Earth's Place in the Universe Review

Some scientists study the revolution of the Moon very closely and have recently suggested that the Moon is gradually moving away from Earth. Which statement below would be a prediction of how this motion might affect Earth in the distant future?

• The moon would collide with Earth.

• The ocean tides would get weaker.

• This motion would not affect Earth.

• The Moon phases would change at a faster rate

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The distance between the Sun and the next closest star, Proxima Centuari, is MOST accurately measured in

• Magnitudes

• Light-years

• Redshifts

• Perigees

Astronomers measure distances using very large units called light years. Which distance between celestial objects would MOST LIKELY be measured in light years?

• Distance between the Sun and Moon.

• Distance between the Moon and Earth.

• Distance between two stars in the same galaxy.

• Distance between two planets in the same solar system.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

In which structure is the Sun located?

• Milky Way galaxy

• Andromeda galaxy

• Cat’s Eye nebula

• Horseshoe nebula

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Emily is preparing a model of the solar system for her science class. She gathers four objects to represent Mercury, Jupiter, Earth and the Sun. The objects are represented in the table. Which of the objects would BEST represent Mercury in Emily’s model?

• Grain of sand

• Small pebble

• Marble

• Basketball

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

What does “light year” refer to?

• The distance light travels in one Earth year

• The distance between the Sun and the center of the galaxy

• The amount of time it takes light to travel from the Sun to Earth

• The amount of light required for photosynthesis on Earth in one year

The arrows in the diagram below show how the Sun’s rays hit Earth. Each part of the dashed line on Earth shows an area lit by an equal amount of sunlight. Which statement accurately describes the strength of the sunlight?

• The light is strongest at Z and weakest at Y

• The light is strongest at Z and weakest at X

• The light is strongest at X and weakest at Z

• The light is strongest at X and weakest at Y

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A student learns that one year on Mercury is about 88 Earth days. This means that it takes Mercury 88 Earth days to

• Travel in orbit around its moon

• Complete one rotation on its axis

• Switch orbits with the nearest planet.

• Make one complete orbit around the Sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

In which way is the orbit of a comet different from the orbit of Earth?

• The orbit of Earth is less circular than the orbit of a comet

• The orbit of comet is more elliptical that the orbit of Earth

• The orbital period of Earth is much longer than the orbital period of a comet

• The orbital period of a comet is more predictable than the orbital period of Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

A meteoroid becomes a meteorite when it

• Impacts the surface of a planet

• Encounters the atmosphere of a planet

• Makes a compete orbit around a planet

• Starts to burn up in the atmosphere of a planet.