Question 1

How many galaxies are there in the observable universe?

Accepted Answer

A)  roughly (within a factor of 10) the same as the number of stars in our galaxy 
B)  roughly a thousand times more than the number of stars in our galaxy 
C)  about as many as the number of stars we see in the sky with our naked eyes 
D)  about as many as the number of grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth 
E)  infinity 
A)  roughly (within a factor of 10) the same as the number of stars in our galaxy 
B)  roughly a thousand times more than the number of stars in our galaxy 
C)  about as many as the number of stars we see in the sky with our naked eyes 
D)  about as many as the number of grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth 
E)  infinity

Question 2

Suppose we imagine the Sun to be about the size of a grapefruit. How big an area would the orbits of the nine planets of the Solar System cover?

Accepted Answer

A)  the size of a typical dorm room 
B)  the size of a typical campus building 
C)  the size of a typical campus 
D)  the size of a small city 
E)  the size of a western state (e.g.,Colorado) 
A)  the size of a typical dorm room 
B)  the size of a typical campus building 
C)  the size of a typical campus 
D)  the size of a small city 
E)  the size of a western state (e.g.,Colorado)

Question 3

How do the speeds at which we are moving with Earth's rotation and orbit compare to the speeds of more familiar objects?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth's rotation carries most people around the axis faster than a commercial jet travels, and Earth's orbit carries us around the Sun faster than the Space Shuttle orbits Earth. 
B)  Earth's rotation carries most people around the axis at about the speed of a commercial jet, and Earth's orbit carries us around the Sun at about the speed of a military jet. 
C)  Earth's rotation carries most people around the axis at about the speed of a car on the freeway, and Earth's orbit carries us around the Sun at about the speed of a commercial jet. 
D)  Earth's rotation carries most people around the axis at about the speed at which the Space Shuttle orbits Earth, and Earth's orbit carries us around the Sun at nearly the speed of light. 
A)  Earth's rotation carries most people around the axis faster than a commercial jet travels, and Earth's orbit carries us around the Sun faster than the Space Shuttle orbits Earth. 
B)  Earth's rotation carries most people around the axis at about the speed of a commercial jet, and Earth's orbit carries us around the Sun at about the speed of a military jet. 
C)  Earth's rotation carries most people around the axis at about the speed of a car on the freeway, and Earth's orbit carries us around the Sun at about the speed of a commercial jet. 
D)  Earth's rotation carries most people around the axis at about the speed at which the Space Shuttle orbits Earth, and Earth's orbit carries us around the Sun at nearly the speed of light.

Question 4

What do we mean when we say that the universe is expanding?

Accepted Answer

A)  Everything in the universe is gradually growing in size. 
B)  Within galaxies, average distances between star systems are increasing with time. 
C)  The statement is not meant to be literal; rather, it means that our knowledge of the universe is growing. 
D)  Average distances between galaxies are increasing with time. 
A)  Everything in the universe is gradually growing in size. 
B)  Within galaxies, average distances between star systems are increasing with time. 
C)  The statement is not meant to be literal; rather, it means that our knowledge of the universe is growing. 
D)  Average distances between galaxies are increasing with time.

Question 5

On a scale where the Sun is about the size of a grapefruit and the Earth is about 15 meters away, how far away are the nearest stars besides the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  100 meters 
B)  About the distance across 50 football fields 
C)  About the distance across the state of Delaware 
D)  About the distance across the United States 
A)  100 meters 
B)  About the distance across 50 football fields 
C)  About the distance across the state of Delaware 
D)  About the distance across the United States

Question 6

From the fact that virtually every galaxy is moving away from us and more distant galaxies are moving away from us at a faster rate than closer ones, we conclude that

Accepted Answer

A)  the Milky Way Galaxy is expanding. 
B)  we are located at the center of the universe. 
C)  the farthest galaxies will eventually be moving faster than the speed of light. 
D)  the universe is expanding. 
E)  the universe is shrinking. 
A)  the Milky Way Galaxy is expanding. 
B)  we are located at the center of the universe. 
C)  the farthest galaxies will eventually be moving faster than the speed of light. 
D)  the universe is expanding. 
E)  the universe is shrinking.

Question 7

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: NASA hopes to build a new telescope that will allow us to see some galaxies as they appeared 8 billion years ago.

Accepted Answer

Sensible: By looking to a dist

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the Milky Way Galaxy is not true?

Accepted Answer

A)  It contains between 100 billion and 1 trillion stars. 
B)  Our solar system is located very close to the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. 
C)  The galaxy is about 100,000 light-years in diameter. 
D)  One rotation of the galaxy takes about 200 million years. 
A)  It contains between 100 billion and 1 trillion stars. 
B)  Our solar system is located very close to the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. 
C)  The galaxy is about 100,000 light-years in diameter. 
D)  One rotation of the galaxy takes about 200 million years.

Question 9

Based on the idea of "spaceship Earth," write one or two paragraphs explaining why it is not the case that we are "just sitting here."

Accepted Answer

Far from just sitting still, we on Earth

Question 10

Which of the following is smallest?

Accepted Answer

A)  size of a typical planet 
B)  1 light-second 
C)  1 AU 
D)  size of a typical star 
A)  size of a typical planet 
B)  1 light-second 
C)  1 AU 
D)  size of a typical star

Question 11

When we look at an object that is 1,000 light-years away we see it ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  as it was 1,000 years ago 
B)  as it was 1,000 light-years ago 
C)  as it is right now, but it appears 1,000 times dimmer 
D)  looking just the same as our ancestors would have seen it 1,000 years ago 
A)  as it was 1,000 years ago 
B)  as it was 1,000 light-years ago 
C)  as it is right now, but it appears 1,000 times dimmer 
D)  looking just the same as our ancestors would have seen it 1,000 years ago

Question 12

Wendy measures a recession velocity for two distant galaxies, well outside our Local Group of galaxies. Galaxy A has a recession velocity of 35,000 km/s and Galaxy B has a recession velocity of 70,000 km/s. What can she say about the distances to those galaxies?

Accepted Answer

A)  She can't say anything about the distances to Galaxy A or B. 
B)  Galaxy A is twice as far as Galaxy B. 
C)  Galaxy A is four times as far as Galaxy B. 
D)  Galaxy B is four times as far as Galaxy A. 
E)  Galaxy B is twice as far as Galaxy A. 
A)  She can't say anything about the distances to Galaxy A or B. 
B)  Galaxy A is twice as far as Galaxy B. 
C)  Galaxy A is four times as far as Galaxy B. 
D)  Galaxy B is four times as far as Galaxy A. 
E)  Galaxy B is twice as far as Galaxy A.

Question 13

A typical galaxy is a ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  collection of a few hundred million to a trillion or more stars, bound together by gravity 
B)  large, glowing ball of gas powered by nuclear energy 
C)  nearby object orbiting a planet 
D)  relatively small, icy object orbiting a star 
E)  system consisting of one or a few stars orbited by planets, moons, and smaller objects 
A)  collection of a few hundred million to a trillion or more stars, bound together by gravity 
B)  large, glowing ball of gas powered by nuclear energy 
C)  nearby object orbiting a planet 
D)  relatively small, icy object orbiting a star 
E)  system consisting of one or a few stars orbited by planets, moons, and smaller objects

Question 14

Which of the following has your "cosmic address" in the correct order?

Accepted Answer

A)  You, Earth, solar system, Local Group, Local Supercluster, Milky Way Galaxy, universe 
B)  You, Earth, solar system, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Group, Local Supercluster, universe 
C)  You, Earth, Local Group, Local Supercluster, solar system, Milky Way Galaxy, universe 
D)  You, Earth, solar system, Local Group, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Supercluster, universe 
E)  You, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, solar system, Local Group, Local Supercluster, universe 
A)  You, Earth, solar system, Local Group, Local Supercluster, Milky Way Galaxy, universe 
B)  You, Earth, solar system, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Group, Local Supercluster, universe 
C)  You, Earth, Local Group, Local Supercluster, solar system, Milky Way Galaxy, universe 
D)  You, Earth, solar system, Local Group, Milky Way Galaxy, Local Supercluster, universe 
E)  You, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy, solar system, Local Group, Local Supercluster, universe

Question 15

The number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy is approximately ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  a few hundred 
B)  a few hundred thousand 
C)  a few hundred billion 
D)  a few hundred million 
A)  a few hundred 
B)  a few hundred thousand 
C)  a few hundred billion 
D)  a few hundred million

Question 16

Which statement about motion in the universe is not true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The mysterious dark matter is the fastest-moving material in the universe. 
B)  Some stars in the Milky Way Galaxy are moving toward us and others are moving away from us. 
C)  Except for a few nearby galaxies, all other galaxies are moving away from us. 
D)  Your speed of rotation around Earth's axis is faster if you live near the equator than if you live near the North Pole. 
A)  The mysterious dark matter is the fastest-moving material in the universe. 
B)  Some stars in the Milky Way Galaxy are moving toward us and others are moving away from us. 
C)  Except for a few nearby galaxies, all other galaxies are moving away from us. 
D)  Your speed of rotation around Earth's axis is faster if you live near the equator than if you live near the North Pole.

Question 17

According to current scientific estimates, when did the Big Bang occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  About 10 billion years ago 
B)  About 4.5 billion years ago 
C)  About 14 billion years ago 
D)  About 20 billion years ago 
E)  About 65 million years ago 
A)  About 10 billion years ago 
B)  About 4.5 billion years ago 
C)  About 14 billion years ago 
D)  About 20 billion years ago 
E)  About 65 million years ago

Question 18

One light-hour is the distance that light travels in an hour. How far is this, in kilometers? (Recall that the speed of light is 300,000 km/s.)

Accepted Answer

A)  300,000 km 
B)  18 million km 
C)  100 million km 
D)  1.08 billion km 
E)  9.46 trillion km 
A)  300,000 km 
B)  18 million km 
C)  100 million km 
D)  1.08 billion km 
E)  9.46 trillion km

Question 19

Rank the following 4 items by how long it takes for light to reach us from these objects, from shortest to longest.

Accepted Answer

A)  Sun, Pluto, the Andromeda Galaxy, center of the Milky Way 
B)  The Andromeda Galaxy, the center of the Milky Way, Pluto, Sun 
C)  Pluto, Sun, the Andromeda Galaxy, center of the Milky Way 
D)  Pluto, Sun, center of Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy 
E)  Sun, Pluto, center of the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy 
A)  Sun, Pluto, the Andromeda Galaxy, center of the Milky Way 
B)  The Andromeda Galaxy, the center of the Milky Way, Pluto, Sun 
C)  Pluto, Sun, the Andromeda Galaxy, center of the Milky Way 
D)  Pluto, Sun, center of Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy 
E)  Sun, Pluto, center of the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy

Question 20

An astronomical unit (AU) is ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  any very large unit, such as a light-year 
B)  the average distance between Earth and the Sun 
C)  the current distance between Earth and the Sun 
D)  the average distance between any planet and the Sun 
A)  any very large unit, such as a light-year 
B)  the average distance between Earth and the Sun 
C)  the current distance between Earth and the Sun 
D)  the average distance between any planet and the Sun

How many galaxies are there in the observable universe?

Suppose we imagine the Sun to be about the size of a grapefruit. How big an area would the orbits of the nine planets of the Solar System cover?

How do the speeds at which we are moving with Earth's rotation and orbit compare to the speeds of more familiar objects?

What do we mean when we say that the universe is expanding?

On a scale where the Sun is about the size of a grapefruit and the Earth is about 15 meters away, how far away are the nearest stars besides the Sun?

From the fact that virtually every galaxy is moving away from us and more distant galaxies are moving away from us at a faster rate than closer ones, we conclude that

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: NASA hopes to build a new telescope that will allow us to see some galaxies as they appeared 8 billion years ago.

Which of the following statements about the Milky Way Galaxy is not true?

Based on the idea of "spaceship Earth," write one or two paragraphs explaining why it is not the case that we are "just sitting here."

Which of the following is smallest?

When we look at an object that is 1,000 light-years away we see it ________.

Wendy measures a recession velocity for two distant galaxies, well outside our Local Group of galaxies. Galaxy A has a recession velocity of 35,000 km/s and Galaxy B has a recession velocity of 70,000 km/s. What can she say about the distances to those galaxies?

A typical galaxy is a ________.

Which of the following has your "cosmic address" in the correct order?

The number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy is approximately ________.

Which statement about motion in the universe is not true?

According to current scientific estimates, when did the Big Bang occur?

One light-hour is the distance that light travels in an hour. How far is this, in kilometers? (Recall that the speed of light is 300,000 km/s.)

Rank the following 4 items by how long it takes for light to reach us from these objects, from shortest to longest.

An astronomical unit (AU) is ________.

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of Planetary Systems: Our Solar System and Beyond

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet Systems

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

Galaxies and the Foundation of Modern Cosmology

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

The Beginning of Time

Life in the Universe

Filters

Exam 1: Our Place in the Universe

How many galaxies are there in the observable universe?

Suppose we imagine the Sun to be about the size of a grapefruit. How big an area would the orbits of the nine planets of the Solar System cover?

How do the speeds at which we are moving with Earth's rotation and orbit compare to the speeds of more familiar objects?

What do we mean when we say that the universe is expanding?

On a scale where the Sun is about the size of a grapefruit and the Earth is about 15 meters away, how far away are the nearest stars besides the Sun?

From the fact that virtually every galaxy is moving away from us and more distant galaxies are moving away from us at a faster rate than closer ones, we conclude that

Consider the following statement, and explain whether or not it is sensible: NASA hopes to build a new telescope that will allow us to see some galaxies as they appeared 8 billion years ago.

Which of the following statements about the Milky Way Galaxy is not true?

Based on the idea of "spaceship Earth," write one or two paragraphs explaining why it is not the case that we are "just sitting here."

Which of the following is smallest?

When we look at an object that is 1,000 light-years away we see it ________.

Wendy measures a recession velocity for two distant galaxies, well outside our Local Group of galaxies. Galaxy A has a recession velocity of 35,000 km/s and Galaxy B has a recession velocity of 70,000 km/s. What can she say about the distances to those galaxies?

A typical galaxy is a ________.

Which of the following has your "cosmic address" in the correct order?

The number of stars in the Milky Way Galaxy is approximately ________.

Which statement about motion in the universe is not true?

According to current scientific estimates, when did the Big Bang occur?

One light-hour is the distance that light travels in an hour. How far is this, in kilometers? (Recall that the speed of light is 300,000 km/s.)

Rank the following 4 items by how long it takes for light to reach us from these objects, from shortest to longest.

An astronomical unit (AU) is ________.

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of Planetary Systems: Our Solar System and Beyond

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet Systems

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

Galaxies and the Foundation of Modern Cosmology

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

The Beginning of Time

Life in the Universe

Filters