the North Celestial Pole's star to change. This matches the description.
• Revolution: Refers to Earth's orbit around the Sun, not a wobble of the axis. Eliminate.
• Retrograde: Describes apparent backward motion of planets, not Earth's axis wobble. Eliminate.
• Rotation: Is Earth's spinning on its axis, not the wobble of the axis. Eliminate.

Answer:

A. Precession