The Universe and Its Stars

The Universe and Its Stars

Describe the patterns of the sun's apparent motion

• Earth orbits around the SUN. It does this because of GRAVITY.

• The further the Earth is from the sun, the less gravity there would be.

The Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere experience different seasons at different times.

For example:

• if it is spring in the Southern Hemisphere, it is fall in the Northern Hemisphere

• if it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted away from the sun

• this means it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere

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In the Northern Hemisphere, the shortest day of the year is the winter solstice while the longest day is the summer solstice.

Daylight and night are EQUAL at the EQUInoxes.

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Maximum temperatures reached on Earth occur when the sun's rays are as close to perpendicular to Earth's surface as possible.

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Temperature on Earth

Multiple Choice

If Earth were farther away from the sun than it currently is, how would this affect the force of gravity between the two?

• The force of gravity between Earth and the sun would decrease.

• The force of gravity between Earth and the sun would increase.

• The force of gravity between Earth and the sun would remain the same.

• The force of gravity between Earth and the sun could increase, decrease, or stay the same; we need more information.

Multiple Choice

At what time during the day are maximum temperatures reached on Earth?

• During the time of day when the sun's rays are as close to perpendicular to Earth's surface as possible.

• Between the time of day when the sun's rays are at a great angle to Earth's surface and the time when they are as close to perpendicular as possible.

• After the time of day when the sun's rays are as close to perpendicular to Earth's surface as possible.

• Before the time of day when the sun's rays are as close to perpendicular to Earth's surface as possible.

Multiple Choice

In New York City, what is the shortest day of the year?

• The summer solstice.

• The autumn equinox.

• The winter solstice.

• The spring equinox.

Multiple Choice

On the summer solstice, the North Pole is...

• in the same position relative to the sun as always.

• tilted away from the sun.

• perpendicular to the sun.

• tilted toward the sun.

Multiple Select

If it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere, which of these statements are true?

• The North Pole is tilted away from the sun.

• It is summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

• It is winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Multiple Choice

Which statement about the seasons is true?

• The seasons are the result of how close Earth is to the sun.

• The seasons are the result of how close the sun is to Earth.

• The seasons are caused by the tilt of the sun on its axis.

• The seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth on its axis.

Describe the patterns of the moon's apparent motion.

• The moon's phases are the result of its orbit around the Earth and the way the moon reflects sunlight

• We always see the same face of the moon because the moon’s rotation on its axis takes exactly as much time as the moon’s orbit around Earth

• One cycle of phases is determined by the period of revolution of the Moon and the Earth.

• One rotation takes ABOUT 29 days

The moon and its phases

Multiple Choice

What determines how long the Moon takes to complete one cycle of phases?

• the period of revolution of Earth around the Sun

• the period of revolution of the Moon around Earth

• the period of rotation of Earth around its axis

• the period of rotation of the Moon around its axis

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes a waxing gibbous moon?

• The moon has moved past the first quarter and is moving toward the full moon.

• The moon has moved past the new moon and is moving toward the first quarter.

• The moon has moved past the third quarter and is moving toward the new moon.

• The moon has moved past the full moon and is moving toward the third quarter.

Multiple Choice

The moon’s phases are the result of both its orbit around Earth and...

• the way that Earth reflects sunlight.

• the way that the moon reflects sunlight.

• Earth’s tilt on its axis.

• the moon’s tilt on its axis.

Multiple Choice

Tim and Mehar are discussing the moon’s rotation and orbit around Earth. Tim says we always see the same face of the moon from Earth. Mehar says we see different parts of the moon on different nights. Who is right?

• Tim is right because only one face of the moon can reflect sunlight; the other side cannot reflect light, so it is always dark.

• Mehar is right because the moon rotates on its axis, and as it rotates, we see different parts of it.

• Tim is right because the moon’s rotation on its axis takes exactly as much time as the moon’s orbit around Earth.

• Mehar is right because the moon does not rotate on its axis, but it does orbit Earth; as Earth moves, we see different parts of the moon.

Describe the pattern of the stars' apparent motion

• We say "apparent motion" because the orbit of Earth around the sun causes stars AND the rotation of Earth on its axis causes stars to appear to move in the night sky

• In the Northern Hemisphere (where we are), the stars appear to move east to west ; this looks like counterclockwise circles when facing north

• The North Star does NOT move; it remains a single fixed point

• are groups of stars that form patterns in the night sky

• they can be seen in specific areas of the night sky

• have a story about what it means or represents

• THEY ARE NOT ALWAYS CHANGING; constellations are fixed

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Constellations

Multiple Choice

A person in the United States is observing the night sky. If the stars appear to move down from the sky and fall below the horizon, in which direction is this person facing?

• South.

• East.

• West.

• North.

Multiple Select

Which of these statements about the stars' apparent motion in the night sky are true?

• The orbit of Earth around the sun causes stars to appear to move in the night sky.

• The orbit of stars around the sun causes stars to appear to move in the night sky.

• The rotation of Earth on its axis causes stars to appear to move in the night sky.

• The orbit of stars around the center of the galaxy causes stars to appear to move in the night sky.

Multiple Choice

In which general direction do stars appear to move across the night sky in the Northern Hemisphere?

• West to east.

• South to north.

• North to south.

• East to west.

Multiple Choice

A person in the United States is facing south while observing the night sky. In which direction will the stars appear to move?

• They will move up from the horizon and rise into the sky.

• They will move down from the sky and fall below the horizon.

• They will rotate counterclockwise around a point.

• They will move up from the left side and make an arc toward the right.

Multiple Select

Which of these statements about constellations are true?

• Each constellation has a story about what it means or represents.

• Constellations are always changing and may form new images.

• Constellations are groups of stars that can be seen in specific areas of the night sky.

• Constellations are groups of stars that form patterns in the night sky.

Describe the relationship between Earth's solar system, the Milky Way, and other galaxies in the universe

• The big bang theory explains that the iniverse becan by expanding from a much hotter and denser form

• The universe is still expanding

• It consists of BILLIONS of galaxies

• A galaxy is a system of stars, gases, dust and other matter that orbits a common center of gravity

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• The Milky Way galaxy is the central glowing region that is brighter than the area around because of the large number of stars

• Scientists believe a black hole is in the center of the Milky Way

• Gravity keeps the arms of the Mily Way spinning around its center

• Distant galaxies are moving AWAY from the Milky Way

• The Milky Way is a spiral

Multiple Choice

On a clear night away from city lights, a band of light is easily observed in the night sky. Which statement best identifies this band of light?

• It is a cloud of gas left over from the formation of the Sun.

• It is the shift of light made as stars move away from the Sun.

• It is a nearby galaxy known as the Andromeda galaxy.

• It is the Milky Way galaxy as seen from the inside.

Multiple Choice

Which list is correctly ordered from smallest to largest?

• star – solar system – galaxy – universe

• solar system – star – universe – galaxy

• universe – galaxy – star – solar system

• galaxy – star – solar system – universe

Multiple Choice

Which statement about the motion of distant galaxies relative to the Milky Way is true?

• Distant galaxies maintain a constant distance from the Milky Way.

• Distant galaxies are moving away from the Milky Way.

• Some distant galaxies are moving toward the Milky Way, while others are moving away.

• Distant galaxies are moving toward the Milky Way.

Multiple Choice

What is the shape of the Milky Way?

• Elliptical.

• Irregular (no shape).

• Spiral.

• Circular.