Science Quiz: Stars and Their Patterns

Which of the following statements best explains why some stars appear brighter than others?

• Some stars absorb more energy from the Sun.

• Some stars are closer to Earth than others.

• Some stars are closer to the Moon than others.

• Some stars have a better position in the sky.

VY Canis Majoris is the largest known star in the galaxy. It is a thousand times bigger and brighter than the Sun. Why doesn't VY Canis Majoris appear brighter than the Sun to people on Earth?

• VY Canis Majoris is much farther away from Earth.

• VY Canis Majoris is only visible in the Southern Hemisphere.

• VY Canis Majoris can only be seen from the Moon.

• VY Canis Majoris can only be seen during rare astronomical events.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Juan notices that the constellations he sees in February are different than the ones he sees in October. Why does this happen?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Steve wants to calculate the distance between Earth and several stars. He hypothesizes that the Sun is the closest star because it is the brightest. He wants to design an experiment that will measure the distance to the Sun and other stars in kilometers. Why is Steve's idea for measuring distance flawed?

• The distance will be too far to measure in kilometers. He will have to measure the distance in miles.

• The distance will be too far to measure in kilometers. He will have to measure the distance in light years.

• The distance to all of the stars, including the Sun, will be the same.

• There is no way to correctly measure the distance between Earth, the Sun, and other stars.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

​ (a)   produce their own light and heat

• Stars
• Planets

If you didn't have use of a telescope, which question might help you determine the distance of a star from Earth?

• What time does the star appear?

• In which hemisphere is the star located?

• What is the shape of the star?

• What is the brightness of the star?

Here are two different views of the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper is an example of a pattern called _______.

• convection

• constellation

• conflagration

• communication

Some stars appear brighter than other stars to Danny and his friends because:

• they are closer to Earth or emit more light.

• they are all the same distance from Earth.

• they are all the same brightness.

• they are moving faster than other stars.

The Sun appears brighter than any other star because:

• It is larger than other stars.

• It is closer to Earth than other stars.

• It produces more light than all other stars.

• It is the only star in the universe.

Polaris is also known as the ________ star.

• East 
• West
• North
• South