Solar System and Space Objects Assessment

What is an Astronomical Unit (AU) primarily used for?

• Measuring the distance between stars

• Measuring the distance within the Solar System

• Measuring the mass of planets

• Determining the age of celestial bodies

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for an object to be classified as a planet?

• It must orbit the Sun

• It must be spherical in shape

• It must have an atmosphere

• It must clear its orbital path

Which of the following planets is a Gas Giant?

• Mars

• Mercury

• Saturn

• Pluto

What is a natural satellite?

• A spacecraft orbiting the Earth

• A moon orbiting a planet

• A man-made object in space

• A star that orbits a planet

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

You discover a space object that is made mostly of ice and has a bright tail when it moves closer to the Sun. What is it?

• An asteroid

• A comet

• A meteoroid

• A meteorite

If an object is spherical, orbits the Sun, but shares its orbit with other large objects, it is most likely a:

• Planet

• Moon

• Dwarf planet

• Meteoroid

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Match each term to its correct description.

• A region between Mars and Jupiter that contains many rocky objects.

• Comet

• A region beyond Neptune containing icy bodies and dwarf planets.

• Meteorite

• An icy body with a bright coma and tail when near the Sun.

• Kuiper Belt

• The distance light travels in one year.

• Lightyear

• A space rock that has survived its journey through Earth's atmosphere and landed on the surface.

• Asteroid Belt

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Gas giants are mostly composed of rock and metal. True or False?

• True

• False

An Astronomical Unit measures distances outside the Solar System.

• True

• False

The streak of light created when a meteoroid burns up in Earth’s atmosphere is called a _________.

• meteor

• comet

• asteroid

• star