Stars and Galaxies

Front

The Sun is ___________. Options: very hot compared to other stars, very large compared to other stars, small compared to other stars, medium-sized compared to most other stars

Back

medium-sized compared to most other stars

Answer explanation

Even though it is a medium-sized yellow star, the sun appears much larger than other stars because it is so much closer to Earth.

Front

The Sun is ________ compared to most of the other stars that we can see in the night sky.

Back

medium-sized

Answer explanation

The stars in the night sky appear to be much smaller than the sun because they are further away... much further.

Front

How many stars are in our solar system?

Back

one

Answer explanation

Although there are billions and trillions of stars in the universe, the sun is the only star in our solar system.

Front

Why does the Sun appear much larger than other stars?

Back

The Sun is much closer to Earth than other stars.

Answer explanation

The sun appears larger than other stars because it is much closer to Earth than other stars.

Front

Approximately how long does light from the Sun take to reach Earth?

Back

8 minutes

Answer explanation

The sun is approximately 93 million miles away from Earth. Light travels around 11 million miles per minute. Therefore it takes approximately 8 minutes for the sun's light to reach Earth.

The next closest star, Proxima Centauri, is 5.88 trillion miles away from Earth. That is about 63,000 times further away than the sun. It takes more than a year for light from Proxima Centauri to reach Earth.

Front

How are stars formed?

Back

Stars are formed when gravity causes clouds of gas and dust in space to squeeze together.

Answer explanation

Stars are formed when gravity causes clouds of gas and dust in space to squeeze together. These particles are squeezed together under great pressure. Over time, energy stored in the particles is released as heat and light. A star is born.

Front

Shapes used to classify galaxies: spiral, barred spiral, elliptical, regular; spiral, barred spiral, ovalar, irregular; spiral, clustered, elliptical, irregular; spiral, barred spiral, elliptical, irregular.

Back

spiral, barred spiral, elliptical, irregular

Answer explanation

Galaxies are classified by their shape, including spiral, barred spiral, elliptical, and irregular shapes.

Front

Stars are found together in groups called galaxies, which are held together by ______.

Back

gravity

Answer explanation

Gravity is the glue that holds together entire galaxies. Every object in space exerts a gravitational pull on every other. It keeps planets in orbit. It makes it possible to use human-made satellites and to go to and return from the Moon.

Front

What is the relationship of our own solar system to the Milky Way galaxy?

Back

Our solar system is located within the Milky Way galaxy.

Answer explanation

Earth is part of our solar system. Our solar system is located within the Milky Way galaxy, not outside of it.

Front

Why don't people on Earth see the spiral shape of our Milky Way galaxy?

Back

We are inside the Milky Way galaxy, so we cannot see its spiral shape from Earth.