Astronomical Objects

Justin drew a diagram of the orbits of several objects in space. What keeps object A in orbit around object B?

• The force of gravity between objects A and B.

• The force of gravity between objects A and C.

• The force of gravity between objects A and E.

• The force of gravity between objects B and X.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Modern telescopes make it possible for astronomers to detect planets around distant stars. Why couldn’t astronomers detect these planets before?

• The planets are much closer than the stars they orbit.

• The planets are much larger than the stars they orbit.

• The planets are much farther than the stars they orbit.

• The planets are much smaller than the stars they orbit.

Space exploration has advanced our knowledge of the universe. Which space journey would take the longest?

• A journey from Earth to the Sun.

• A journey from Earth to the Moon.

• A journey from Earth to the nearest galaxy to the Milky Way.

• A journey from Earth to the farthest planet in our solar system.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which distance is the greatest?

• The distance across the Milky Way galaxy.

• The distance to the nearest star.

• The distance across the solar system.

• The distance to the nearest galaxy.

Nebulae are large clouds of dust and gas that may eventually form stars and planets. Astronomers originally thought that the Andromeda Galaxy was a nebula until the nature of a galaxy was confirmed. Which of the following shows the relationship between a galaxy and a nebula?

• Many galaxies are found inside of a single nebula.

• Entire galaxies are created from the gas and dust of a single nebula.

• Many nebulae are found inside of a single galaxy.

• Nebulae and galaxies combine to form stars.

In 1995, the Hubble space Telescope photographed a tiny spot in the sky for a period of ten days; 342 exposures were placed together to create an image known as the Hubble Deep Field. The image shows a collection of billions of stars. The Hubble Deep Field shows at least 3,000 groups of these stars. Which term describes this group of stars?

• moon

• solar system

• galaxy

• universe

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

The objects shown in the following diagrams have different masses and are different distances apart. Which diagram shows the two objects that have the greatest force of gravity acting between them?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

A nebula contains large amounts of dust and clouds. What role does gravity play inside of nebulae?

• The gravitational pull between the gas and dust matter leads to the formation of new galaxies.

• The gravity pulls the gas and dust apart, leading to the formation of a larger nebula.

• The gravitational pull between the gas and dust matter leads to the formation of new stars and planets.

• There is no gravity inside nebulae because each dust particle is so small.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Which statement describes the general relationship between the temperature and the absolute brightness of main sequence stars?

• As temperature decreases, absolute brightness increases.

• As temperature decreases, absolute brightness remains the same.

• As temperature increases, absolute brightness increases.

• As temperature increases, absolute brightness remains the same.

The three stars shown below are similar in color, temperature and composition. From Earth, Star Y appears to be the brightest while Star X and Star Z appear to be similar in brightness. Which list orders the stars from closest to farthest from Earth?

• Star X, Star Y, Star Z

• Star X, Star Z, Star Y

• Star Y, Star X, Star Z

• Star Y, Star Z, Star X

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3