Foundations of Astronomy

What is a "light year?"

• a distance of about 6 trillion miles (9.8 trillion km)

• the distance traveled by the speed of light in 1 year

• the time traveled by the speed of light in 1 year

• a distance of about 6 billion miles (9.8 billion km)

Why do astronomers use light years as a measurement?

• because miles & kilometers are sufficient

• it's an easier way to describe huge distances

• it's an easier way to describe large objects such as stars

• because distances in space are extremely vast

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which statement best describes constellations?

• indecipherable so-called "patterns" that kinda make sense

• stars that are fairly close to each other

• patterns of stars that resemble animals and/or other objects

• pattern of stars in the night sky that reflects a culture

The ecliptic describes the plane (or line) in which the Sun & the planets travel.

• True

• False

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is the difference between the angle of measurement terms azimuth & altitude?

• altitude is only used to describe elevation

• azimuth is a "side to side" circle; altitude is "up & down"

• azimuth is a "up & down" circle; altitude is "side to side"

• both are projections of latitude & longitude

Solstices occur when the Sun reaches the highest & lowest position in the sky. This occurs

• about once a year.

• around March 21st & Sept. 21st.

• very rarely.

• around June 21st & Dec. 21st.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

From the choices presented - which is the largest object or structure in space?

• Earth

• The Sun

• The Solar System

• The asteroid belt

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The largest single object in the solar system is ______.

• Saturn

• Jupiter

• Earth

• The Sun

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The largest structure in the entire Universe is the

• Universe itself.

• Orion Nebula.

• Milky Way Galaxy.

• Virgo Supercluster.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

The Milky Way galaxy is approximately _____ thousand light years in diameter.

• 1000

• 10

• 100

• 1

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2