- Astronomers believe that the solar system began forming from the great explosion of the big bang, approximately 3.7 billion years ago.
- This planet has a surface environment that is extremely harsh because the high temperatures make it difficult for the planet to acquire a shielding atmosphere. This planet has no moons and has extreme temperatures with daytime temperatures reaching up to 806°F. What planet is being described here?
- How often does Earth revolve around the Sun?
- Which direction would you be pointing if you were showing someone the zenith?
- The space shuttle Challenger gained much interest because of its plans to have the first non-astronaut fly with the crew. Christa McAuliffe was chosen as a result. What was Christa's normal profession?
- On planet Earth, Tom weighs 150 lbs. How much would he weigh on Mercury?
- The steep north and south ridges on Mercury stretch up to almost 2 miles high and over 300 miles long.
- The outer planets have solid surfaces that are very rocky and dense.
- The distances in space are based on astronomical units, which are average distances between the Sun and Earth.
- Both Voyager 1 and 2 are still in communication with us after being launched in 1977.
- Famously, the Kepler 2 space telescope that was launched in 2014 was retired in 2015.
- The asteroid belt separates the inner planets from the outer planets.
- Venus is more like Earth than any other planet in the Solar System.
- Many infamous, yet so far incorrect, predictions of the end of the world derive from the _____ calendar.
- Insects were the first creatures to be sent into space.
- A baktun is equal to one day in the Mayan Long Count calendar.
- The Calendar Round used two overlapping yearly patterns.
- Your friend Sheila wants to learn more about astronomy and is planning on pursuing a degree in the field. Which of the following might she tend to talk about more on her summers off when you visit her?
- ____ are crucial in determining the distance to objects that are far away, but still in the Milky Way galaxy.a.Emission nebulaeb.Cepheid variable starsc.RR Lyrae starsd.O and B starse.Supernovae
- A "grand-design" galaxy contains clear spiral arms with few spurs.