Quiz on Jupiter and Mercury

Many people know that scientists have discovered a famous red spot on Jupiter, and that this spot is actually a giant storm that moves around the planet. This storm can be seen by telescopes from earth and also by probes that have flown past Jupiter. What question could you ask that would help you determine which of those two tools was used to discover Jupiter’s red storm for the first time?

• How many miles is Jupiter from Earth?

• Has a human ever landed on Jupiter?

• Was the storm discovered from the surface of Jupiter, or from space?

• Was the storm first seen from earth or from an image sent from space?

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CCSS.RI.2.1

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Which of the following changes below would improve the student’s question?

• She should also ask if the picture was taken from space, because it could have been taken by an astronaut who traveled to Mercury

• She should also ask if the photo is color or black-and-white, because it could have been taken by an astronaut who traveled to Mercury

• She should also ask if the picture was taken from space, because it could have been taken by a probe passing Mercury

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CCSS.RI.1.1

CCSS.RI.2.1

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A group of astronomers is studying objects that are very distant from our solar system. They are trying to decide if a new device is useful for their research. Which question would most help them decide if the device is useful for their research?

• Is the device larger than other devices?

• Will the device use more electricity than other devices?

• Does this device take longer to build than other devices?

• Can the device gather data from further distances than other devices?

The United States has landed a device on Mars. Using this device, which question can now be answered that could not be answered before?

• What is the shape and color of Mars?

• How many moons does Mars have?

• What is the soil like on Mars?

• How far away is Mars?

A group of fourth graders were studying a timeline of technological advances in space research. Which of the following questions could the student research to further understand the similarities and differences between the data collected from the technology?

• How has technology improved its quality of photos over time?

• What were the dates that each technology was invented?

• Who were the scientists who invented the technology?

• When was the first space discovery first documented?

Which of the following questions could be asked to understand how technology has affected observations made about space overtime?

• How are the sizes of technology different from many years ago compared to today’s technology?

• How does the information collected today compare to information collected many years ago?

• Is the technology used today more complex than they were in ancient times?

• When were other galaxies discovered?

In the year 1610, the astronomer Galileo used the telescope he built to observe the moons of Jupiter. Until the invention of the telescope, there was no evidence of moons around any planet beyond Earth. What is this an example of?

• new evidence changing scientific knowledge

• the observation of the creation of a planetary moon

• new interpretations of the movement of planetary bodies

• new interpretations of old evidence changing scientific knowledge

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CCSS.RI.2.9

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Why would scientists most likely choose to use a telescope in space instead of a telescope on Earth?

• It is easier to take pictures of other satellites orbiting Earth in space.

• It can view distant objects in space that cannot be seen from Earth.

• It can take pictures of small living things floating in space around Earth.

• It is less expensive to build a large telescope in space than on Earth's surface.

Since scientists cannot travel near a red dwarf star, which technology is helpful for extending their understanding of such stars?

• Telescopes and satellites that use images to build information about these stars

• Microscopes and X-rays to help understand details about things found on Earth

• Computers to allow scientists to read about red dwarf stars

• Submarines to explore the depths of the ocean

Would you predict that Rigel or Betelgeuse would appear brighter from Earth?

• Rigel because it is larger and closer to Earth

• Betelgeuse because it is larger and closer to Earth

• Rigel because blue supergiants appear brighter than red supergiants

• Betelgeuse because red supergiants appear brighter than blue supergiants