ASTR 1000 Unit 1 Questions with Correct
Answers | Updated (100% Correct Answers)
Based on the current scientific evidence, what is the current age of
the universe in years? You must be within 10% of the currently
accepted value. Answer: 13.8000 Gyr
Match the terms with the descriptions provided. Note that some
terms are used more than once.
A Rotation
B Astronomical Unit
C Light Year
D Orbit
The average distance between the Earth and the Sun.
Approximately 150 million kilometers.
The distance that light can travel in one year.
Earth's ______ is what primarily determines the length of a day.
Approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers.
Earth's ______ is what determines the length of a year.
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The motion of one object around another due to gravity.
The spinning of an object around its axis. Answer: B, B, C, A, C, D,
D, A
Match the terms with the descriptions provided. Note that some
terms are used more than once.
A Galaxy
B Supercluster
C Star
D Group or Cluster
E Observable Universe
The Milky Way is one of these.
A gigantic region of space where groups of galaxies are packed
more closely than elsewhere in the Universe. Possibly the largest
structures in the Universe.
A large glowing ball of gas that generates heat and light through
nuclear fusion in its core.
A great island of stars (from a few 100 million to a trillion), dust and
gas that are held together by gravity and move around a common
center.
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A collection of galaxies (dozens to hundreds) bound together by
gravity.
Everything that can, in principle, be seen from Earth.
The Sun is one of these. Answer: A, B, C, A, D, E, C
What is your cosmic address? After "OH, USA," what is the order
that you would list the following six items (from 1 to 6) so they are
in the correct cosmic order? Answer: 5: Local Supercluster
3: Milky Way
2: Solar System
6: Universe
4: Local Group
1: Earth
On the scale of the cosmic calendar, in which the history of the
universe is compressed into 1 year, approximately how long has
human civilization existed (i.e., since ancient Egypt)?.
A) About a month
B) About a week
C) About half the year
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D) A few hours
E) Less than a minute Answer: E) Less than a minute
Why was there such a long period between when the universe
began and when the Earth formed?
A) Because it took time for earlier generations of stars to produce
the heavier elements (carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.) that make up
the Earth.
B) Because it took that long for the universe to expand enough for
there to be room for the Earth.
C) Because it took that long for the first stars to form.
D) Because the formation of planets is extremely rare and it took
that long to catch a lucky break and form a planet.
E) Trick question: the Earth formed very shortly after the Big Bang.
Answer: A) Because it took time for earlier generations of stars to
produce the heavier elements (carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.) that
make up the Earth.
Identify the following statements about cosmic space as either TRUE
or FALSE.
There are certain very large regions of the universe where there are
few to no galaxies. These are known as voids.
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