Space Exploration PAT Prep

Which of the following statements describes the current model of the solar system?

• The Sun orbits planets and the Moon orbits Earth.

• The Sun orbits planets and Earth orbits the Moon.

• Planets orbit the Sun and the Moon orbits Earth.

• Planets orbit the Sun and Earth orbits the Moon.

To physically locate the star, Peggy must face north, turn __i__ , and look above the horizon at an angle of __ii__ .

The words that correctly complete the blanks are...

• clockwise 45^o, 32^o

• counterclockwise 45^o , 32^o 

• clockwise 32^o , 45^o 

• counterclockwise 32^o , 45^o 

List the parts of the universe above in order from the part with the smallest diameter to the part with the largest diameter.

(a)  

Which satellite in the diagram above can transmit signals over the greatest area of Earth’s surface?

• Satellite W

• Satellite X

• Satellite Y

• Satellite Z

Astronomers conduct spectral analysis to

• see images in space that are not distorted by Earth’s atmosphere

• observe celestial bodies that were previously invisible

• map the location of celestial bodies in the sky

• determine the composition of stars

The best baseline to determine the distance between the unknown star and the Sun shown above will be established when Earth is in positions W and

• V

• X

• Y

• Z

The Hubble Space Telescope produces clearer images than similar telescopes that are used on Earth because

• the Hubble Space Telescope is in orbit at a distance of about 550 km from Earth

• the Hubble Space Telescope is closer to the stars that it is viewing

• there is no interference from Earth’s atmosphere in space

• there is no air pressure in space

Based on the information above, the number of sunspots that are expected to be observed in 2006 is

• 15

• 35

• 40

• 50

Based on the information above, the manipulated (independent) variable is the

• year

• number of sunspots observed

• solar flares and coronal mass ejections

• time between solar maximums and solar minimums

Which of the following technologies provides the least information about celestial bodies in our solar system?

• Telescope

• Remote sensing

• Spectral analysis

• Global positioning system