Intro to Astronomy, Part 1: the Earth & Moon

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Question 1: Do we have sunrise and sunset because the Sun goes around the Earth?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

No. The Earth rotates (spins) on its axis which gives the appearance of the Sun moving. 

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Is the Earth flat?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

No. The Earth is round, like a ball. Astronomers call that shape a sphere.

Are shadows longest when the Sun is directly overhead, such as around noon?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

No. They are shortest when the Sun is directly overhead and longest towards the ends of the daylight (dawn and dusk).

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On Earth, does gravity pull objects towards the same place regardless of where someone is standing?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Yes. Gravity pulls objects towards the center of the Earth.

Are “shooting stars” an example of stars going around the Earth?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Those are small space rocks (such as meteors) burning up in the atmosphere.

Does gravity keep the Moon orbiting the Earth?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Yes. Gravity keeps the Moon orbiting the Earth.

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Is moonlight just sunlight that has been reflected by the Moon’s surface?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

Yes. Planets and moons do not make any natural light (the Earth has light because we use light-bulbs, but those are not natural).

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When there is a half-moon, does that mean that half of the Moon is gone?

• No

• Yes

Answer explanation

No. Some of the Moon is not visible to us when a given surface is facing away from the Sun. But the whole moon is always present.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1