Solar System Study Guide

The calendar shows the phases of the Moon each day in January, 2014. Based on the calendar, about how often is there a full moon?

• approximately every seven days

• approximately every fourteen days

• approximately every thirty days

• approximately every ninety days

The picture shows the phases of the Moon. Which table matches each letter in the graphic to the correct phase of the Moon?

• Letter W: Waxing Crescent, Letter X: Waxing Gibbous, Letter Y: Waning Gibbous, Letter Z: Waning Crescent

• Letter W: Waning Crescent, Letter X: Waning Gibbous, Letter Y: Waxing Gibbous, Letter Z: Waxing Crescent

• Letter W: Waxing Gibbous, Letter X: Waxing Crescent, Letter Y: Waning Crescent, Letter Z: Waning Gibbous

• Letter W: Waning Gibbous, Letter X: Waning Crescent, Letter Y: Waxing Crescent, Letter Z: Waxing Gibbous

Matthew wants to create a model to show how the lengths of day and night change on Earth throughout the year. He will use a foam ball for Earth and a lamp for the Sun. What three steps should Matthew follow to create a correct model?

• Step 1: hold the foam ball straight up and down to show Earth's tilt on its axis Step 2: spin the ball in place in a counterclockwise motion to show Earth's rotation Step 3: move the lamp around the rotating ball to show the Sun revolving around Earth

• Step 1: hold the foam ball at an angle to show Earth's tilt on its axis Step 2: spin the ball in place in a counterclockwise motion to show Earth's rotation Step 3: move the rotating ball around the lamp to show Earth revolving around the Sun

• Step 1: hold the foam ball at an angle to show Earth's tilt on its axis Step 2: spin the ball in place in a counterclockwise motion to show Earth's rotation Step 3: move the lamp around the rotating ball to show the Sun revolving around Earth

• Step 1: hold the foam ball straight up and down to show Earth's tilt on its axis Step 2: spin the ball in place in a counterclockwise motion to show Earth's rotation Step 3: move the rotating ball around the lamp to show Earth revolving around the Sun

Wyatt slowly spins the globe. He notes that at this time of year, Morocco would have longer days and shorter nights. What should Wyatt do to model the time of year when Morocco would have shorter days and longer nights?

• Wyatt should spin the globe faster.

• Wyatt should move the flashlight closer to the globe.

• Wyatt should change the direction that the globe is spinning.

• Wyatt should move the flashlight to the other side of the globe.

Kristin likes to look at the stars at night. She wonders why she can't see the stars in the daytime. Which of the following best explains why the stars are not visible during the day?

• The Sun is positioned between Earth and the stars during the day.

• The Moon is positioned between Earth and the stars during the day.

• The Sun is so dim that it overwhelms the light of the other stars.

• The Sun is so bright that it overwhelms the light of the other stars.

How long does it take for the Moon to orbit once around Earth?

• 12 hours

• 24 hours

• 29.5 days

• 365 days

Which of these planets is farthest from the Sun?

• Earth

• Mars

• Mercury

• Venus

If a spacecraft starts its journey in 1977 and flies past Jupiter, then Saturn, and eventually Uranus, what planet would the spacecraft fly past next?

• Mars

• Mercury

• Venus

• Neptune

What is the reason that a constellation appears to move across the night sky?

• Earth's revolution around the Sun

• Earth's rotation on its axis

• the tilt of Earth's axis

• the movement of stars, not Earth

What does a telescope do?

• measures the temperature of things

• measures the weight of things

• shows things that are far away

• shows things that are close up