The Universe and Stars

Which statement best describes stars?

• large planets that are composed mostly of gas
• celestial bodies made of gas that give off light
• faint dots of light that can be seen from Earth's surface
• objects that form in the outer parts of the solar system

Two stars have the same apparent magnitude as seen from Earth's surface.  Star A is 33 light years away. Star B is 346 light years away. Which of the following statements is true?

• Star B is larger than Star A
• Star B is more luminous (more true brightness) than Star A
• The stars have the same absolute magnitude
• None of the above

Which of the following terms is the same as absolute magnitude?

• apparent magnitude
• luminosity
• light year
• temperature

Which of the following star colors would have the highest surface temperature?

• red
• yellow
• white
• blue

An astronomer uses a telescope to observe a star.  She observes that the color of this star is similar to the color of the sun.  Therefore, she infers that the star and the sun have similar sizes and surface temperatures.  Using this information, what can the astronomer conclude about the star?

• the star is a medium sized star
• the star is a white dwarf
• the star is hotter than most other stars in the galaxy
• the star is bigger than most other stars in the galaxy

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Galaxies contain stars, gas, and dust.  What is responsible for holding all of this matter together?

• heat
• light
• gravity
• friction

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which of the following terms is a measure of how bright a star appears to be as seen from Earth's surface?

• luminosity
• apparent magnitude
• absolute magnitude
• solar radii

A light-year (ly) is the distance that light travels in one year. If a star is 3 ly from Earth, how long does it take light from that star to reach Earth? (SC.8.E.5.1)

• 3 minutes
• 3 hours
• 3 years
• 3 light years

Celestial bodies can be classified based on their sizes. Which of the following is the smallest? (SC.8.E.5.3)

• a planet
• the sun
• a red supergiant
• none of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The Sun, Earth, seven other planets and smaller bodies make up our. . .(SC.8.E.5.3)

• Constellation
• Solar system
• Universe
• Galaxy

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3