Earth's Place in the Universe (U2 L3 Self-Check)

What observations should be made to create a model of Earth's place in the Milky Way?

• Positions of stars relative to Earth

• Gravitational orbits of celestial bodies

• The shapes of other, observable galaxies

• All of the above

Based on observations we can make from Earth, how do we know the Milky Way is shaped like a disk?

• We can see the entire Milky Way in the night sky.

• The Milky Way appears as a narrow band across our night sky, like the other planets in our solar system.

• We cannot tell the Milky Way is a disk from Earth.

How do we know that Earth is not the center of the Milky Way Galaxy?

• Earth is the center of the Milky Way.

• We can observe the center of the Milky Way from Earth.

• We can observe the gravity of other objects in the Milky Way.

• We can see the Milky Way with a telescope.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

If an observer looked out from a planet near the center of this galaxy, what would it look like to that observer?

• A broad band of stars forming a ring around the planet.

• A sphere of stars evenly spread in every direction.

• A spiral shape with arms reaching out from a center.

• A band of stars in one direction, with fewer stars in other directions.

We can compare the apparent and actual brightness of a star in a galaxy to tell how far away that galaxy is. Which assumptions are necessary when using this method? (Select all that apply)

• Galaxies contain very bright stars.

• We can determine the amount of light a star produces.

• Stars in the galaxy are similar to stars in the Milky Way.

• The star does not have any large planets.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

Most of the points of light in the photo are likely _________.

• Stars

• Galaxies

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

The larger bright object toward the center of the photo could possibly be a __________ because of its fuzzier edges.

• Galaxy

• Universe

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

To definitively tell what this object is, you would need to identify stars inside the light and measure how _______ those stars are.

• Bright

• Far away

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

Two stars on opposite sides of the night sky appear very different. One star is very bright and can be seen before the sky is completely dark. The other can barely be seen at night. Which of the following could be a reason? (Select all that apply)

• The brighter star emits much more light than the dimmer star.

• a planet orbiting the dimmer star blocks most of its light.

• The brighter star is much closer to Earth than the dimmer star.

• clouds of dust and gas block some of the light from the dimmer star.

What assumption can we make about the shape of the Milky Way because it appears as a broad band of light in our sky?

• It is a sphere

• It does not have a shape.

• It is disk-like.

• It is round.