The Universe

Question 1

Asteroid

Answer 1

small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun

Question 2

Asteroid belt

Answer 2

the region of interplanetary space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in which most asteroids are found

Question 3

Big Bang

Answer 3

The theory of how the universe started through the expansion of matter through a extremely hot and dense spot

Question 4

Comet

Answer 4

Comets are large objects made of dust and ice that orbit the Sun

Question 5

Galaxy

Answer 5

A galaxy is a huge collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars and their solar systems, all held together by gravity

Question 6

Kuiper belt

Answer 6

The Kuiper Belt is a ring of icy objects around the Sun, extending just beyond the orbit of Neptune from about 30 to 55 AU.

Question 7

Meteor

Answer 7

A space rock or meteoroid that enters Earth;s atmosphere.

Question 8

Meteoroid

Answer 8

Pieces of rock or iron floating around space.

Question 9

Meteorite

Answer 9

Meteorites are space rocks that fall to Earth’s surface.

Question 10

Moon

Answer 10

the natural satellite of the earth, visible (chiefly at night) by reflected light from the sun.

Question 11

Oort cloud

Answer 11

a spherical layer of icy objects surrounding our Sun, a star,

Question 12

Quasar

Answer 12

a supermassive black hole feeding on gas at the center of a distant galaxy

Question 13

Redshift

Answer 13

the wavelength of the light is stretched, so the light is seen as ‘shifted’ towards the red part of the spectrum

Question 14

Revolve

Answer 14

move in a circle on a central axis.

Question 15

Revolution

Answer 15

and object that goes around something else

Question 16

Solar System

Question 17

Universe

Question 18

How old is the universe?

Question 19

How old is our solar system?

Answer 19

4.5 billion years old

Question 20

What is an AU?

Answer 20

Astronomical Unit

Question 21

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

Question 22

How fast does a light year travel?

Answer 22

300,000 km

Question 23

Identify what the cores of the inner planets are made of?

Question 24

Identify what the cores of the outer planets are made of?

Question 25

Identify what the “surfaces” of the inner planets are made of?

Question 26

Identify what the “surfaces” of the outer planets are made of?

Question 27

What two inner planets have similar atmospheres? What is this atmosphere made of?

Question 28

What two inner planets are similar in size, mass, and density?

Question 29

How many moons does each inner planet have?

Question 30

Pluto is in what region of the universe?

Question 31

Differentiate between asteroids, comets, and meteoroids.

Answer 31

Asteroids are made of rock and float within space, Meteoroids are made of rock but they are within the earth’s atmosphere, and comets are icy dirt or rocks.

Question 32

Why are inner planets closer to the Sun than outer planets?

Answer 32

They are smaller, rockier and can dense faster.

Question 33

What are the three reasons that make Pluto a dwarf planet?

Answer 33

Mass, not clear orbital path, and not on the same plane as the other planets