Astronomy Review - 04 - Our Place in Space

Cepheid variables are examples of standard candles, stars whose intrinsic brightness we know for certain. 

• True
• False

Astronomers often use redshift to determine the distances to other planets in our solar system.

• True

• False

A scale model of the solar system is a useful way to show both the sizes of planets AND the distances between them at the same time. 

• True
• False

The Milky Way is part of the Laniakea Supercluster

• True
• False

Earth is the third planet form the Sun and the only planet known to harbor life. 

• True
• False

The distance from Mars to the Sun is approximately ______.

• 1 Astronomical Units
• 1.5 Light Years
• 1 Light Year
• 1.5 Astronomical Units

Consider two stars (Stars A and B) that both exhibit parallax. If Star A appears to move back and forth by a greater amount than Star B, which star is closer to you?

• Star A 
• Star B
• Both are at an equal distance
• More information is needed

What unit of measurement does 9.46x10₁₂ km represent?

• the diameter of the Moon
• 1 Astronomical Unit
• 1 Light-Year
• the diameter of the Sun

Where is our solar system located within the Milky Way Galaxy?

• very near the center of the galaxy
• in the halo of the galaxy
• the far edge of the galaxy's visible disk
• roughly half way between the center and and the edge of the disk

The distance between the Sun and Earth about 110 times the diameter of the Sun. If you were to use a 12-inch basketball to represent the Sun, how far away would it have to be from the Earth to be an accurate scale model?

• 30-feet
• 10-feet
• 110-feet
• 1-foot