Measuring Distances in Space

What is the basic unit for measuring distances in the solar system?

• Kilometer

• Astronomical Unit

• Light Year

• Mile

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

What is a light year?

• The distance light travels in one second

• The distance light travels in one year

• The time it takes for light to reach the Sun from Earth

• The distance from the Earth to the Moon

Which unit is used to measure the distance between stars?

• Kilometer

• Astronomical Unit

• Light Year

• Meter

The distance from Earth to the Sun is:

• A light year

• An astronomical unit

• A parsec

• A kilometer

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which unit is best for measuring the distance from Earth to Mars?

• Light Year

• Astronomical Unit

• Meter

• Mile

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Arrange these units from smallest to largest: kilometer, astronomical unit, light year.

• Light Year (LY)

• Kilometer (Km)

• Astronomical Unit (AU)

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Why do astronomers use light years instead of kilometers to measure distances between stars?

• Light years are easier to use

• Kilometers are too small for large distances

• Light years are a unit of time

• Kilometers are not used in science

Which unit is best for measuring the distance from Earth to the Moon?

• Light Year

• Astronomical Unit

• Kilometer

• Parsec

Which unit is the largest?

• Kilometer

• Astronomical Unit

• Light Year

• Mile

Match the following items with their most appropriate unit of measurement

• Light Years

• Galaxies

• kilometers

• Earth's surface

• Astronomical Units (AU)

• The Solar System

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3