The image at this link is a good representation:

http://www.astronomytrek.com/interesting-facts-about-the-constellation-andromeda/

The students will need to be more specific. The 1st quarter can be called "waxing half" and the 3rd quarter can be called "waning half".

"Mechanics" refers to the way the bodies move in relation to each other, including rotation and revolution. The geometry of eclipses could theoretically fall under this topic; however eclipses questions have their own category in our classification.

Coaches will receive a score breakdown that lists the general topics and the number of points your team scored for each. For example, Eclipses: 5 out of 18 possible points; or Constellations: 14 out of 23 possible. Information or performance on specific questions will not be reported.

Yes.

No.

As stated in the rules: "be able to identify these constellations and specific stars or star cluster [as listed], on a star chart of any month with no constellation lines visible."

 Said another way, if we point to a specific star, or circle a group of stars that comprise a constellation, they should be able to name it with reasonable spelling.  Only the ones listed in the rules.

 We won’t draw the constellation lines to assist them, and don't require the students to connect stars in a constellation pattern.  The students may draw constellation lines on the test if they wish.

Yes.

Ursa Major is one of the constellations which the students should know.  The Big Dipper is an asterism, which is a collection of stars that has been given another name, and in this specific case happens to be a subset of the stars included in Ursa Major.  Some asterisms include stars from multiple constellations.

Students will not be given credit if they substitute the name of an asterism for the name of a constellation.

No.