How does a solar flare DIFFER from a solar prominence?

• A solar prominence is an arc of gas above the Sun's surface, while a solar flare is a sudden burst of energy and radiation

• A solar flare is a relatively cool spot on the Sun, whereas a prominence is a hot spot on the surface.

• A solar flare emits gases, while a solar prominence is a cooler area on the Sun's surface.

• A solar prominence occurs in the Sun's core, while a solar flare happens in the Sun's outer atmosphere.

The Sun is composed of several layers, each with a different set of characteristics, as illustrated in the image. Which area of the Sun is the HOTTEST?

• Part A

• Part B

• Part D

• Part F

An astronaut observes a sunspot. Which of the following describes this feature of the Sun?

• a location where heat rises to the Sun's

• a location that produces most of the Sun's heat energy

• a location that is cooler than the other parts of the Sun's surface

• a location where energy and matter leave the Sun's atmosphere

Allie's teacher uses a lava lamp to model how convection happens inside the Sun. The wax is heated by the light source in the base of the lamp. How is the motion inside a lava lamp similar to the motion inside the convection zone of the Sun?

• The hot wax floats freely around the middle section of the lamp just as the hottest gases from the Sun float throughout the middle layers of the Sun.

• The wax sinks to the bottom of the lamp, where it cools like gas from the outer layers of the Sun sinks into the core where it cools.

• The wax sinks to the bottom of the lamp, gets heated, and rises to the top like hot gas moves in the Sun.

• The hot wax stays at the top of the lamp just as the hottest gases of the Sun stay on the surface.

Nicolaus Copernicus was the astronomer who first proposed a model of the universe with the Sun at the center instead of Earth at the center. At that time, people did not believe his theory. What eventually persuaded others that Copernicus was correct?

• a visit to the moon by astronauts

• the opinions of other astronomers

• the invention and use of the telescope

• the invention and use of satellites

Many years ago, people thought that the Sun revolved around Earth. Copernicus proposed that the Earth revolved around the Sun. What  does this change in understanding show about scientific knowledge?

• science allows for adjustments to be made as new evidence is found

• people have always believed that scientists can find the right answers

• before Copernicus, science was not based on observations

• people trust in science and always accept new ideas

For thousands of years, astronomers accepted the geocentric model as a good explanation of all the objects they observed in the sky and the movements of those objects. Which statement best explains the basic principles of the geocentric model?

• The geocentric model shows the Sun at the center of the solar system, with Earth, the planets, and the stars revolving around the Sun.

• The geocentric model shows the Earth at the center of the solar system, with the Sun, planets, and stars revolving around the Earth.

• The geocentric model shows the Milky Way at the center of the universe, with Earth, the planets, and the stars revolving around the Milky Way.

• The geocentric model shows our solar system at the center of the Milky Way, with Earth, the planets, and the stars revolving around our solar system.

Within the solar system, planets orbit the Sun. What causes planets to orbit the Sun rather than the Sun to orbit the planets?

• The planets have a smaller diameter than the Sun.

• The Sun has a greater mass than the planets.

• The Sun is the center of the solar system.

• The solar system is the center of the universe.

A group of students listed the factors that they thought affected the strength of the gravitational force between the Sun and any one of its planets. Which of the items below does NOT belong on the list?

1. The mass of the Sun

2. The mass of the planet

3. The distance between the Sun and the planet

4. The time it takes the planet to revolve around the Sun

• #1 doesn't belong

• #2 doesn't belong

• #3 doesn't belong

• #4 doesn't belong

The gravitational pull of a planet or moon affects how slowly or quickly a spacecraft would land on its surface. The table shows the gravitational pull of different objects in our solar system. Suppose you wanted to land a spacecraft on the surface of these objects. On which object would the spacecraft have the slowest landing?

• Earth

• Mercury

• Moon

• Venus