Ancient and Modern Astronomy

Early astronomers proposed many theories about the objects they saw in the sky. Using these theories, they tried to explain the location and movement of these objects. The diagram shows one theory about Earth and its neighbors in space. Which theory does this diagram illustrate?

• Ptolemy’s theory

• Aristotle’s theory

• Geocentric theory

• Heliocentric theory

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The motion of an object includes the speed of the object and the shape of its path. How does Kepler’s description of the paths of planets compare with Aristotle’s description?

• Kepler and Aristotle both state that planets move in circles.

• Kepler and Aristotle both state that planets move in elliptical paths.

• Kepler states that planets move in circles, and Aristotle states that planets move in elliptical paths.

• Kepler states that planets move in elliptical paths, and Aristotle states that planets move incircles.

Why does Aristarchus’ idea that the sun is much larger than Earth support the heliocentric theory of the Solar System?

• Small objects rotate around large objects.

• Large objects rotate around small objects.

• Small objects revolve around large objects.

• Large objects revolve around small objects.

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Galileo used a telescope to observe Venus. The diagram explains what he saw. What did Galileo conclude from his observations of Venus?

• It is always lit.

• It travels around the sun.

• It is farther from the sun than Earth is.

• It has moons and the moons have phases.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

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Johannes Kepler mathematically determined the motion of planets in our Solar System. He stated those results in his Laws of Planetary Motion. According to these laws, how do planets move in the Solar System?

• Circular orbits around Earth

• Elliptical orbits around Earth

• Circular orbits around the sun

• Elliptical orbits around the sun

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

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Which of these descriptions best defines the solar system?

• Planets and asteroids

• The sun and all planets

• Planets and their moons

• The sun and all bodies that travel around it

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Aristotle stated that all objects in the universe move around Earth. One astronomer developed a model based on mathematical calculations that supported Aristotle’s theory. Who developed this model to support Aristotle’s theory of the universe?

• Ptolemy

• Copernicus

• Galileo

• Aristarchus

Aristotle stated that all objects in the universe move around Earth. One astronomer developed a model based on mathematical calculations that supported Aristotle’s theory. Which theory does this diagram illustrate?

• Copernicus’ theory

• Aristarchus’ theory

• Geocentric theory

• Heliocentric theory

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

How did Aristotle explain the way that objects in the universe move?

• In elliptical orbits in spheres with Earth at the center.

• In circles on one giant sphere with Earth at the center.

• In elliptical orbits on one giant sphere with the sun at the center.

• In circles on small spheres inside large spheres with Earth at the center.

How does Ptolemy’s model of the universe compare with Aristotle’s model?

• Both models are heliocentric

• Both models are based on parallax

• Both models show that celestial objects have circular paths

• Both models show that celestial objects have elliptical paths