The Universe

The distances between objects in space are enormous. When miles are used to measure these distances, amounts can exceed millions. Therefore, distances in space are often measured in astronomical units (AU). The chart below provides the distances between the planets and the Sun, measured in both miles and astronomical units (AU). The units of measurement have been left off of the chart.

Which value represents the distance between Mercury and the Sun in astronomical units?

• 0.39

• 1.524

• 36 Million

• 67.2 Million

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which sentence is a true statement about the relationship between galaxies and stars?

• A galaxy contains only one star.

• A star contains only one galaxy

• A galaxy contains many stars

• A star contains many galaxies

The Sun appears larger in the sky than the stars we see at night; however, many stars are actually larger than the Sun.

Why does the Sun appear larger than other stars?

• The Sun is hotter than other stars.

• The Sun moves faster than other stars

• The Sun is closer to Earth than other stars.

• The Sun emits a brighter light than other stars

In astronomy, scientists use light-years as a unit of measurement. What does a light-year measure?

• brightness

• distance

• mass

• time

Which measurement would best be used to describe the distance between Earth and a neighboring galaxy

• astronomical units

• kilometers

• light years

• miles

The farthest galaxy discovered is 13.2 billion light years away. Which statement best represents the number of galaxies in the universe?

• There are hundreds of galaxies because the universe is very large

• There are thousands of galaxies because they are spaced so far apart

• There are millions of galaxies because some are close and some are far.

• There are billions of galaxies because they are far apart in a large universe

Which sequence correctly lists the astronomical bodies in order of size, from smallest to largest?

• the solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, our universe

• the solar system, our universe, the Milky Way galaxy

• the Milky Way galaxy, our universe, the solar system

• the Milky Way galaxy, the solar system, our universe

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The pictures below show two different models of rockets How would a scientist use these two models?

• They would use model Y to show all three sides of a rocket, and they would use model X to explain how a rocket works based on its parts.

• The would use models X and Y to show all three sides of a rocket and its actual size.

• They would use models X and Y to show a rocket's motion when it is launched

• They would use model Y to show the parts of a rocket, and they would use model X to show all three sides of a rocket and its actual size.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

Asad compared different technologies used to study the solar system and objects beyond it. He wanted to see what could be learned with each technology. Asad made a Venn diagram to compare the Hubble Space Telescope and the Mars exploration rovers. Which of these could go in the center section of the Venn diagram?

• helps scientists learn how stars form in space

• provides data that scientists cannot obtain on Earth

• helps determine whether life existed on other planets

• provides information that is used to improve life on Earth

Several students saw a streak of light suddenly shoot across part of a dark sky and then disappear. Maria said that it was a meteor, but John disagreed and said that it was a comet. Hassan decided it was an asteroid, and Sheri stated that it was a meteorite. Who was correct?

• Maria

• John

• Hassan

• Sheri