Astronomy Group Projects- Check for Understanding

Which of these statements is true concerning the Milky Way galaxy? 

• There are approximately one million stars in the Milky Way galaxy. 
• There are nine planets in the Milky Way galaxy. 
• Earth is located in the center of the Milky Way galaxy. 
• The Sun is one star that can be found in the Milky Way galaxy. 

Classification of galaxies is based on which characteristic? 

• the color of the galaxy 
• the shape of the galaxy 
• how many stars make up the galaxy 
• how many planets make up the galaxy 

Which statement is the BEST description of the Milky Way galaxy? 

• a collection of gases held together by inertia 
• a group of planets revolving around a single star 
• a collection of stars and gases with the Sun as its center 
• a group of stars, dust, and planets held together by gravity 

Which of these can be described as a system of stars, gases, dust, and other matter that orbits a common center of gravity? 

• an asteroid 
• a galaxy 
• a nebula 
• a comet 

Which statement BEST describes the relationship between Earth and the Milky Way Galaxy? 

• Earth is billions of light-years away from the Milky Way Galaxy. 
• Earth is part of a galaxy that is nearest to the Milky Way Galaxy. 
• Earth is located in the Milky Way galaxy but far from the galaxy center. 
• Earth is positioned in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. 

The Milky Way Galaxy looks like a band of light across the sky. Which observation would provide the BEST view of this band of light without a telescope? 

• observing only near the north or south pole 
• observing only during a lunar or solar eclipse 
• observing on any sunny, clear day 
• observing on any dark, clear night 

• A
• B
• C
• D

Scientists have collected data about many galaxies, including the Milky Way galaxy. What makes the Milky Way galaxy difficult to observe from Earth? 

• Earth is located inside the Milky Way galaxy. 
• The Milky Way galaxy absorbs more light than it emits. 
• The Milky Way galaxy is too distant for detailed observations. 
• Earth is moving in the opposite direction of the Milky Way galaxy. 

A scientist is searching for areas where new solar systems might form. What feature is the scientist looking for? 

• a star similar to our Sun 
• a cloud of dust and gas 
• an oxygen-rich atmosphere 
• a gravitational acceleration of 9.8 m/s2 

• The time intervals from A to B, C to D, and E to F are all equal. 
• The time interval from A to B is twice the interval from E to F. 
• The time intervals from A to B, C to D, and E to F combine to be equal to one half of a full orbit. 
• The time intervals from C to D and from E to F combine to be equal to the time interval from A to B.