Explore Space Measurements and Astronomical Units Quiz

1. What is the sun?

The largest planet in our solar system

Made of solid rock like Earth

A source of cold light

A star, 1 AU from Earth, more than 100 times the diameter of Earth

The sun is a star located 1 astronomical unit (AU) away from Earth, making it the center of our solar system. It is more than 100 times the diameter of Earth, and its energy output provides warmth and light to our planet.

Explanation

The sun is a star located 1 astronomical unit (AU) away from Earth, making it the center of our solar system. It is more than 100 times the diameter of Earth, and its energy output provides warmth and light to our planet.

2. If we say that an object is 1,000 light-years away we see it...

As it looked 500 years ago.

As it looks in the present time.

As it will look in the future.

As it looked 1,000 years ago.

When we say an object is 1,000 light-years away, we are referring to the distance light had to travel to reach us. Since light travels at a finite speed, it takes time to travel those distances. Therefore, we see the object as it looked 1,000 years ago, not in the present time or future.

Explanation

When we say an object is 1,000 light-years away, we are referring to the distance light had to travel to reach us. Since light travels at a finite speed, it takes time to travel those distances. Therefore, we see the object as it looked 1,000 years ago, not in the present time or future.

3. What does a solar system contain?

Multiple stars and comets

A black hole and asteroids

A single star and planets

Only planets and moons

A solar system consists of a single star (such as the Sun) and the celestial bodies that orbit around it, including planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects.

Explanation

A solar system consists of a single star (such as the Sun) and the celestial bodies that orbit around it, including planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects.

4. Which arrangement is in order of increasing size, left to right?

Galaxy, solar system, star, planet

Planet, star, solar system, galaxy

Solar system, galaxy, planet, star

Star, planet, galaxy, solar system

The correct order of increasing size, left to right, is planet, star, solar system, galaxy. Planets are smaller than stars, which are part of solar systems, which in turn are part of galaxies.

Explanation

The correct order of increasing size, left to right, is planet, star, solar system, galaxy. Planets are smaller than stars, which are part of solar systems, which in turn are part of galaxies.

5. If one has a space craft that can travel at the speed of light, how long will it take to go from one edge of the Milky Way Galaxy to the other and return?

75,000 years

25,000 years

300,000 years

150,000 years

Traveling at the speed of light, it would still take 150,000 years to cross the Milky Way Galaxy due to its massive size.

Explanation

Traveling at the speed of light, it would still take 150,000 years to cross the Milky Way Galaxy due to its massive size.

6. In which sequence is correct when ordered by increasing size?

Galaxy clusters, Milky Way, Solar System, Earth

Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, galaxy clusters

Solar System, Earth, Milky Way, galaxy clusters

Milky Way, Earth, Solar System, galaxy clusters

The correct sequence of items when ordered by increasing size should start from the smallest (Earth) and progress to larger entities (Solar System, Milky Way, galaxy clusters) in the universe.

Explanation

The correct sequence of items when ordered by increasing size should start from the smallest (Earth) and progress to larger entities (Solar System, Milky Way, galaxy clusters) in the universe.

7. How many centimeters are there in one kilometer?

1,000,000

100,000

1,000

10,000

To convert kilometers to centimeters, you need to multiply the number of kilometers by 100,000 as there are 100,000 centimeters in a kilometer.

Explanation

To convert kilometers to centimeters, you need to multiply the number of kilometers by 100,000 as there are 100,000 centimeters in a kilometer.

8. What is the average distance from Earth to the sun?

1 AU

93 million miles

0.005 light years

150 million kilometers

The average distance from Earth to the sun is defined as 1 Astronomical Unit (AU), approximately 93 million miles or 150 million kilometers. This unit is commonly used in Astronomy to represent distances within our solar system.

Explanation

The average distance from Earth to the sun is defined as 1 Astronomical Unit (AU), approximately 93 million miles or 150 million kilometers. This unit is commonly used in Astronomy to represent distances within our solar system.

9. What is the standard form of 64,200,000,000?

6.42 X 10^10

6420 x 10^9

64.2 x 10^11

642 x 10^8

In scientific notation, a number is expressed in the form a x 10^n, where 1

Explanation

In scientific notation, a number is expressed in the form a x 10^n, where 1

10. If the distance from the Sun to the Earth is represented by roughly 15 meters, then the distance from the Earth to the Moon on the same scale would be....

Smaller than your hand.

Equal to the height of a skyscraper

Larger than a swimming pool

As long as a football field

The distance from the Sun to the Earth is immense, so if this distance is represented by just 15 meters, the distance from the Earth to the Moon would be much smaller than most people would imagine.

Explanation

The distance from the Sun to the Earth is immense, so if this distance is represented by just 15 meters, the distance from the Earth to the Moon would be much smaller than most people would imagine.

11. If the nearest star is 4.2 light-years away, then....

The distance to the star is increasing by 4.2 light-years each year.

The light we see left the star 4.2 years ago.

It would take 4.2 years to travel to that star at the speed of light.

The star is 4.2 times bigger than our sun.

The correct answer explains the concept that what we see from a star is light that has traveled over a certain distance, in this case 4.2 light-years, to reach us. The incorrect answers provide alternative interpretations that do not align with the concept of measuring distance in space using light-years.

Explanation

The correct answer explains the concept that what we see from a star is light that has traveled over a certain distance, in this case 4.2 light-years, to reach us. The incorrect answers provide alternative interpretations that do not align with the concept of measuring distance in space using light-years.

12. If light takes 8 minutes to reach Earth from the sun and 5.3 hours to reach Pluto, what is the approximate distance from the sun to Pluto?

80 AU

40 AU

20 AU

60 AU

The distance from the sun to Pluto can be calculated by using the known speed of light and the time it takes for light to travel from the sun to each of the two planets. By comparing the time taken for light to reach Earth and Pluto, we can determine the relative distances between the sun and these planets. Through this calculation, we find that the distance from the sun to Pluto is approximately 40 Astronomical Units (AU).

Explanation

The distance from the sun to Pluto can be calculated by using the known speed of light and the time it takes for light to travel from the sun to each of the two planets. By comparing the time taken for light to reach Earth and Pluto, we can determine the relative distances between the sun and these planets. Through this calculation, we find that the distance from the sun to Pluto is approximately 40 Astronomical Units (AU).