Deck 8: The Cosmos

Question 1

Which of the following represents a range that is closest to the true age of the universe?

A) 5-10 million years
B) 50-100 million years
C) 8-20 billion years
D) 50-100 billion years

Answer 1

8-20 billion years

Question 2

Which of the following describes a type of star that was discovered because its magnetic field caused some spacecraft to automatically shut down their instruments?

A) Leptar
B) Pulsar
C) Quasar
D) Magnetar

Answer 2

Magnetar

Question 3

Considering only general size, density, and chemical composition, which of the following planets is most similar to Earth?

A) Jupiter
B) Venus
C) Saturn
D) Neptune

Answer 3

Venus

Question 4

If you were in search of the Hubble Space Telescope, the most likely place you would find it would be which of the following?

A) As part of the Sojourner rover vehicle
B) At the Palomar Observatory
C) In orbit around the Earth
D) Mounted on Voyager I

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the International Space Station?

A) The result of a cooperative effort among nations to construct the first space vehicle to leave our Solar System
B) The result of a cooperative effort among nations to construct the first space vehicle to orbit and study comets
C) The first space vehicle to carry humans to Mars
D) A laboratory in orbit around the Earth

Question 6

The Orion Multipurpose Crew Vehicle can best be thought of as which of the following?

A) An unmanned space vehicle
B) A space vehicle to land on Mars
C) A space vehicle to orbit the Earth
D) A replacement for the International Space Station

Question 7

Which of the following defines constellations?

A) Earth's natural satellites
B) Groups of stars forming specific patterns
C) A rapidly spinning remnant of a supernova explosion
D) Extremely bring objects in the universe at the centers of galaxies

Question 8

Which of the following represents the estimated amount of time that the sun has left to live?

A) 5 million years
B) 10 million years
C) 5 billion years
D) 10 billion years

Question 9

Which of the following can be described as a remnant of a supernova explosion?

A) Comet
B) Quasar
C) Pulsar
D) Black hole

Question 10

The Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) is described as which of the following?

A) A galaxy
B) A satellite
C) A magnetar
D) A space shuttle

Question 11

In at least three sentences, describe the characteristics of quasars, and speculate about why astronomers are interested in studying them.

Question 12

In at least three sentences, describe the characteristics of pulsars, and speculate about why astronomers are interested in studying them.

Question 13

In at least three sentences, describe the characteristics of black holes, and speculate about why astronomers are interested in studying them.

Question 14

The terms solar system, galaxy, and universe are often confused as people speak about astronomy. In a paragraph, discuss how these terms are related to one another.

Question 15

Elementary students are highly interested in topics such as black holes, yet astronomers know very little about the nature of black holes. In fact, their existence is hypothesized but not yet fully confirmed. In at least three sentences, describe what it is about the nature of black holes that makes them so difficult for astronomers to study.

Question 16

The space shuttle has had some enormous successes and tragic failures as a method of space exploration. Consequently, some would argue that it is an overly expensive and dangerous undertaking with research goals that could be more easily fulfilled through the use of space vehicles without humans on board. In a paragraph, describe what you see as the principal long-term benefits of using the space shuttle.

Question 17

The North Star holds much historical significance. For example, the North Star was vital during the period of history in which African Americans were seeking emancipation. Given its importance, describe in a paragraph how you would help children understand how to find the North Star in the sky.

Question 18

It is believed that the sun formed about 5 billion years ago. In a paragraph, describe the process that is assumed to have taken place, resulting in the sun's formation.

Question 19

It is believed that the Earth's moon formed several billion years ago. In a paragraph, describe the process that is assumed to have taken place, resulting in the moon's formation.

Question 20

In this chapter, the authors state that in 2006, the International Astronomical Union redefined the definition of the term planet as a celestial body. In a paragraph, provide this definition, and then speak to why, according to this definition, Pluto is no longer considered a planet.