SC.8.E.5.3 - Galaxies : Hard

Front

What is a galaxy?

Back

A galaxy is a massive system that consists of stars, star clusters, dust, gas, and dark matter, all bound together by gravity.

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What is the closest star system to Earth?

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Alpha Centauri is the closest star system to Earth, located about 4.34 light-years away.

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What is a light-year?

Back

A light-year is the distance that light travels in one year, approximately 5.88 trillion miles (9.46 trillion kilometers).

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What is the difference between a star and a planet?

Back

Stars are massive celestial bodies that produce their own light through nuclear fusion, while planets are smaller bodies that orbit stars and do not produce their own light.

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What causes the apparent movement of stars in the night sky?

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The apparent movement of stars is caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis.

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What is a comet?

Back

A comet is a small celestial body made of ice, dust, and rocky material that, when passing close to the Sun, develops a glowing coma and tail.

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What is the Milky Way?

Back

The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our solar system, consisting of billions of stars, including our Sun.

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What is a constellation?

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A constellation is a group of stars that forms a recognizable pattern in the night sky, often named after mythological figures or animals.

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What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite?

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A meteor is a bright streak of light produced when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, while a meteorite is a fragment of a meteoroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on Earth.

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What is the role of gravity in galaxies?

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Gravity is the force that holds galaxies together, keeping stars and other celestial bodies in orbit around the galaxy's center.