Understanding Distances in Space

What is an astronomical unit (AU)?

• The distance from the Earth to the Moon

• The average distance from the Earth to the Sun

• The distance from the Sun to the nearest star

• The distance light travels in one year

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Approximately how many kilometers is one astronomical unit (AU)?

• 384,400 kilometers

• 1.5 million kilometers

• 150 million kilometers

• 9.5 trillion kilometers

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which of the following is the most appropriate unit to measure the distance between stars?

• Astronomical unit (AU)

• Kilometer

• Light-year

• Meter

How many astronomical units (AU) is the average distance from the Sun to Jupiter?

• 1 AU

• 5.2 AU

• 10 AU

• 39.5 AU

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which of the following best describes the Kuiper Belt?

• A region of space between Mars and Jupiter

• A region of space beyond Neptune containing many small icy bodies

• The area where the Sun's gravity is strongest

• The path of Earth's orbit around the Sun

What is the primary difference between an astronomical unit (AU) and a light-year?

• An AU is used for measuring distances within the solar system, while a light-year is used for measuring distances between galaxies.

• An AU is longer than a light-year.

• A light-year is used for measuring distances within the solar system, while an AU is used for measuring distances between galaxies.

• An AU and a light-year are equivalent.

Which planet is approximately 0.39 AU from the Sun?

• Venus

• Earth

• Mercury

• Mars

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

What is the significance of the asteroid belt in the solar system?

• It marks the boundary between the inner and outer planets.

• It is the region where most comets originate.

• It is the closest region to the Sun.

• It contains the largest planet in the solar system.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which of the following is the largest unit of distance?

• Astronomical unit (AU)

• Kilometer

• Light-year

• Parsecs

If a star is 4.2 light-years away from Earth, how many astronomical units (AU) is it approximately?

• 1 AU

• 63,240 AU

• 4.2 AU

• 150 million AU

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3