Assessment: Brightness of Stars

6. Why does the Sun appear brighter than other stars?

• The Sun is closer to Earth than other stars.
• Other stars are actually brighter, but we can't see them clearly.
• The Sun is made of different materials than other stars.
• The Sun reflects light from the moon, making it appear brighter.

7. True or false: stars give off their own light.

• True
• False

8. We use light-years as a unit to measure distance in space. Three students estimated the distance of each star from Earth. Which student’s estimate is most accurate?

Look at the board for the picture the students were looking at.

• Student 1
• Student 2
• Student 3

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

9. Based on your answer to question 8 and what we know about the unit light-years (and Astronomical Units), which of the following is a reasonable estimate of the distance between the Sun and Earth?

• Less than 1 light year
• 8 light years
• 13 light years
• More than 25 light years

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

10. Which of the following is the biggest factor that would impact the apparent brightness (how bright the stars look from our location on Earth) of stars?

• Brighter stars are larger and emit more light because they are supergiants.

• Brighter stars are closer to Earth, so they seem the brightest because of their distance.

• Brightness of stars is determined by how many colors there are.

• Brighter stars are hotter and have more energy than dim stars.

What are stars?

• A. scientists who study outer space

• B. bright, celestial objects that give off their own light by using energy produced in their core

• C. an instrument that allows people to see distant objects

• D. brightness of stars, specifically when measured from the viewpoint of Earth

• E. natural objects that are located outside of Earth’s atmosphere, such as stars, planets, and asteroids

What are celestial objects?

• A. scientists who study outer space

• B. bright, celestial objects that give off their own light by using energy produced in their core

• C. an instrument that allows people to see distant objects

• D. brightness of stars, specifically when measured from the viewpoint of Earth

• E. natural objects that are located outside of Earth’s atmosphere, such as stars, planets, and asteroids

What is a telescope?

• A. scientists who study outer space

• B. bright, celestial objects that give off their own light by using energy produced in their core

• C. an instrument that allows people to see distant objects

• D. brightness of stars, specifically when measured from the viewpoint of Earth

• E. natural objects that are located outside of Earth’s atmosphere, such as stars, planets, and asteroids

Who are astronomers?

• A. scientists who study outer space

• B. bright, celestial objects that give off their own light by using energy produced in their core

• C. an instrument that allows people to see distant objects

• D. brightness of stars, specifically when measured from the viewpoint of Earth

• E. natural objects that are located outside of Earth’s atmosphere, such as stars, planets, and asteroids

What is apparent brightness?

• A. scientists who study outer space

• B. bright, celestial objects that give off their own light by using energy produced in their core

• C. an instrument that allows people to see distant objects

• D. brightness of stars, specifically when measured from the viewpoint of Earth

• E. natural objects that are located outside of Earth’s atmosphere, such as stars, planets, and asteroids