Reach for the Stars Division B Science Olympiad

What is the name of this?

• RR Lyrae

• Hulse-Taylor Pulsar

• Dual Pulsar

• Sirius

Answer explanation

The Hulse-Taylor Pulsar is a binary pulsar system discovered in 1974, known for its significant contributions to the understanding of gravitational waves and general relativity, making it the correct choice among the options.

What kind of celestial body is this?

• Pulsar

• Star

• Planetary system

• Nebula

Answer explanation

A pulsar is a highly magnetized rotating neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation. It is distinct from other celestial bodies like stars, planetary systems, and nebulae, making it the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

What constellation is this located in?

• Aquila

• Aquarius

• Canis Major

• Piscus

Answer explanation

The correct answer is Aquila, which is a constellation in the northern sky. It is known for its bright star Altair and represents an eagle. The other options, Aquarius, Canis Major, and Piscis, are different constellations.

What star is this?

• Rigel

• Vega

• Procyon

• Sirius

Answer explanation

Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the night sky. It is part of the constellation Canis Major and is often confused with other bright stars like Vega and Rigel, but it is distinctly brighter.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

What constellation is this star from?

• Orion

• Ursa Major

• Taurus

• Canis Major

Answer explanation

The star in question belongs to the constellation Canis Major, which is known for containing Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. The other options, Orion, Ursa Major, and Taurus, are distinct constellations.

This star is blue, does that mean it's hotter or colder?

• Hot

• Cold

Answer explanation

A blue star indicates a higher temperature compared to other stars. The color spectrum shows that blue stars are among the hottest, making the correct answer 'Hot'.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

What is the name of this?

• Cartwheel Nebula

• Betelgeuse

• Mira

• Cassiopeia A

Answer explanation

Cassiopeia A is a well-known supernova remnant in the constellation Cassiopeia, making it the correct answer. The other options are stars or nebulae, not remnants.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

A star's spectral class is it's what?

• color

• brightness

• shape

• location

Answer explanation

A star's spectral class primarily indicates its color, which is determined by its temperature. The classification system, such as O, B, A, F, G, K, M, reflects the color spectrum from blue to red.

What is a Schwarzschild radius?

• The distance from a black hole to its event horizon.

• The radius of a star.

• The radius at which an object becomes a black hole.

• The point at which light can escape a black hole.

Answer explanation

The Schwarzschild radius is the critical radius at which an object collapses into a black hole. Beyond this radius, not even light can escape, defining the event horizon. Thus, it is the radius at which an object becomes a black hole.

• Schwarzschild radius

• The lifetime of a star

• The radius of a star

• Escape velocity

Answer explanation

The formula r_s = \frac{2GM}{c^2} calculates the Schwarzschild radius, which defines the radius of a black hole's event horizon based on its mass (M), the gravitational constant (G), and the speed of light (c).

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4