Cosmic Phenomena

When the Hubble Space telescope was first launched, it was the most advanced technology of its kind. Astronomers and astrophysicists all over the world celebrated its launch. Why was this event so important to these scientists?

• Hubble provided a new way to study Earth's atmosphere.

• Hubble proved that we could launch a telescope into space.

• Hubble provided scientists with data about the Universe they had previously been unable to collect.

• Hubble was able to collect physical samples from celestial bodies they had previously been unable to reach.

What is gravitational lensing?

• The distortion of light passing through curved spacetime

• The difference in gravity between a planet and a star

• A lens in space that focuses light for astronomers to observe

• The effect that gravity has on all lens on Earth

Answer explanation

Gravitational lensing is the distortion of light passing through curved spacetime, not a difference in gravity between a planet and a star or a lens in space that focuses light for astronomers to observe.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Why is the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation considered as the 'afterglow' of the Big Bang?

• It is the light emitted by the first stars

• It is a remnant heat from the Big Bang, stretched to microwave frequencies

• It is the radiation emitted by black holes

• It is the result of cosmic rays colliding with the Earth's atmosphere

Answer explanation

The cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation is considered as the 'afterglow' of the Big Bang because it is a remnant heat from the Big Bang, stretched to microwave frequencies.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

Because of the Universe EXPANDING, what has happened to the first flash of light (CMB) over the years?

• The wavelength shrank

• The wavelength stretched

• The wavelength is no longer detectable

• Nothing has happened to the CMB

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The wavelength stretched' because as the Universe expands, the wavelength of the first flash of light (CMB) has stretched over the years.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

Why do astronomers use type 1A supernovae to measure distance?

• Type 1A supernovae have consistent peak luminosity.

• Type 1A supernovae are the smallest type of supernova.

• Type 1A supernovae are the most common type of supernova.

• Type 1A supernovae are only visible during the day.

Answer explanation

Astronomers use type 1A supernovae to measure distance because they have consistent peak luminosity, making them reliable standard candles for distance calculations.

How did the universe originate?

• An alternate universe that was reborn

• A single point of energy that expanded

• From an inverted black hole

• A ball of atoms

Answer explanation

The universe originated from a single point of energy that expanded, known as the Big Bang theory.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

What color of light is emitted by galaxies moving away from us?

• Blue

• Pink

• Yellow

• Red

Answer explanation

Galaxies moving away from us exhibit redshift, causing the light they emit to shift towards the red end of the spectrum, hence appearing red.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

What do the dense and less dense regions of the CMB match with in the present universe?

• Black holes and supernovas

• Stars and planets

• Groups of galaxies and empty areas of space

• Dark matter and dark energy

Answer explanation

The dense and less dense regions of the CMB match with groups of galaxies and empty areas of space in the present universe.

What percent of the universe is dark matter?

• 5%

• 10%

• 25%

• 70%

Answer explanation

Dark matter makes up approximately 25% of the universe, hence the correct answer is 25%.

What creates gravity?

• A center of mass in large spherical objects

• The rippling of spacetime due to the spinning of celestial objects

• Law of electrostatic attraction

• The curvature of spacetime due to the mass of matter

Answer explanation

Gravity is created by a center of mass in large spherical objects, which causes a curvature in spacetime due to the mass of matter.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4