Unit 3 Week 1: Hierarchy of the Universe (2 attempts)

Match the following vocabulary and definitions:

• a star and everything that orbits it

• solar system

• space object that emits light and heat

• universe

• gas, dust, stars and their solar systems

• galaxy

• everything; all matter, energy & space

• star

• leveled system of organization/ ranking

• hierarchy

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

To study something as vast as the universe and its structures, scientists often find it helpful to organize information in a simplified visual form. Which of the following represents structures of the universe in order from largest to smallest?

• universe → galaxy → solar system → planet

• solar system → universe → planet → galaxy

• planet → galaxy → solar system → universe

• planet → solar system → galaxy → universe

One vast structure in space is known as the Milky Way. Which of the following describes the Milky Way?

• an elliptical solar system containing thousands of planets

• an irregular universe containing billions of galaxies

• an elliptical galaxy containing a few million stars

• a spiral galaxy containing billions of stars

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Jasmine constructed the diagram to represent how Earth fits into other structures that make up our universe. Which of the following should Jasmine write on the line to best complete her diagram?

• asteroid belt

• Mars

• Milky Way

• Proxima Centauri

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

The universe is a vast place made up of many different structures. Which of the following statements best describes how two structures of the universe compare?

• A galaxy is many times smaller than the solar system.

• The solar system is many times smaller than the sun.

• Earth is many times larger than the solar system.

• The sun is many times larger than Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The Andromeda Galaxy is the nearest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way Galaxy. Which unit would best be used to represent the distance between the Milky Way Galaxy and the Andromeda Galaxy?

• astronomical unit

• kilometer

• light year

• mile