SSA Stars Review Plus

What evidence would the scientist need to collect to show that her hypothesis is correct?

• the strength of all of the solar flares that have happened since 1859

• experiments which connect old telegraph machines to new technology

• temperature data of the Earth during solar flares in the past

• experiments with high radiation pointed at modern technology

The Sun affects the Earth in ways besides solar storms. For example, the Sun’s gravitational pull acts on Earth’s oceans to affect the tides. During what part of the lunar cycle does the Sun reduce the effect of the Moon  on Earth’s oceans?

• when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth

• when the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other

• when the Moon and Sun are on opposite sides of Earth

• only during solar and lunar eclipses

Our understanding of solar activity and its effects on Earth may change as new evidence or information is discovered. Which of the following would NOT be a result of new scientific research and information?

• Scientists add another type of particle to the list of radioactive particles emitted by solar flares

• Scientists identify Earth’s gravitational pull as the cause of solar flares

• Engineers find additional evidence that the amount of damage to satellite microchips is determined by the intensity of the solar flare

• Engineers develop an instrument that can be used to investigate the properties of the Sun’s core

Scientists have determined that the star on the left is actually much brighter than the star on the right. What may best explain this difference between observation and reality?

• Iota Canis Majoris must be much smaller than Sirius

• Sirius is much closer to Earth than Iota Canis Majoris

• Iota Canis Majoris must have been dimmer in the past

• Sirius must create a lot more visible light compared to Iota Canis Majoris

Iota Canis Majoris has an apparent brightness of 4.36, while Sirius has an apparent brightness of -1.46. Even so, Sirius seems much brighter because it is much closer to Earth. If Sirius and Iota Canis Majoris were the same distance from Earth, which of the following statements would be true

• Iota Canis Majoris would appear to be smaller than Sirius

• Iota Canis Majoris would appear to be much brighter than Sirius

• Sirius would appear to be brighter than Iota Canis Majoris

• Sirius would appear to be hotter than Iota Canis Majoris

A student made a model of the Sun. The model had six layers: the core, the radiative zone, the convective zone, the photosphere, the chromosphere, and finally the outermost layer, the corona. How would models of Sirius and Iota Canis Majoris be similar?

• Since the Sun, Sirius, and Iota Canis Majoris are stars, all three models would have the same layers

• Since the Sun, Sirius, and Iota Canis Majoris are the same temperature, all three models would be the same color

• Since the Sun, Sirius, and Iota Canis Majoris are the same size, all three models would be the same size

• There would be no similarities because all three stars have different structures

Based on the diagram, which star is brighter than our Sun but has a lower temperature?

• Sirius A

• Aldebaran

• Sirius B

• Alpha Centauri B

Viewed from Earth, a small, faint star may look the same as a larger, bright star that is farther away. The stars listed below all have the same apparent magnitude. Which star has the highest absolute magnitude?

• a star 5 light-years from Earth

• a star 71 light-years from Earth

• a star 104 light-years from Earth

• a star 246 light-years from Earth

Which statement is best supported by the data shown in the diagram on the previous page?

• Colder stars are more luminous

• Larger stars are dimmer

• Smaller stars are colder

• Brighter stars are hotter

What is the difference between absolute brightness and apparent magnitude?

• Absolute brightness is the total amount of light emitted by the star and apparent magnitude is what color it appears

• Absolute magnitude is how brightly stars are shining, while apparent magnitude is how bright they look from Earth

• Absolute brightness is the core temperature and apparent magnitude is how bright it looks from Earth

• Absolute brightness is the star’s color and apparent magnitude is how bright it looks from Earth