THE SOUTHWORTH PLANETARIUM 207-780-4249 www.usm.maine.edu/planet 70 Falmouth Street Portland, Maine 04103 43.6667° N, 70.2667° W Founded January 1970 "It's Christmas! Don't forget the suntan oil!" THE DAILY ASTRONOMER Friday, December 25, 2015 Christmas Quiz Yes, we know it isn't Christmas, yet. We are sending this quiz early because the planetarium is about to close for two days. And, yes, we just returned, so why on Earth are we taking a break, already? The e-mail issued just happened to be resolved and our hiatus brought to an end about a week before Christmas. Hence, the undeserved mini vacation. However, we will be back -in a bleary-eyed stupor- on Monday! Today's quiz celebrates all things Christmas: from its origins to modern traditions based on it. 1. We will have a full moon on Christmas. We last experienced a Christmas full moon in what year? a. 1988 b. 1977 c. 1966 d. 1899 2. Christmas was originally celebrated at various times throughout the year. When was December 25th established as the official birthday of Jesus Christ? (Note: all the times listed below are AD, of course.) a. 4th century b. 6th century c. 11th century d. 13th century 3. The three Magi were learned priests who professed which religion? a. Judaism b. Zoroastrianism c. Paganism d. The cult of Pallas Athena 4. Which ONE of the following is NOT a name of one of Santa's reindeer? a. Comet b. Dancer c. Blitzen d. Vizen 5. The "Feast of the Epiphany," observed on January 6, is another holiday that some celebrate instead of Christmas. What event does this holiday commemorate? a. The date that Mary received word that she would give birth to the Messiah b. The date when the Magi arrived with their gifts c. The date of the Last Supper d. The origin of this holiday is unknown 6. "____________________" has been recorded more times than any other Christmas song. a. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." b. "Jingle Bells" c. "Silent Night" d. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" 7. St Nicholas, the bishop on whom Santa Claus is based, was originally from which country? a. Norway b. England c. Ireland d. Turkey 8. What was the last state in the US to declare Christmas a national holiday? a. Maine b. Rhode Island c. Oklahoma d. Hawaii 9. "La Befana" is the female Santa Claus counterpart in which country? a. Italy b. Spain c. Brazil d. Costa Rica 10. Who was the Roman Emperor/Dictator when Christ was born? a. Caesar Augustus b. Caesar Julius c. Caesar Tiberius d. Caesar Gaius (Caligula) ANSWERS 1. b. 1977 Yes, this was also the same year that "Star Wars IV: A New Hope" was released. Some people have asked us if there is a connection. There most assuredly is, but it that connection is buried so deep in the space-time reality we are unable to fathom it. 2. a. 4th century Roman Emperor Constantine, the first Christian emperor, first celebrated Christmas on December 25th, a date which had been celebrated as "The Birthday of the Unconquered Sun." Later that century, Pope Julius I established December 25th as Christ's birthday. 3. b. Zoroastrianism Their names were Melchoir, Caspar, and Balthazar 4. d. Vizen The name is actually "Vixen." 5. b. The date when the Magi arrived with their gifts 6. c. "Silent Night" 7. d. Turkey Then known as "Asia Minor." 8. c. Oklahoma Alabama was the first state to declare Christmas a state holiday in 1836. Oklahoma was the last state to do so in 1890. By the time Alaska and Hawaii were established as states, Christmas was a national holiday and recognized holidays in those states, as well. 9. a. Italy 10. a. Caesar Augustus