STAAR Questions in Science

An astronomer observes several items in the night sky and writes down their approximate distance from Earth. What is mostly likely Object #3? 

• a planet, probably Jupiter or Saturn
  
• a nearby star relatively close to our solar system 
• a comet
  
• another galaxy 

Using the chart in Question 1, what is most likely Object #2. 

• Venus
  
• a nearby star relatively close to our solar system 
• a black hole near the center of the Milky Way 
• another galaxy 

The following picture is the Horsehead Nebula and is located about 1,500 light years from Earth in the constellation Orion. What is most likely occurring in the Horsehead Nebula? 

• new star formation 
• formation of black holes 
• star explosions like supernovas 
• the birth of new galaxies 

The stars we see at night are: 

• in the Milky Way galaxy
  
• in the solar system
  
• in galaxies other than the Milky Way 
• both A and C 

Use this model of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to answer question. 
An astronomer discovers a new star that is very hot, but not very bright. What type of star did she discover? 

• a red giant
  
• a young star on the main sequence 
• an old star on the main sequence 
• a white dwarf 

 Our Sun is a middle-aged star with an average temperature and brightness. What type of star is our Sun according to the Hertzburg-Russell diagram? 

• a white dwarf
  
• a red giant
  
• a star on the upper left portion on the main sequence 
• a star in the middle of the main sequence 

As a normal, averaged-size star progresses through its life cycle, what change will it undergo? 

• it becomes cooler
  
• it gets smaller
  
• it becomes brighter 
• its gravity increases 

Which of the following galaxies is most like our own Milky Way? 

• A
• B
• C
• D

Looking at the answer choices in Question#8, which answer choice could best be classified as an asymmetrical galaxy? 

• Galaxy A
• Galaxy B
• Galaxy C
• Galaxy D

 Pulsars are dense, rotating stars that emit strong electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength around 6 mm. Using the chart below, what type of telescope would be best suited for observing pulsars? 

• radio telescopes 
• infrared telescopes 
• optical telescopes 
• ultraviolet telescopes