Pearson Edexcel GCSE Astronomy

Mark Scheme (Results) Summer 2024 Pearson Edexcel GCSE Astronomy (1AS0) Paper 1: Naked-Eye Astronomy Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational, occupational and specific programmes for employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites at or . Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page at Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at: Summer 2024 Question Paper Log Number 75500 Publications Code 1AS0_01_2406_MS All the material in this publication is copyright © Pearson Education Ltd 2406 General Marking Guidance • All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last. • Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions. • Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their perception of where the grade boundaries may lie. • There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be used appropriately. • All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme. • Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited. • When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted. • Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it with an alternative response. Question number Answer Mark 1 (a)(i) The only correct answer is A – crater B is not the correct answer because it is not a crater C is not the correct answer because it is not a crater D is not the correct answer because it is not a crater 1 Question number Answer Mark 1 (a)(ii) The only correct answer is C – terra A is not the correct answer because it is not a terra B is not the correct answer because it is not a terra D is not the correct answer because it is not a terra 1 Question number Answer Mark 1 (a)(iii) The only correct answer is B – mare A is not the correct answer because it is not a mare C is not the correct answer because it is not a mare D is not the correct answer because it is not a mare 1 Question number Answer Mark 1 (b)(i) The only correct answer is A – aurora B is not correct because it is not a galaxy C is not correct because it is not a meteor D is not correct because it is not a supernova 1 Question number Answer Mark 1 (b)(ii) The only correct answer is D – supernova A is not correct because it is not an aurora B is not correct because it is not a galaxy C is not correct because it is not a meteor 1 Question number Answer Mark 1 (b)(iii) The only correct answer is C – meteor A is not correct because it is not an aurora B is not correct because it is not a galaxy D is not correct because it is not a supernova 1 Question number Answer Mark 2 (a)(i) The only correct answer is C – occultation A is not correct because it is not at apogee B is not correct because it is not at elongation D is not correct because it is not in transit 1 Question number Answer Mark 2 (a)(ii) The only correct answer is D – transit A is not correct because it is not at apogee B is not correct because it is not at elongation C is not correct because it is not in occultation 1 Question number Answer Mark 2(a)(iii) The only correct answer is B – elongation A is not correct because it is not at apogee C is not correct because it is not in occultation D is not correct because it is not in transit 1 Question number Answer Mark 2 (b)(i) The only correct answer is A – averted vision B is not correct because it is not dark adaptation C is not correct because it is not indirect sight D is not correct because it is not night vision 1 Question number Answer Mark 2 (b)(ii) The only correct answer is B – dark adaptation A is not correct because it is not averted vision C is not correct because it is not indirect sight D is not correct because it is not night vision 1 Question number Answer Mark 2(b)(iii) Star is not bright enough (to project an image) / image would be too faint to see. 1 Question number Answer Mark 3 (a) The only correct answer is D – less than 3 475 km A is not correct because the diameter must be less than 3475km B is not correct because the diameter must be less than 3475km C is not correct because the diameter must be less than 3475km 1 Question number Answer Mark 3 (b)(i) The only correct answer is B – craters A is not correct because it is not caused by impacts C is not correct because it is not caused by impacts D is not correct because it is not caused by impacts 1 Question number Answer Mark 3 (b)(ii) The only correct answer is C – maria A is not correct because it is not caused by magma which has turned solid B is not correct because it is not caused by magma which has turned solid D is not correct because it is not caused by magma which has turned solid 1 Question number Answer Mark 3 (c)(i) The only correct answer is B – sidereal month A is not correct because this does not take 27.3 days C is not correct because this does not take 27.3 days D is not correct because this does not take 27.3 days 1 Question number Answer Mark 3 (c)(ii) 0.55 degrees (1) Allow 0.5 degrees or 0.6 degrees (1 sig fig) Calculation: Angle = 360 ÷ 27.3 ÷ 24 1 Question number Answer Additional guidance Mark 3 (c)(iii) Any two from: • Motion of Moon is slow/angle moved (each night) is small • Would need to observe the Moon for some time • Difficult to see the stars / there may be no (visible) stars near the Moon (during time of observation) • Moon is not visible • New or crescent phase of the Moon Do not allow: • Angle is too difficult to measure • Poor weather / seeing conditions • Stars are (also) moving 2