a. revolution of Earth.
b. rotation of Earth.
c. rotation of the sun.
d. revolution of the sun.
100
On Monday night, you see a bright object in the sky. On Thursday night, you notice the same object in a slightly different location. This tells you that the object is....
a. a star
b. the moon
c. an asteroid
d. a planet
100
The cycle of the moon's phases can be seen because
a. the moon's distance from Earth changes at a predictable rate.
b. the moon spins on its axis.
c. the moon's axis is tilted.
d. the moon revolves around Earth
100
Summer days in the Northern Hemisphere are hotter than winter days, because in summer
a. Earth's Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun.
b. Earth is closer to the sun.
c. The sun gets hotter.
d. the sun gives off more energy.
100
Mario uses a softball to model moon phases in his darkened classroom by turning in a swivel chair placed next to a lamp. At times, Mario's body is between the lamp and the softball. At other times, the softball is between Mario and the lamp. Based on this information, which of the following statements is true?
a. Mario's arm represents the inner planets.
b. Mario's turning represents Earth's orbit around the sun.
c. Mario represents the sun and the chair represents Earth.
d. Mario represents Earth, The softball represents the moon, and the lamp represents the sun.
200
The Earth orbits the sun every....
a. 24 days
b. 24 hours
c. 12 months
d. 29 months
200
Which of these is true of stars and planets?
a. Stars move through the sky, but planets don't.
b. Stars and planets both move.
c. It is easier to see planets than stars.
d. Stars are the brightest objects in the night sky.
200
Suppose you see the constellation Orion. How will this constellation look if you view it from the same place 12 months from now?
a. It will look different because Earth will have orbited once around the sun.
b. it will look different because stars move across the sky.
c. It will look the same because stars are so far from Earth that it is hard to detect their motion.
d. It will look different because Earth will have rotated on its axis.
200
During winter in the Northern Hemisphere, which statement is true?
a. The North Pole is tilted away from the sun.
b. Day and night are the same length.
c. The sun's rays shine more directly on the North Pole than the South Pole.
d. Neither pole is tilted toward the sun.
200
You are holding a model of Earth and the sun. You rotate the model of Earth once on its axis. This represents one...
a. minute
b. day
c. month
d. year
300
What are the gas giants?
a. the outer planets
b. comets
c. stars in the Milky Way
d. the sun and Venus
300
A star's color tells us about its
a. temperature
b. size
c. rotation
d. distance from Earth
300
If scientists discovered a large, round object revolving around a star, that object would be considered a
a. moon
b. planet
c. star
d. solar system
300
Which of the following is one way technology is used to observe distant objects in the sky?
a. using spacecraft to observe the outer planets.
b. using a microscope to observe stars
c. using binoculars to look at a bug
d. using a flashlight to look at the stars
300
Which statement BEST explains why the sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west?
a. Earth orbits the sun.
b. Earth rotates on its axis.
c. The moon orbits Earth.
d. The sun orbits Earth.
400
Which separates the inner planets from the outer planets?
a. Venus
b. comets
c. an asteroid belt
d. Earth
400
Which statement correctly describes the outer planets?
a. The outer planets are warmer than the inner planets.
b. The outer planets are smaller than the inner planets.
c. The outer planets are made of gases.
d. The outer planets have rocky surfaces.
400
Which of the following about star color is true?
a. The oldest stars are blue.
b. The hottest stars are blue.
c. The newest stars are yellow.
d. The hottest stars are red.
400
During January, Jupiter will suddenly become visible in the western sky. Why isn't it visible all year?
a. because Earth rotates.
b. because Jupiter is a star, and stars change their positions in the sky.
c. because Jupiter moves across the sky from left to right.
d. because Earth and Jupiter revolve around the sun at different rates.
400
Last night there was a new moon. What phase is next?
a. full moon
b. waxing cresent
c. waning cresent
d. first quarter
500
What is the correct order of the inner planets?
a. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
b. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
c. Mercury, Earth, Mars, Venus
d. Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, Neptune
500
Which statement about the planets is true?
a. Pluto is no longer classified as a planet.
b. The outer planets are solid.
c. Earth is an outer planet.
d. The inner planets have longer years than the outer planets.
500
Earth's diameter is closest to the diameter of what other planet in our solar system?
a. Mercury
b. Venus
c. Jupiter
d. Uranus
500
During which phase is the moon a bright, round circle in the sky?
a. first quarter
b. new moon
c. third quarter
d. full moon
500
What is the source of the moon's light?
a. Earth
b. the sun
c. the moon
d. the stars in the night sky