Chapter 1: A Modern View of the Universe PDF

Chapter 1: A Modern View of the Universe What is the astronomical hierarchy of structures from smallest to largest? a) Earth → Solar System → Milky Way → Universe b) Solar System → Local Group → Universe → Milky Way c) Earth → Galaxy → Universe → Local Group d) Earth → Milky Way → Solar System → Un...

Chapter 1: A Modern View of the Universe What is the astronomical hierarchy of structures from smallest to largest? a) Earth → Solar System → Milky Way → Universe b) Solar System → Local Group → Universe → Milky Way c) Earth → Galaxy → Universe → Local Group d) Earth → Milky Way → Solar System → Universe Answer: a Why do dwarf planets like Pluto fail to meet the definition of a planet? a) They are not spherical. b) They have not cleared their orbit of other debris. c) They lack sufficient mass for self-gravity. d) They do not orbit a star. Answer: b What is a star system? a) A collection of galaxies orbiting a black hole b) A star with planets and moons orbiting it c) A group of stars with no planets d) A collection of binary stars orbiting each other Answer: b What is the Milky Way Galaxy? a) A supermassive black hole b) A collection of star clusters, stars, and gas orbiting a common center c) A single galaxy containing all the stars in the universe d) A spiral galaxy made entirely of stars Answer: b What is the Laniakea Supercluster? a) A cluster of nearby star systems b) A galaxy that contains the Milky Way c) A massive collection of galaxy clusters, including the Milky Way's Local Group d) The largest galaxy in the universe Answer: c What is an astronomical unit (AU)? a) The average distance between Earth and the Moon b) The distance light travels in one year c) The average distance between Earth and the Sun d) The diameter of the Solar System Answer: c What does the term "light-year" refer to? a) The time it takes light to travel around Earth b) The time it takes for Earth to orbit the Sun c) The distance light travels in one year d) The time it takes for light to reach the Moon Answer: c Why do we see "look-back time" when observing distant galaxies? a) The speed of light is infinite, so we see galaxies as they are now. b) The light from galaxies takes time to reach us, showing us their past state. c) Distant galaxies emit light more slowly than nearby ones. d) The universe is static, so time does not affect observations. Answer: b