Solar System Quick Check

When Earth spins, it turns around an imaginary line called a(n)

• rotation

• axis

• orbit

• ellipse

Anthony claims that the patterns of stars in the sky only appear to move, but the patterns do not change. Which piece(s) of evidence would best support this claim?

• observations that some stars can be seen in every season

• Observations that the pattern of stars in the sky stay the same although they appear to shift across the sky nightly.

• Observations that different stars appear in different seasons, but the patterns of the stars remain the same.

Which planet is an inner planet?

• Uranus

• Venus

• Saturn

• Neptune

Which planet is the solar system's largest rocky planet?

• Mars

• Earth

• Mercury

• Jupiter

Which choice best describes the parts of the Milky Way?

• Earth, its moon, the sun, and Jupiter

• Gas, dust, stars, and objects that orbit stars

• Asteroids, comets, objects that orbit stars, and the stars

• The inner planets, the outer planets, gas, and dust

Which list shows the correct order of planets from the sun?

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

• Earth, Mars, Venus, Jupiter

• Mars, Venus, Earth, Saturn

• Uranus, Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn

Brianna and Mari want to develop a model of how Earth moves in space. In their model, Brianna will represent Earth and Mari will represent the sun. Which of the following should NOT be part of Brianna and Mari's model?

• Brianna walks in a circle around Mari.

• Brianna spins in circles.

• Mari stands still.

• Mari walks in a circle around Brianna.

What do Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune have in common?

• They all have rocky surfaces.

• They all appear to be similar to Earth.

• They all are gaseous planets.

• They all appear to be made of rock and ice.

Why does the sun seem to change position in the sky?

• Earth's rotation

• Earth's orbit

• The sun's rotation

• The sun's orbit

Dylan observes a fully lit moon. When can he expect to see the moon look like this again?

• In about 12 hours

• In about 24 hours

• In about 15 days

• In about 30 days