Space

Day and Night

100

A __________ occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth.

solar eclipse

200

What do we call spinning of the Earth around the Sun?

Revolution

300

A________________ occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing Earth’s shadow to fall on the Moon.

lunar eclipse

400

If the last new Moon was on May 8th, which date is the best estimate for when the next new Moon will occur?

A. May 15th
B. May 22nd
C. June 6th
D. June 25th

C

500

What causes our planet to have four seasons?

Seasons are the result of the tilt of the Earth's axis.

Theories

100

3. Scientists detected faint microwave radiation throughout space. Why is this evidence important to the Big Bang Theory?

A. It suggests the universe still contains leftover energy from an early hot, dense state.
B. It proves the Sun exploded which created the universe.
C. It shows galaxies do not move.
D. It demonstrates that Earth is the oldest object in space.

A

200

I explain how the universe began from a hot, dense state long ago.

Galaxies moving apart provide evidence that space is expanding.

Faint microwave radiation left throughout space also supports me.

What theory am I?

Big Bang Theory

300

6. A student says, “The Big Bang Theory means the universe exploded into empty space.” Which response best evaluates this statement?

A. The statement is accurate because the explosion happened at the center of space.
B. The statement is incomplete because the theory describes space itself expanding.
C. The statement is correct because galaxies are stationary.
D. The statement is accurate because Earth existed before the expansion began.

B

400

6. Why was the transition from the geocentric model to the heliocentric model important in the history of science?

A. It demonstrated that scientific explanations can change with new evidence and technology.
B. It proved all earlier scientific ideas were completely useless.
C. It showed that observations should not influence scientific thinking.
D. It ended the study of astronomy.

A

500

4. Two scientists are debating models of the solar system. One scientist argues that scientific models should change when new evidence is discovered. Which historical example best supports this argument?

A. Scientists continued using the geocentric model even after new discoveries.
B. Scientists rejected telescopes because they complicated astronomy.
C. The heliocentric model replaced the geocentric model after observations provided stronger evidence.
D. The Big Bang Theory proved Earth is the center of the universe.

C

Planets

100

What is the largest planet in our solar system?

Jupiter

200

What planet is this?

Size: Large

Appearance: Blue/Green, with some white clouds 

Axial Tilt: 23.5

Direction of rotation: prograde (same direction as sun)

Earth 

300

What planet is this? 

Type: terrestrial

Atmosphere: thick 

Appearance: completely covered by clouds

Axil tilt: 2.6

Rotation: retrograde (opposite of sun) 

Venus

400

I am covered in toxic clouds that rain acid.
My atmosphere creates crushing pressure stronger than deep ocean waters on Earth.
What planet am I?

Venus

500

Scientists search me for signs of ancient water,
but today I am dry, dusty, and freezing cold.
Humans would need spacesuits and oxygen to survive here.
What planet am I?

Mars

Vocabulary

100

A change in light from distant galaxies that shows they are moving away from us, helping support that the universe is expanding.

Redshift

200

Faint energy left over from the early universe

Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB)

300

The force that pulls objects toward each other, keeping planets in orbit around the Sun.

Gravity

400

objects remain at rest or move in a straight line at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force.

Inertia

500

The Sun and all the objects that orbit it, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.

Solar System

Space Rocks

100

A space rock that survives passing through Earth’s atmosphere and lands on Earth’s surface.

Meteorite

200

I streak across the sky in a flash of light,
but I am not actually a star.
I burn up as I enter Earth’s atmosphere.
What am I?

Meteor

300

I am a rock from space that survives the trip through the atmosphere.
I land on Earth and can be collected by scientists.
What am I?

Meteorite

400

I am a rocky object that orbits the Sun.
Most of my kind live in a belt between Mars and Jupiter.
What am I?

Asteroid

500

I am made of ice, dust, and rock.
When I get close to the Sun, I grow a glowing tail.
What am I?

Comet

Wild Card

100

1. I am dusty, red, and dry,

Robots roam me, searching why.

Some think humans may visit one day.

What planet am I? 

Mars

200

Name the terrestial planets.

Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.

300

Example of a Natural Satellite  

The Moon 

400

2. Which statements describe a comet? (Select THREE)

A. It is made of ice, dust, and rock
B. It always stays between Mars and Jupiter
C. It can form a glowing tail near the Sun
D. It orbits the Sun in a long, stretched path
E. It is a burning streak of light in Earth’s atmosphere

A, C, D

500

My rings make me famous,
but I am far too cold for life as we know it.
Like Jupiter, I am mostly gas with no solid ground.
What planet am I?

Saturn