Galaxies
What are the three main components that make up a galaxy?
Gas, dust, and stars
What are the four inner planets in our solar system?
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars
What is the term for the spinning of a planet or moon on its axis?
Rotation
What is the apparent motion of the Sun during the day, and which direction does it appear to move in the sky? (See Powerpoint for image)
The Sun appears to move from east to west
What causes the patterns of stars in the sky to appear to move throughout the night?
Earth's rotation on it's axis
The diagram shows the Milky Way galaxy. Which letter best shows the location of our solar system?
(Show students photo of Milky Way)
Y
What are the four outer planets?
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune
How long does it take Earth to complete one revolution around the Sun?
365 days
Why does the Sun appear to rise in the east and set in the west? (See diagram on powerpoint)
Earth's rotation on it's axis
Why do we see different constellations at different times of the year?
Earth's revolution around the Sun
What type of objects orbit stars in a galaxy?
Planets, moons, asteroids and comets
What is one characteristic that distinguishes inner planets from outer planets?
Inner planets are smaller, rockier, and closer to the Sun
How does the Earth's revolution affect the position of the Sun in the sky over the course of a year?
The Sun appears higher in the sky during the summer and lower in the sky during the winter due to Earth's revolution
How does the position of the Sun in the sky change between summer and winter? (See diagram on powerpoint)
The Sun appears higher in the sky during the summer and lower during the winter because of Earth’s axial tilt
Which direction do stars appear to move in the sky over the course of the night in the Northern Hemisphere?
From East to West
What is the name of the galaxy that contains our solar system?
The Milky Way
What is one characteristic that distinguishes outer planets from inner planets?
Outer planets are larger, gas giants, and farther from the Sun
What is the time it takes for Earth to complete one full rotation on its axis?
24 hours
What causes the different phases of the Moon?
The changing positions of the Moon as it orbits Earth, which changes how much of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun?
What are constellations?
Constellations are groups of stars that form recognizable patterns in the night sky.
How is a galaxy different from a solar system?
A galaxy is a massive collection of stars, gas, dust, and objects, while a solar system consists of a star (like the Sun) and objects that orbit it, including planets and moons.
What is a key difference in the composition of inner planets compared to outer planets?
Inner planets are mostly rocky and metallic, while outer planets are mostly composed of gases and ice
What effect does the rotation of Earth have on the appearance of the Sun and stars in the sky?
The Sun and stars appear to rise in the east and set in the west due to Earth’s rotation.
What happens during a lunar eclipse, and why does the Moon appear dark?
The Earth’s shadow blocks the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon, causing it to appear dark
What is the term for the cycle that causes the stars’ position to change throughout the year, leading to seasonal constellations?
Earth's orbit or revolution