Space and astronomy self-test

1 Earth

What causes the regular cycle of day and night?

A Earth rotating on its axis B The Moon changing shape C The Sun orbiting Earth each day D Clouds blocking all light

2 Solar system

What object does Earth orbit?

A The Moon B The Sun C Mars D Polaris

3 Moon

Why does the Moon show phases?

A We see changing portions of its sunlit half as it orbits Earth B Earths shadow covers it every week C The Moon produces different amounts of light D Clouds reshape it

4 Seasons

What is the main cause of Earths seasons?

A The tilt of Earths axis as it orbits the Sun B Large monthly changes in distance from the Sun C The phases of the Moon D Ocean tides

5 Stars

What is the Sun?

A A star B A planet C A moon D A galaxy

6 Distance

What does a light-year measure?

A Distance B Time C Brightness D Mass

7 Gravity

Why do planets remain in orbit around the Sun?

A Gravity continually bends their moving paths B There is no force acting on them C Solar wind holds them like a solid rope D They stop moving each night

8 Stars

What powers a normal star such as the Sun?

A Nuclear fusion in its core B Burning coal C Reflected moonlight D Friction with Earths atmosphere

9 Galaxies

What is the Milky Way?

A The galaxy containing our solar system B A ring around Saturn C A type of comet D The nearest star

10 Light

What can spectroscopy reveal about a distant star?

A Chemical composition, temperature, and motion B Its street address C The exact number of planets in every case D Only its apparent size

11 Exoplanets

What happens during a planetary transit?

A A planet passes in front of its star and slightly dims the observed light B A star leaves its galaxy C Earth enters a black hole D A comet becomes a moon

12 Telescopes

Why are different telescopes designed for radio, infrared, visible, or X-ray light?

A Astronomical objects emit information across the electromagnetic spectrum B All wavelengths behave identically in every detector C Only visible light reaches space D Telescope size determines the day of observation