Understanding Stars

What is a star?

• A sphere of gas held together by its own gravity

• A solid object in space

• A planet

• A satellite

What is the closest star to Earth?

• Sirius

• Proxima Centauri

• The Sun

• Alpha Centauri

What is the surface temperature of the sun?

• 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit

• 5,500 degrees Fahrenheit

• 15,000 degrees Fahrenheit

• 20,000 degrees Fahrenheit

What are the main components of a star?

• Hydrogen and Helium

• Oxygen and Nitrogen

• Carbon and Iron

• Silicon and Magnesium

What determines the brightness of a star?

• Distance and actual brightness

• Color and temperature

• Size and mass

• Composition

What color do hotter stars appear?

• Blue or white

• Orange or red

• Yellow

• Green

What happens to most stars as they age?

• They grow into red giants

• They become brighter

• They explode

• They turn into planets

Can you see the same stars every night?

• Yes, stars do not change position.

• Yes, we are seeing the same stars every night.

• No, the stars travel from one place to another.

• No, as the earth rotates the part of the sky you can see changes.

Which stars do we always see at night?

• Stars on the horizon

• Stars over the North Pole

• Stars in bigger constellations

• Stars in smallest constellations

Which of the following statements BEST describes the Polaris?

• It is the North star straight overhead.

• It is the brightest north star in the sky.

• It is the star in the northern horizon.

• It is the star that appears near the north celestial pole.