Astronomy Quiz

The fifth grade class learned that there are differences among the stars in the universe. Which statement best describes the Sun?

• It is the star that is orbiting Earth.

• It is the star that is closest to Earth.

• It is one of the oldest stars in the universe.

• It is one of the largest stars in the universe.

Tags

NGSS.5-ESS1-1

Scientists measure distance to the stars in light-years. Which correctly describes a light-year?

• the brightness level of the starlight reaching Earth

• the length of time a star has been sending out light

• how far light can travel in one year

• how many years it would take to travel to a particular star

A student reads that the star Vega is much brighter and farther from Earth than the Sun. It is twice as large as the Sun. The student observes that Vega appears smaller and dimmer than the Sun from the surface of Earth. Which difference between the stars best explains the student’s observation?

• the difference in the brightness of the stars

• the difference in the sizes of the stars

• the difference in the distance of the stars from each other

• the difference in the distances of the stars from Earth

Wolf 359 is one of the stars nearest to the solar system. Which object in the solar system is most like Wolf 359?

• Mercury

• Venus

• Earth

• the Sun

Earth is tilted as it travels around the Sun. The tilt changes the amount of energy each area gets from the Sun, which makes some months of the year warmer than others. What are the four main temperature changes in a year called?

• seasons

• climate

• weather

• quarters

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Three students examine a model of Earth and the Sun. The students each give an explanation for why Earth experiences seasons. Student 1: The tilt of Earth toward and away from the Sun causes seasons. Student 2: The revolution of Earth around the Sun causes seasons. Student 3: The entire Earth moves closer to the Sun in the summer and farther away in the winter. Which student(s) is (are) correct?

• Student 1 only

• Student 3 only

• Student 1 and Student 2

• Student 2 and Student 3

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which is caused by the tilt of Earth on its axis?

• day and night

• stormy weather

• high and low tide

• season changes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which is the best explanation for the difference in seasons between Point 1 and Point 2?

• Point 2 is farther from the Sun than Point 1.

• Point 2 receives less direct sunlight than Point 1.

• Oceans cool the air faster at Point 2 than Point 1.

• The atmosphere is thinner at Point 2 than at Point 1.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

A child points a telescope at one location in the night sky. The child looks through the telescope at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 11:00 p.m. on Sunday. Why is what the child sees at 11:00 p.m. on Sunday different from the other two days?

• A) Earth is in a different location in space each day, so different stars are seen.

• B) As Earth rotates on its axis, the stars appear to move across the sky.

• C) The stars the child can see through the telescope revolve around the Sun.

• D) Stars appear to change locations in the sky when the seasons change.

Which statement best explains the changes in position of Ursa Minor throughout the year?

• It revolves around the Sun in the same direction as Earth.

• It is located very close to Earth, so it is visible throughout the year.

• It appears at different positions in the sky throughout the year as it orbits the Sun.

• It appears to rotate and never set as Earth rotates on its axis.