Amplify: Patterns of Earth and Sky

Why does the sky look different in each nighttime section of the artifact?

• The Earth's rotation, so we see different constellations every day.

• The Earth orbits around the Sun, so we see different constellations throughout the year.

• The Earth does not move, but the constellations move across the sky.

• The Earth sometimes spins and other times goes around the sun.

Answer explanation

The correct choice explains that as the Earth orbits the Sun, our view of the night sky changes, revealing different constellations throughout the year, unlike the other options which misrepresent the movement of the Earth and stars.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The nighttime section of the artifact shows other stars, but not the sun. Why is the sun up sometimes, but not other times?

• Because of the Earth's rotation, causing different parts of the Earth to face the sun at different times.

• Because the Earth orbits around the sun, appearing in different places at different times.

• Because the sun is only visible during certain seasons of the year.

• Because the sun is blocked by the moon at night.

Answer explanation

The sun is visible at different times due to the Earth's rotation. As the Earth spins, various locations face the sun, resulting in day and night. This explains why the sun is up sometimes and not at other times.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Should the team at the Museum of Archelogy call the dig site right now? Why or why not?

• Yes, they should call the dig site now, it is daytime there because the dig site is facing the sun.

• Yes, they should call the dig site now, the scientists have enough information to dig.

• No, they should not call the dig site now, it is nighttime there. The dig site is facing away from the sun.

• No, they should not call the dig site now, the scientists do not have enough information to dig.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is that they should not call the dig site now because it is nighttime there. The dig site is facing away from the sun, indicating that it is not the right time for communication.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

People draw imaginary lines between stars to make shapes like animals. What are these called?

• star lines

• constellations

• supernovas

• artifacts

What is the term for the path that Earth follows around the Sun?

• Orbit

• Axis

• Trajectory

• Ellipse

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Which of the following is a pattern of stars that is recognized in the night sky?

• Galaxy

• Constellation

• Nebula

• Cluster

What causes the different phases of the Moon as observed from Earth?

• The Moon's rotation on its axis

• The Earth's shadow on the Moon

• The Moon's position relative to Earth and the Sun

• The distance of the Moon from Earth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which of the following best explains why we experience seasons on Earth?

• The Earth's distance from the Sun changes

• The tilt of the Earth's axis

• The Earth's rotation speed

• The Sun's varying energy output

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What is the imaginary line called that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?

• Prime Meridian

• Equator

• Tropic of Cancer

• Tropic of Capricorn

Which of the following is true about the Sun's position at noon?

• It is always directly overhead

• It is highest in the sky during summer

• It is lowest in the sky during winter

• It is always at the same height

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1