Observing Star Patterns

Jackson has been using his telescope every night to observe the star patterns (constellations). He kept a journal of his observations all year. Which of the following is a correct observation?

• Star patterns change as they appear to move across the sky.

• Different star patterns can be seen in different seasons.

• The star patterns remain in the same position every night.

• The star patterns are brighter at different times of the night.

A student centers a star in the middle of her telescope’s view and locks the telescope in place. A few hours later, the star appears to have moved. Why does the star appear to move in the telescope’s view?

• Earth rotates on its axis.

• Stars rotate on their axes.

• Earth revolves around the Sun.

• The stars revolve around Earth.

Will observes the star pattern Cancer over the course of a night. Which conclusion should Will make about the star pattern?

• Cancer's shape changes, and it moves across the sky.

• Cancer's shape changes, and its location does not change.

• Cancer's shape stays the same, and its location does not change.

• Cancer's shape stays the same, and it appears to move across the sky.

Joshua is studying the Moon and observed that the portion of the Moon he could see appeared to change each week over the entire month of June. The next month, the same pattern of change was observed. Which statement best describes why Joshua observed a different portion of the Moon each week?

• Other planets make shadows on the Moon as they move around the Sun.

• As the Moon moves around Earth, different parts of the Moon are lit up by the Sun.

• Different parts of the Moon are lit up by light reflected from Earth.

• As Earth moves around the Moon, it makes shadows on the Moon.

Natalie observed the Moon over a couple of weeks. Each night, the Moon appeared a little fuller. Natalie wants to predict which phase of the Moon she can expect to see in the next few days. Based on Natalie's observations, which phase of the Moon will appear next?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Look at the moon phases pictured below. Which moon phase is missing in the above sequence?

• Option A image of moon phase

• Option B image of moon phase

• Option C image of moon phase

• Option D image of moon phase

The diagram below shows the tilt of Earth on its axis. Which of these happens as a result of Earth rotating on its axis?

• A. changes in the phases of the Moon

• B. change from night into day

• C. change in climate

• D. change of season

How long does Earth take to rotate on its axis?

• 12 hours

• 20 hours

• 24 hours

• 26 hours

Which of these causes day and night on Earth?

• Moon orbiting the Earth

• Earth revolving around the Sun

• Earth rotating on its axis

• Sun rotating on its axis

On August 15, Earth is located in the position shown in the diagram. The following year, on August 15, Earth will be in the same place. Why is Earth in the same place on August 15 each year?

• Earth rotates around the Sun once each year.

• Earth revolves around the Sun once each year.

• Earth reverses its direction around the Sun each year.

• Earth stays in the same location near the Sun each year.