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Questions and Answers
What constellation is the Big Dipper a part of?
What constellation is the Big Dipper a part of?
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Which star group is found in the summer sky just under Ursa Major's nose?
Which star group is found in the summer sky just under Ursa Major's nose?
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What marks the beginning of a lunar month?
What marks the beginning of a lunar month?
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Which constellation is visible between December and May and looks like two brothers holding hands?
Which constellation is visible between December and May and looks like two brothers holding hands?
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How can we use the Big Dipper to find Regulus?
How can we use the Big Dipper to find Regulus?
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What are the flat plains on the moon called?
What are the flat plains on the moon called?
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What is the purpose of the atmosphere?
What is the purpose of the atmosphere?
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How many Earths can fit inside the Sun?
How many Earths can fit inside the Sun?
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What is the main process through which our food is made?
What is the main process through which our food is made?
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What is the name of the swirling storm we see on Jupiter's surface?
What is the name of the swirling storm we see on Jupiter's surface?
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How many bands of rings surround Saturn at its equator?
How many bands of rings surround Saturn at its equator?
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Who discovered Uranus?
Who discovered Uranus?
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What is unusual about Uranus?
What is unusual about Uranus?
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How many dark rings does Uranus have?
How many dark rings does Uranus have?
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Which moon of Saturn is larger than Mercury and has its own atmosphere?
Which moon of Saturn is larger than Mercury and has its own atmosphere?
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'Triton' is one of the largest moons of which planet?
'Triton' is one of the largest moons of which planet?
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'Triton' has which of the following unique features?
'Triton' has which of the following unique features?
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'Atmosphere' is best described as:
'Atmosphere' is best described as:
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What does 'air pressure' measure?
What does 'air pressure' measure?
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The Big Dipper is a part of the Ursa Major constellation.
The Big Dipper is a part of the Ursa Major constellation.
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The North Star is located in the Little Dipper constellation.
The North Star is located in the Little Dipper constellation.
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The Gemini constellation is visible between June and November.
The Gemini constellation is visible between June and November.
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The Southern Cross is the most familiar constellation in the Northern sky.
The Southern Cross is the most familiar constellation in the Northern sky.
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Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are the outer planets in our solar system.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are the outer planets in our solar system.
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Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are collectively known as the outer planets.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are collectively known as the outer planets.
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The Earth is the only planet with a liquid mantle surrounding its core.
The Earth is the only planet with a liquid mantle surrounding its core.
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The spacecraft named Galileo provided information about the inner planets.
The spacecraft named Galileo provided information about the inner planets.
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The waxing phase of the moon occurs when the moon grows smaller.
The waxing phase of the moon occurs when the moon grows smaller.
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A lunar eclipse happens when the moon travels through the sun's shadow.
A lunar eclipse happens when the moon travels through the sun's shadow.
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Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.
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Saturn has five bands of rings surrounding it at its equator.
Saturn has five bands of rings surrounding it at its equator.
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Titan, a moon of Saturn, is smaller than Mercury and lacks its own atmosphere.
Titan, a moon of Saturn, is smaller than Mercury and lacks its own atmosphere.
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Uranus is tilted over on its side with its poles pointing directly toward and away from the sun during the summer and winter seasons.
Uranus is tilted over on its side with its poles pointing directly toward and away from the sun during the summer and winter seasons.
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Uranus has 13 bright rings surrounding it.
Uranus has 13 bright rings surrounding it.
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Neptune is the closest planet to the sun with the calmest atmosphere in the solar system.
Neptune is the closest planet to the sun with the calmest atmosphere in the solar system.
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Triton, one of Neptune's moons, has a thick atmosphere.
Triton, one of Neptune's moons, has a thick atmosphere.
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Triton has the hottest temperature measured in the solar system.
Triton has the hottest temperature measured in the solar system.
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Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air we breathe.
Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air we breathe.
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Air does not help to warm the earth.
Air does not help to warm the earth.
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The atmosphere has two purposes: to warm and protect the Earth.
The atmosphere has two purposes: to warm and protect the Earth.
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The sun is a source of light and darkness.
The sun is a source of light and darkness.
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Sunspots are hotter than the surrounding gases in the photosphere.
Sunspots are hotter than the surrounding gases in the photosphere.
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The photosphere is safe to look at.
The photosphere is safe to look at.
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The chromosphere is known as the 'sphere of color'.
The chromosphere is known as the 'sphere of color'.
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A monochromator is used to view the photosphere of the sun.
A monochromator is used to view the photosphere of the sun.
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The corona can be seen surrounding the sun during a total lunar eclipse.
The corona can be seen surrounding the sun during a total lunar eclipse.
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The core of the sun is the surface layer we see with our eyes.
The core of the sun is the surface layer we see with our eyes.
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Photosynthesis is the process by which the sun gives food to all living things.
Photosynthesis is the process by which the sun gives food to all living things.
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Light from the sun takes one hour to reach Earth.
Light from the sun takes one hour to reach Earth.
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What are the three main purposes of the atmosphere?
What are the three main purposes of the atmosphere?
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How far is the sun from the earth?
How far is the sun from the earth?
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What process is responsible for making our food?
What process is responsible for making our food?
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Why are sunspots darker than the rest of the sun's surface?
Why are sunspots darker than the rest of the sun's surface?
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What is the innermost section of the sun called?
What is the innermost section of the sun called?
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What is the surface layer of the sun that we can see with our eyes called?
What is the surface layer of the sun that we can see with our eyes called?
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What is the vapor blanket surrounding the sun known as?
What is the vapor blanket surrounding the sun known as?
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What does the chromosphere of the sun display?
What does the chromosphere of the sun display?
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How do we view the chromosphere of the sun?
How do we view the chromosphere of the sun?
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In what two ways is the sun helpful?
In what two ways is the sun helpful?
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What is the name of the North Star?
What is the name of the North Star?
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In which constellation can the star Regulus be found?
In which constellation can the star Regulus be found?
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How can the Big Dipper be used to locate the star Arcturus?
How can the Big Dipper be used to locate the star Arcturus?
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What is the brightest star in the sky?
What is the brightest star in the sky?
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Which constellation looks like two brothers holding hands and is visible between December and May?
Which constellation looks like two brothers holding hands and is visible between December and May?
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What is the most impressive constellation that resembles a mighty hunter?
What is the most impressive constellation that resembles a mighty hunter?
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What marks the beginning of a lunar month?
What marks the beginning of a lunar month?
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What are the four inner planets closest to the sun known as?
What are the four inner planets closest to the sun known as?
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Which planet is often confused with a star named Antares?
Which planet is often confused with a star named Antares?
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What do we call the flat plains on the moon?
What do we call the flat plains on the moon?
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What is the name of the swirling storm we see on Jupiter's surface?
What is the name of the swirling storm we see on Jupiter's surface?
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How many bands of rings surround Saturn at its equator?
How many bands of rings surround Saturn at its equator?
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Who discovered Uranus?
Who discovered Uranus?
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What is unusual about Uranus?
What is unusual about Uranus?
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How many dark rings does Uranus have?
How many dark rings does Uranus have?
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Which moon of Saturn is larger than Mercury and has its own atmosphere?
Which moon of Saturn is larger than Mercury and has its own atmosphere?
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What is the furthest planet from the sun?
What is the furthest planet from the sun?
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What is the name of one of Neptune's largest moons that has its own magnetic field?
What is the name of one of Neptune's largest moons that has its own magnetic field?
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Which air molecule makes up 78% of the air we breathe?
Which air molecule makes up 78% of the air we breathe?
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Which air molecule makes up 21% of the air we breathe?
Which air molecule makes up 21% of the air we breathe?
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Study Notes
Constellations
- Constellations are star groups that resemble people, animals, and objects
- The Big Dipper is a starting point for locating constellations and is part of the Great Bear/Ursa Major constellation
- The two stars in the Big Dipper's bowl farthest from the handle are called Pointers
- Polaris is the North Star and the last star in the handle of the Little Dipper
- The Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Polaris can be seen all year round
Leo the Lion
- Leo is a constellation located just below Ursa Major and can be seen in February-June
- Regulus is a star found in Leo
- To find Regulus, draw a straight line down from the two stars in the Big Dipper that make up the side of the bowl closest to the handle
Herdsman
- The Herdsman is a star group found in the summer sky just under Ursa Major's nose
- Arcturus is the largest star in the Herdsman constellation
- To find the Herdsman, continue the curved line of the Big Dipper's handle to the star Arcturus
Sirius and Gemini
- Sirius is the brightest star in the sky
- Castor and Pollux are the names of the Twins (constellation)
- Gemini is visible between December and May and looks like two brothers holding hands
- To locate Gemini, draw an imaginary diagonal line that passes through the Big Dipper's bowl and continues outward from the bottom right corner
Orion and Scorpion
- Orion is the most impressive constellation and looks like a mighty hunter
- Betelgeuse and Rigel are the two supergiant stars in the constellation Orion
- The star Sirius is located in the Big Dog (Canis Major) constellation
- Scorpion is a constellation that looks like a dreaded arachnid and weaves through the Southern sky
- Antares is the most outstanding star found in the Scorpion
Moon
- The flat plains on the moon are called seas (maria)
- The Sea of Tranquility is one of the moon's flat plains where astronauts landed
- Apollo 11 was the spacecraft that landed on the moon in 1969
- The new moon marks the beginning of a lunar month and is also called the "hidden moon" or "invisible moon"
- The phases of the moon in order are: new moon, crescent phase, first quarter, gibbous phase, full moon, gibbous phase, third quarter, and crescent phase
Planets
- Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are the inner planets
- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are the outer planets
- Pioneers 10 and 11, Voyagers 1 and 2, Galileo, and Cassini are the names of the spacecraft that have brought us information about the outer planets
- Mercury is the closest planet to the sun with a year lasting 88 days
- Venus is the brightest planet in the sky and is known as a twin planet with Earth
Sun and Atmosphere
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The sun gives us life and light
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The atmosphere is a blanket of air wrapped around the earth that warms, protects, and gives life
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Photosynthesis is the process by which our food is made through green plants
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The sun is a source of energy
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The core is the innermost section of the sun
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The photosphere is the surface layer of the sun that we see with our eyes
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Sunspots are dark spots on the sun's surface that are cooler than the surrounding gases
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The chromosphere is the fiery atmosphere of the sun that displays giant bursts of gas
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The corona is the vapor blanket surrounding the sun that is only visible during a total solar eclipse### The Solar System
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Earth is the only planet in the solar system that is suitable for life.
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Mars is known as the Red Planet.
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Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and has a swirling storm known as the Great Red Spot.
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Saturn is the second-largest planet and has seven bands of rings surrounding it at its equator.
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Titan, a moon of Saturn, is larger than Mercury and has its own atmosphere.
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Uranus is tipped over on its side, with its poles pointing directly towards and away from the sun during the summer and winter seasons, and has 13 dark rings.
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Neptune is the furthest planet from the sun and has the strongest winds in the solar system.
Moons and Atmosphere
- Triton, a moon of Neptune, has its own magnetic field and a very thin atmosphere, and is the coldest temperature measured in the solar system.
- The atmosphere is the protective wrapper around the Earth, and is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.
- Air is important for breathing, hearing, giving us fresh water, warming the Earth, and protecting the Earth.
The Earth's Atmosphere
- The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere and has air pressure.
- The troposphere is the narrowest layer of Earth's atmosphere.
Constellations
- Constellations are star groups that resemble people, animals, and objects.
- The Big Dipper is a star group that can be used as a starting point for locating constellations.
- The Big Dipper is part of the Ursa Major/Great Bear constellation.
- The two stars in the Big Dipper's bowl farthest from the handle are called the Pointers.
- Polaris is the North Star and is located in the Little Dipper.
- The Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Polaris can be seen all year round.
- Leo the Lion is a constellation that can be seen in February-June.
- Regulus is a star found in Leo.
- The Herdsman constellation is found in the summer sky and Arcturus is the largest star in the Herdsman.
- Sirius is the brightest star in the sky and is located in the Canis Major constellation.
- Castor and Pollux are the names of the Twins (constellation).
- Gemini/the Twins is a constellation visible between December and May.
- Orion is the most impressive constellation and looks like a mighty hunter.
- Betelgeuse and Rigel are the two supergiant stars in the constellation Orion.
- The Scorpion is a constellation that looks like a dreaded arachnid and weaves through the Southern sky.
- Antares is the most outstanding star found in the Scorpion.
The Moon
- The flat plains on the moon are called seas (maria).
- The Sea of Tranquility is one of the moon's flat plains where astronauts landed on.
- Apollo 11 was the spacecraft that landed on the moon in 1969.
- A new moon marks the beginning of a lunar month and is also known as the "hidden moon" or "invisible moon".
- The phases of the moon in order are: new moon, crescent phase, first quarter, gibbous phase, full moon, gibbous phase, third quarter, and crescent phase.
The Inner and Outer Planets
- The inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
- The inner planets are collectively known as the inner planets.
- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are the four outer planets.
- The outer planets are collectively known as the outer planets.
- The names of the spacecraft that have brought us information about the outer planets are: Pioneers 10 and 11, Voyagers 1 and 2, Galileo, and Cassini.
- Mercury is the closest planet to the sun and has a year that is 88 days long.
- Venus is the brightest planet in the sky and is known as the twin planet of Earth.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the atmosphere and the sun with questions on the purposes of the atmosphere, the distance between the sun and the earth, and the process of photosynthesis. Find out interesting facts about these essential elements of life!
