Astronomy Practice

Our solar system is referred to as heliocentric, that means the Earth

• rotates around the sun

• revolves around the sun

• has a moon

• has life

Which scientific theory does the model illustrate?

• Big Bang

• Geocentric

• Heliocentric

• Steady State

Students are researching different theories about how the universe appeared hundreds of years ago. They noticed that astronomers had various views about the origins of the universe and what the universe originally looked like. Students were asked to present their findings. Which of the following theories is most similar to what we know about the universe today?

• Theory 1 is most accurate because Earth does not experience any movements in the solar system and all of the other planets

• Theory 2 is most accurate because astronomers originally believed the Earth was in the center of the universe, but with more investigation learned the sun was the center of our solar system and all of the planets revolve around the Sun.

• Theory 1 is most accurate because astronomers believed the Sun was the center of our solar system and all of the planets revolve around the sun.

• Theory 2 is most accurate because astronomers originally believed the sun was in the center of the universe, but with more investigation learned the Earth was the center of our solar system and all of the planets revolve around the Sun.

Centuries ago, people believed that our solar system consisted of the earth as the center of the universe. Which of the following best summarizes the change of theories as astronomers gained new information?

• At first, astronomers thought, the Earth was at the center of the universe but now astronomers proved that the Sun is in the center of the universe by being able to explain planetary motion.

• At first, astronomers thought the Sun was at the center of the universe but now astronomers proved that the Earth is in the center of the universe by being able to explain planetary motion.

• At first, astronomers thought, the Earth was at the center of the universe but now astronomers have proved that the Earth is in the center of the universe by being able to explain planetary motion and the use of advanced technology.

• At first, astronomers thought the Sun was at the center of the universe but now astronomers proved that the Sun is in the center of the universe by being able to explain planetary motion and use of advance technology

The early Greeks are credited with many valid concepts in astronomy. Some of their theories were correct and some were later proven incorrect. One theory was that Earth was the center of the universe and that other planets circle Earth. The Greeks thought Earth did not move because its movement was not obvious from the surface of the planet. The Greeks also believed that an invisible sphere surrounding our planet contained the stars. Which of the following theories best supports what the early Greeks believed in?

• The early Greeks believed in the heliocentric theory, in which the sun was considered the center of the universe.

• The early Greeks believed in the geocentric theory, in which the sun was considered the center of the universe.

• The early Greeks believed in the heliocentric theory, in which the earth was considered the center of the universe.

• The early Greeks believed in the geocentric theory, in which the earth was considered the center of the universe.

A student is modeling the Milky Way galaxy and the position of our solar system within the galaxy. Which model shows the correct position of our solar system within the galaxy and accurately explains why that position is correct?

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A student is developing a model of the Milky Way galaxy. Which model below most accurately depicts the correct shape of the Milky Way galaxy and explains why that answer is most accurate?

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Which statement explains a reason that the description of the Milky Way galaxy and Earth's position in the Milky Way has changed over time?

• Advances in technology allowed scientists to observe the galaxy more closely over time

• More stars moved closer together inside the galaxy, making the stars easily observed by scientists over time

• The stars in the galaxy became more visible over time because scientists learned how to calculate star brightness.

• Scientists became more observant over time and were able to record the observations about the galaxy more accurately

Which of the following best compares the amount of empty space in the universe to the amount of space galaxies occupy?

• Galaxies take up about half of the space

• Galaxies take up most of the room in space

• Galaxies are less than half but more than a quarter of space

• Galaxies take up an extremely small amount of space

What do the four outer planets have in common?

• They are much larger than Earth and are solid

• They are about the same size as Earth and are solid

• They are much larger than Earth and do not have solid surfaces

• They are about the same size as Earth and do not have solid surfaces