Science Grade 9 Space Unit - Alberta

Question 1

What is Interferometry?

Answer 1

A technique used in astronomy to improve the resolution of observations by combining signals from multiple telescopes

Interferometry allows for the creation of a virtual telescope with a much larger aperture.

Question 2

What is the Hubble Space Telescope?

Answer 2

A space telescope that has provided high-resolution images of astronomical objects since its launch in 1990

Hubble operates in the visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared spectra.

Question 3

How do radio telescopes work?

Answer 3

They collect and analyze radiation in the radio frequency range from stars and other objects in space

Radio telescopes can detect signals that are not visible to optical telescopes.

Question 4

What is the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

Answer 4

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation

Includes gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves.

Question 5

Define Wavelength.

Answer 5

The distance between successive crests of a wave

Wavelength is inversely related to frequency.

Question 6

What are the advantages of using Radio Telescopes?

Answer 6

• Not affected by weather, pollution, or atmosphere
• Work during the day and night
• Can detect neutral hydrogen and map the universe

These advantages make radio telescopes essential for astronomical observations.

Question 7

What is Radio Interferometry?

Answer 7

A technique that combines multiple radio telescopes to improve performance and increase the accuracy of radio images

This method enhances the resolution of radio observations.

Question 8

How do scientists measure the distance of objects in space?

Answer 8

By using triangulation and parallax

Triangulation involves creating an imaginary triangle, while parallax relies on the apparent movement of nearby objects.

Question 9

What is Parallax?

Answer 9

The apparent movement of a nearby object against a distant background due to a change in the observer’s perspective

Stars that are closer appear to move more compared to those that are farther away.

Question 10

What is a Spectroscope?

Answer 10

An instrument used by astronomers to observe and measure the spectrum of a star

It helps in determining the composition of celestial objects.

Question 11

What does the Doppler Effect describe?

Answer 11

The apparent change in frequency of sound, light, and other waves as the observer and the wave source move toward or away from each other

This phenomenon is used to determine the motion of stars.

Question 12

What is Blueshifted?

Answer 12

The phenomenon when a star is moving toward the observer, resulting in a shift to shorter wavelengths

Indicates that the star is approaching Earth.

Question 13

What is Redshifted?

Answer 13

The phenomenon when a star is moving away from the observer, resulting in a shift to longer wavelengths

Indicates that the star is receding from Earth.

Question 14

What is Space Junk?

Answer 14

All pieces of debris that have come off of rockets, satellites, space stations, and space equipment

Space junk poses a risk to current space missions and satellites.

Question 15

What are some risks before a rocket takeoff?

Answer 15

• Highly explosive fuel
• Poor weather conditions
• Malfunctioning equipment
• Birds

These factors can jeopardize the mission’s success.

Question 16

What dangers do astronauts face in space?

Answer 16

• Solar radiation
• Cosmic radiation

These types of radiation can damage vital organs and bone marrow.

Question 17

What is the importance of the re-entry angle of a rocket?

Answer 17

The angle determines whether the rocket will bounce off the atmosphere or burn up

A shallow angle can cause it to exit back into space, while a steep angle can lead to disintegration.

Question 18

What is the Canadarm?

Answer 18

A robotic arm used in space missions, controlled remotely, and one of Canada’s significant contributions to space exploration

Launched in 1981, it played a crucial role in various space operations.

Question 19

What is the Canadarm2?

Answer 19

An advanced version of the Canadarm that can move itself around the International Space Station

It makes every part of the station accessible for operations.

Question 20

What was Alouette 1?

Answer 20

The first space satellite launched by Canada for non-military purposes

It marked a significant step in space exploration for civilian uses.

Question 21

What was Anik 1?

Answer 21

The first satellite launched by Canada for communication purposes in 1972

It enabled Canada to establish communication capabilities for the first time.

Question 23

What are the parts of a rocket?

Answer 23

Fuel, Payload, Structural and Mechanical

Payload refers to all the stuff you are trying to take to space. Structural and Mechanical includes the rocket itself, inside and outside.

Question 24

What does Newton’s third law state?

Answer 24

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Question 25

What are staged rockets?

Answer 25

Rockets that fall off during ascent.

Question 26

What is an ion drive?

Answer 26

A type of engine that uses xenon gas, is electrically charged, and then accelerated using magnets. ## Footnote Ion drives are weak but long-lasting.

Question 27

What are solar sails?

Answer 27

Sails that are pushed forward by photons emitted by the sun. ## Footnote Solar sails must be very big to be effective.

Question 28

What are the types of spacecraft?

Answer 28

* Space Shuttles * Space Probes * Space Stations ## Footnote Spacecraft transports people and equipment, contains instruments and tools for exploration, and is used for research and extended stays in space.

Question 29

What are some hazards of living in space?

Answer 29

* Environmental * Psychological * Physical ## Footnote Hazards include damaging cosmic rays, extreme temperatures, lack of air or water, psychological problems from long trips, and physical weakening due to microgravity.

Question 30

What is the process used to split water in life support systems?

Answer 30

Electrolysis.

Question 31

What are natural satellites?

Answer 31

Any smaller object orbiting a larger one in space naturally, such as the rings of Saturn.

Question 32

What are artificial satellites?

Answer 32

Man-made satellites used to benefit humans, like those for communication and weather.

Question 33

What is the purpose of communication satellites?

Answer 33

To allow communication and monitoring without wires connecting each other.

Question 34

What do satellites for observation do?

Answer 34

Track and monitor the weather.

Question 35

What is geosynchronous orbit?

Answer 35

An orbit where a satellite circles the Earth once a day.

Question 36

What is remote sensing?

Answer 36

Looking at Earth through space and getting information sent back down.

Question 37

How many satellites does GPS contain?

Answer 37

At least 24 satellites.

Question 38

How many satellites need to be above you for GPS to work?

Answer 38

At least 3 satellites.

Question 39

In what orbit do GPS satellites fly?

Answer 39

Low Earth orbit, circling Earth twice a day.

Question 40

What practical purposes do we have for looking at the sky?

Answer 40

For practical purposes ## Footnote Observing celestial events helps with navigation, agriculture, and understanding time.

Question 41

What is a Solstice?

Answer 41

First day of summer and winter, both the longest and shortest days.

Question 42

What is an Equinox?

Answer 42

First day of spring and fall, both night and day are equal.

Question 43

What does the Geocentric Model represent?

Answer 43

Earth at the center surrounded by the 5 known planets at the time.

Question 44

What is the Heliocentric Model?

Answer 44

A model showing the Sun at the center of the Solar System.

Question 45

What was the purpose of a Sundial?

Answer 45

Measure the time of day.

Question 46

What is a Merket used for?

Answer 46

Used to track stars to measure time at night.

Question 47

What is an Astrolabe?

Answer 47

Used to measure incline position of things in the star.

Question 48

What does a Quadrat measure?

Answer 48

Used to measure the height of stars above the horizon.

Question 49

What does a Cross-staff measure?

Answer 49

Measure the angle between the sun and moon.

Question 50

What is an Astronomical Unit?

Answer 50

Equal to the distance of the Earth to the Sun.

Question 51

What is a Light-Year?

Answer 51

A unit of distance that light travels in one year.

Question 52

What happens the farther away you look in space?

Answer 52

The farther back you are seeing in time.

Question 53

What are stars primarily made of?

Answer 53

Mostly hydrogen gas.

Question 54

Define Constellations.

Answer 54

Grouping of stars.

Question 55

What are Asterisms?

Answer 55

A recognizable pattern of stars within a constellation.

Question 56

What is a Galaxy?

Answer 56

Group of stars, gas, and dust held by gravity.

Question 57

What is a Nebula?

Answer 57

A giant cloud of dust and gas.

Question 58

What is Interstellar Matter?

Answer 58

Matter that exists in the space between stars.

Question 59

What is a Protostar?

Answer 59

An early stage of star formation.

Question 60

What characterizes Sun-Like stars?

Answer 60

Stars similar in size and composition to the Sun.

Question 61

What is a Red Giant?

Answer 61

A star that has expanded and cooled after exhausting its hydrogen fuel.

Question 62

What is a White Dwarf?

Answer 62

The remnant core of a low to medium mass star.

Question 63

What is a Black Dwarf?

Answer 63

A theoretical stellar remnant that has cooled sufficiently.

Question 64

What is a Supernova?

Answer 64

A powerful and luminous explosion of a star.

Question 65

What is a Neutron Star?

Answer 65

A dense stellar remnant composed mostly of neutrons.

Question 66

What is a Black Hole?

Answer 66

A region of space having a gravitational field so strong that nothing can escape from it.

Question 67

What is the Protoplanet Hypothesis?

Answer 67

A theory explaining the formation of the solar system from a rotating cloud of gas and dust.

Question 68

What is the surface temperature of the Sun?

Answer 68

5,000 °C.

Question 69

What is the core temperature of the Sun?

Answer 69

15,000,000 °C.

Question 70

What are Terrestrial Planets?

Answer 70

Smaller, rockier, and close to the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.

Question 71

What are Jovian Planets?

Answer 71

Gas giants further from the Sun: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

Question 72

Define Asteroids.

Answer 72

Rocky or metallic bodies that orbit the sun, leftover from planet formation.

Question 73

What are Comets?

Answer 73

Big balls of dust and ice that follow a regular orbit and have tails when near the Sun.

Question 74

Fill in the blank: A Meteoroid is like an _______.

Answer 74

asteroid hunks of rocks flying around space.

Question 75

What happens when Meteors enter our atmosphere?

Answer 75

They become visible as shooting stars.

Question 76

What are Meteorites?

Answer 76

Meteors that end up on Earth.

Question 77

What is a Solar Eclipse?

Answer 77

The Moon is between the Earth and Sun.

Question 78

What is a Lunar Eclipse?

Answer 78

The Earth is between the Sun and the Moon.

Question 79

Define Azimuth.

Answer 79

The angle measured clockwise from North.

Question 80

What are the azimuth angles for North, East, South, and West?

Answer 80

North: 0°, East: 90°, South: 180°, West: 270°.

Question 81

Define Altitude.

Answer 81

The angle above the horizon.

Question 82

What is the altitude at the horizon and at the zenith?

Answer 82

Horizon: 0°, Zenith: 90°.

Question 83

What is the Ecliptic?

Answer 83

The path in which the Sun appears to follow during the year.