Astronomy Study Guide – September, 2012
Theories
EQ #1: How has technology changed man’s knowledge of the Universe?
1) Geocentric Theory: What is the geocentric theory? Draw a picture illustrating this theory? What
evidence supported it?
2) Heliocentric Theory: What is the heliocentric theory? Draw a picture illustrating this theory? What
evidence supports it?
3)
Big Bang Theory: What is the Big Bang theory? What is the point called that contained all matter and
energy? What evidence supports this theory?
Earth’s Motion
EQ #2: How does Earth’s motion cause seasons and day/night?
1) Which motion causes day/night?
2) Which motion causes a year?
3) How long is an Earth year?
4) What is the closed path that Earth travels called?
5) What are the two forces that keep the Earth on this path?
6) What does Newton’s Law of Motion state?
7) Why does the Earth have seasons?
8) What would have to happen in order for the Earth to not have seasons?
9) Which seasons have a solstice?
10) What seasons have an equinox? What happens during an equinox?
11) What two factors affect the gravitational pull of an object? (Remember my demonstration in class.)
12) How does the revolution speed (orbital velocity) of an inner planet compare to the revolution speed
(orbital velocity) of an outer planet?
Planets:
EQ #3: Compare and contrast the planets.
1) What happens to the distance between planets as you move farther from the Sun?
2) Name the four outer planets.
3) Name the four inner planets.
4) What separates the inner and outer planets?
5) Which planet is Earth’s Twin?
6) Which planet has a large storm that moves across its surface?
7) Which planet has a red surface and the largest mountain?
8) Which planet is very warm because of the greenhouse effect?
9) Why is there such a temperature difference between the day and night sides of Mercury?
10) Which planet has a density so low (below 1) that it could float in water?
11) How does the density of the outer planets compare to the density of the inner planets?
12) Which planet rotates on its side?
Galaxies
Compare and contrast the three types of galaxies.
1) What characteristic do astronomers use to classify galaxies?
2) What are the three types of galaxies? Describe and draw a picture of each type.
3)
What is the name of our galaxy? What type of galaxy is it?
4) Draw a picture of our galaxy. Put a star where our solar system is located?
5)
Put these words in order from largest to smallest: Galaxy, Planet, Solar System, Star, Universe