Star Classifications

A student classifies stars using the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

One star has an intrinsic brightness similar to Rigel and a surface temperature similar to Spica. What is the star’s classification?

• Main Sequence

• Supergiant

• Red Giant

• White Dwarf

A newly discovered star was determined to be of similar surface temperature and intrinsic brightness as the sun. Based on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram in question #1, what is a prediction for the color of this star?

• Blue

• White

• Red

• Yellow

All of the following are advantages to using the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram EXCEPT —

• it gives information about the ages of stars

• it gives information about the brightness of stars

• it gives information about the stars’ distances from Earth

• it gives information about the colors of stars

A student sketches the following galaxies in a notebook. How should the student label each of the galaxies?

• A-Irregular, B-Spiral, C-Elliptical

• A-Elliptical, B-Circular, C-Irregular

• A-Spiral, B-Irregular, C-Elliptical

• A-Spiral, B-Elliptical, C-Irregular

Which component of the universe contains a greater amount of mass?

• Nebula, because it is a thick cloud of dust and gases

• Galaxy, because it is a grouping of stars, gases, and dust held together by gravity

• Star, because it is a huge ball of gases giving off heat and light

• Planet, because it is a solid sphere orbiting a star

A science teacher challenges the class to produce a realistic model of a galaxy. Which materials would be the best choice for the model?

• Lima beans

• Sugar granules

• Pinto beans

• Rice

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

Astronomers studying our galaxy have recently discovered areas of the galaxy where massive new stars are forming. Which tools aid the astronomers’ research?

• 1 and 3 only

• 2 & 5 only

• 3 and 4 only

• 4 & 5 only

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

Which phase at the beginning of a star's life can be described as an interstellar cloud of dust with hydrogen and helium gases?

• Main Sequence

• Black hole

• Protostar

• Nebula

Which is NOT a component of galaxies?

• Universe

• Stars

• Dust

• Planets

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Hertzsprung and Russell based their diagram on scientific evidence. The diagram is very important to the scientific community because it helps astronomers classify stars. Many astronomers use the diagram to-

• learn more about the field of astronomy

• explain how galaxies behave

• determine temperatures of nebulae

• organize information and analyze patterns