Earth/Space Science SSA Quiz Prep

Use the table that lists the distances of astronomical bodies from our Sun to help you answer the following question.

Using our current space travel technology, which astronomical body would we be MOST LIKELY to visit first during your lifetime?

• Charon

• Proxima Centauri

• Vesta

• Wolf 359

Answer explanation

Light years (LYs) measure longer distances than astronomical units (AUs). Therefore, Vesta is the closest because it is only 2.5 AUs away and the most probable to visit.

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SC.8.E.5.3 Vastness of the Universe

Jeannie reads that light from the North Star, called Polaris takes 434 years to reach us on Earth. Why does it take the light from Polaris so long to reach us on Earth?

• Most of the light from Polaris is absorbed by different objects in space.

• Light from Polaris travels a vast distance before it reaches Earth.

• It is difficult for light to pass through the Earth’s atmosphere.

• Light slows down as it travels through space.

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SC.8.E.5.3 Vastness of the Universe

Antonio is attempting to sketch all of the stars in the Milky Way galaxy for science class. His friend comments that it will not be possible to create an accurate sketch. Why is a sketch NOT appropriate for representing all of the stars in the Milky Way?

• The Milky Way contains a black hole at the center, which he cannot accurately represent

• Antonio needs to use a three dimensional model in order to represent the stars

• The Milky Way contains billions of stars, which he cannot show using a sketch

• Antonio needs to graph all of the stars in a diagram based on their luminosity

SC.8.E.5.7 Solar System

If you were to observe the Moon through a telescope, you would see many dark impact craters from meteoroids. The Moon is relatively close to the Earth and is also in the path of these meteoroids. Why is the Earth’s surface not covered by the same impact craters?

• The Earth has a thick atmosphere that protects it.

• The Moon’s gravity is greater than the Earth’s gravity.

• The Moon’s atmosphere is made of carbon dioxide, unlike ours.

• The Earth has an electromagnetic field to protect it from rocks.

SC.8.E.5.7 Solar System

The planets in our Solar System share some similarities, but their differences often outnumber the similarities. For example, one day on Neptune is only about 16.1 hours, and while Earth and Neptune both have natural satellites, Earth has only one moon, while Neptune has 13. Which of the following is also an accurate comparison of Earth and Neptune?

• Neptune has a more solid surface than Earth.

• Earth has a shorter period of revolution than Neptune.

• Neptune has a longer period of rotation than Earth.

• Earth has a lower average temperature than Neptune.

SC.8.E.5.7 Solar System

Teresa is studying the Solar System. She learns that Jupiter has 18 named moons as well as many small unnamed ones, and that Earth has just one moon. Which of the following best explains why Jupiter has so many more moons than Earth?

• Jupiter is much farther away from the Sun than Earth, so it attracts more moons.

• Jupiter has a much greater mass, and therefore a greater gravitational pull, than Earth.

• Jupiter has a thicker, denser atmosphere than Earth, and it condenses rock particles to form moons.

• Jupiter is so much colder than Earth that clumps of ice form moons in its upper atmosphere more readily.

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SC.8.E.5.5 Stars and Sun

The stars, Rigel and Betelgeuse, are both found in the constellation Orion. Rigel is a blue supergiant, and Betelgeuse is a red supergiant. Which of the following correctly compares the temperatures of Rigel and Betelgeuse?

• Rigel is hotter than Betelgeuse, because blue stars are hotter than red stars.

• Betelgeuse is hotter than Rigel, because red stars are hotter than blue stars.

• Rigel and Betelgeuse are close to the same temperature, because they are both supergiants.

• Betelgeuse and Rigel are close to the same temperature, because they are about the same distance from the Sun.

SC.8.E.5.5 Stars and Sun

Amy wonders how scientists are able to tell the temperature of stars when many of them are many light years away. Which of the following statements best describes how temperatures can be measured by scientists on Earth?

• The apparent brightness based on a star’s distance from Earth.

• Stars with lower solar radii will have higher temperatures.

• Stars with higher absolute magnitudes will be hotter.

• The star’s color on the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum.

SC.8.E.5.5 Stars and Sun

Cara is building a model of the solar system, which includes the Sun. She plans to include a written description to provide details about each piece in her model. In order for her model to be realistic, which of the following should she include in her representation of the Sun?

• She should show that sunspots can be seen as white areas on the Sun's surface.

• She should explain that the Sun is made up of gaseous layers that surround an iron core.

• She should show that the Sun revolves around the planets, determining the length of year.

• She should explain that the Sun rotates, even though different parts rotate at different rates.

SC.8.E.5.9 Seasons & Moon Phases

One of Earth’s characteristics is that it experiences seasons. Higher temperatures result in summer and lower temperatures result in winter. Why does the Earth experience seasons?

• Temperatures on Earth vary from one location to another, causing seasons.

• Cloud cover is heavier in the winter, blocking radiation from the Sun and creating seasons.

• As Earth revolves around the Sun, the hemisphere that is tilted toward the Sun receives more direct sunlight, causing seasons.

• Earth’s orbit around the Sun is elliptical, and Earth is farther from the Sun in winter, resulting in seasons.

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