Our DIVA Sun
Earth MOVES
Shadow Science
Gravity Games
STARry Night
100
What is the ONLY star in our Solar System?
The Sun
100
What's another word for ROTATION?
Spin!
100
At what time of day are shadows the shortest?
NOON, or 12 p.m.
100
Does Gravity pull us "down" or towards the "center" of the Earth?
Center of the Earth
100
Are the constellations we see in the night sky located in our solar system?
No! The SUN is the ONLY star in our solar system. All other stars (constellations) are very far away and located outside our solar system!
200
What direction does the Sun RISE in? SET in?
The Sun RISES in the EAST and SETS in the WEST.
200
What Earth movement takes 365.25 days?
Earth's REVOLUTION
200
Which picture shows an opaque object (1st, 2nd, or 3rd)?
Image #3. Opaque means that NO light can pass through an object. (Opaque objects create the BEST shadows!)
200
Is there Gravity in space?
Yes! The Sun has a very STRONG gravitational pull that keeps the planets in our solar system in orbit around it.
200
What was on the first civilizations responsible for naming constellations based on their mythology?
The Greeks were one of the first to identify and name groups of stars, much of which related to their mythology.
300
Why do the Sun and Moon look to be the same size in the sky?
Although the Sun is much larger than the moon (400X), the moon is much closer so they appear to be the same size in the sky!
300
What does Earth's TILTED axis cause (as it revolves around the Sun)?
Seasonal Change
300
If the Sun is in the NORTHWEST position of the sky, what direction will its shadow be facing?
SOUTHEAST
300
What famous scientist first explained Gravity?
Isaac Newton (the "apple man!")
300
How many constellations are recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU)?
IAU adopted 88 constellations in 1922.
400
Why don't we see the Sun at night?
Earth's rotation causes a day-night cycle, so when the Earth is facing away from the Sun it is night and we cannot see it.
400
What Earth movement is the main reason that we see different constellations at different times of the year?
Earth's revolution
400
Rank the shadow length from each sun position from shortest to longest!
2, 3, 1
400
What are two factors that impact the strenghth of a gravitational force?
1. Mass (Density) and 2. Distance
400
Did Galileo Galilei invent the telescope? *TRICK question!
No, Galileo did not invent the telescope, but the Italian professor was the first to use it for astronomy and made significant improvements to its design. He made discoveries about the Moon and Jupiter!
The first telescopes were created in the Netherlands in 1608 by Hans Lippershey, Zacharias Janssen, and Jacob Metius (Lippershey filed for a patent that year!)
500
What 2 elements mainly make up the Sun's chemical composition?
The Sun's made of 70% hydrogen & 21% helium
(and small amounts of oxygen, carbon, neon & iron)
500
What Earth movement causes LEAP Year?
Earth's revolution is 365.25 days, which means every 4 years, we have an EXTRA day in February!
500
Compare July and December. Which month has longer shadow lengths?
December! The Earth is tilted AWAY the most from the Sun during December, which means the Sun is in its LOWEST position in the sky during this month = LONG shadows!
500
As mass increases, gravitational force _________.
As distane increases, gravitational force __________.
What do we call each of these relationships?
increases (directly proportional)
decreases (inversely proportional)
500
What is celestial navigation?
Using the stars to deterimine your location at sea
(NASA Astronauts are trained to do this as a back-up plan in case equipment fails in space!)