Sun and Stars (5.5-5.6)

One physical property of a star is apparent magnitude. Which of the following is used in determining the apparent magnitude of a star?

• A. the constellation the star is in

• B. the distance the star is from Earth

• C. the number of times the star rotates

• D. the number of prominences the star makes

Eduardo observes the stars through his telescope. He states that the star Regulus is brighter than the star Rigel. In reality, Rigel has a greater absolute brightness than Regulus. What can explain Eduardo’s observation?

• A. Rigel and Regulus are the same temperature.

• B. Regulus is much closer to Earth than Rigel.

• C. Rigel is much closer to Earth than Regulus.

• D. Regulus is a cooler star than Rigel.

The chart below displays the names of different stars and their colors. Star’s name Color Aldebaran Orange Spica Blue Antares Red Sun Yellow Which of the groups below best orders the stars from hottest to coolest?

• A. Antares, Spica, Sun, Aldebaran

• B. Sun, Spica, Antares, Aldebaran

• C. Spica, Sun, Aldebaran, Antares

• D. Antares, Aldebaran, Sun, Spica

Which of the following statements accurately describes the sun? A. The Sun rotates at the same rate at its poles and equator. B. The Sun rotates slower at its equator. C. The Sun rotates slower at its poles. D. The Sun does not rotate

• A. The Sun rotates at the same rate at its poles and equator.

• B. The Sun rotates slower at its equator.

• C. The Sun rotates slower at its poles.

• D. The Sun does not rotate

The picture below is of the Sun. What is the name of the object indicated by the arrow?

• A. Core

• B. Solar flare

• C. Sunspot

• D. Solar prominence

Which statement best describes stars?

• large planets that are composed mostly of gases

• celestial bodies made up of gas that give off light

• faint dots of light that can be seen from Earth’s surface

• objects that form in the outer parts of the solar system

What information do we need to calculate the absolute magnitude of a star?

• color and temperature of the star

• color and composition of the star

• apparent magnitude and distance from Earth of the star

• color and distance from Earth of the star

What characteristic of stars is measured by luminosity?

• brightness

• size

• temperature

• distance from Earth

Which one of these conclusions can be drawn based on the graph?

• Absolute magnitude is not related to the color of a star.

• Blue stars are farther from Earth than red stars.

• Blue stars are generally more luminous than red stars.

• A blue star will appear brighter from Earth’s surface than a red star.

In Science class, students were asked to arrange a group of astronomical bodies from largest to smallest. Four of the lists created are shown below.

After reading all of the groups lists, the teacher stated that no group had the accurate order. The students began to argue about how to correct their lists. Which statement best states how a group could change their list to produce the correct sequence of objects?

• A. Group 1: Since Jupiter is larger than a main sequence star, these two objects should switch places.

• B. Group 2: Objects are listed from smallest to largest so the list just needs to be flipped.

• C. Group 3: A nebula is smaller than a galaxy and a main sequence star so it needs to be moved above Jupiter.

• D. Group 4: Jupiter is smaller than a galaxy and by switching these two objects the list becomes correctly ordered.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3