Measuring the Properties of Distant Galaxies

What is the main challenge in measuring the properties of distant galaxies?

• Lack of technology

• No scale or ruler large enough

• Too many galaxies

• Earth's atmosphere

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

What unit do astronomers use to measure the distance to faraway galaxies?

• Light years

• Kilometers

• Megaparsec (Mpc)

• Astronomical units

What is the distance beyond which Cepheids cannot be solely relied upon for measurements?

• 10 megaparsecs

• 20 megaparsecs

• 30 megaparsecs

• 40 megaparsecs

What do astronomers use as guideposts for measuring distances to galaxies beyond 30 megaparsecs?

• Cepheid variable stars

• Nearby galaxies and standard candles

• Black holes

• Pulsars

What is a standard candle in astronomy?

• A type of telescope

• An object with known luminosity

• A measurement tool

• A type of galaxy

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

What is the equivalent of one megaparsec in miles?

• 1 × 10^19 miles

• 2 × 10^19 miles

• 3 × 10^19 miles

• 4 × 10^19 miles

What is the purpose of using distance indicators in astronomy?

• To measure temperature

• To find intergalactic distances

• To observe black holes

• To study planetary motion

What is the significance of galaxies that are 3,000 megaparsecs or more away?

• They are the largest galaxies

• They are the oldest galaxies

• They appear as they were millions of years ago

• They are the closest galaxies

What is the main method discussed for measuring the mass of a distant galaxy?

• Using Cepheid variable stars

• Using standard candles

• Using the Hubble law

• Using a bathroom scale

What is the unit used to measure distances to faraway galaxies?

• Light-year

• Kilometer

• Megaparsec

• Astronomical Unit