Question 1

The Local Group is a member of the Virgo Supercluster.

Accepted Answer

The Local Group, which includes our Milky Way galaxy and the Andromeda galaxy, is a member of the larger Virgo Supercluster of galaxies.

Question 2

According to the figure below, the Earth is located approximately: 
A) at the center of the Milky Way
B) near the center of the Milky Way
C) about halfway out from the center of the Milky Way
D) at the farthest outskirts of the Milky Way
E) outside the Milky Way, which is why we can see it as a band across the night sky

Accepted Answer

The figure shows that the Sun is located in one of the spiral arms of the Milky Way, about halfway out from the center. This is supported by observations of the distribution of stars and gas in the Milky Way, as well as measurements of the orbital velocity of the Sun around the galactic center. Therefore, option C is the best choice.

Question 3

Science proceeds by presuming that observed patterns in nature can be attributed to an underlying physical explanation.

Accepted Answer

This is a fundamental principle of the scientific method, known as the principle of uniformity or the principle of natural causation. Scientists assume that the natural world is orderly and understandable, and they seek to explain natural phenomena in terms of underlying physical laws and principles. This approach has proven to be extremely successful in advancing our understanding of the world around us.

Question 4

The number of classical planets in our Solar System is:
A) eight
B) nine
C) twelve
D) six
E) four

Accepted Answer

The classical planets in our Solar System are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Therefore, the answer is eight.

Question 5

According to the figure below, if you were to specify your address in the universe, listing your membership from the smallest to largest physical structures, it would be: 
A) Earth, Local Group, Solar System, Andromeda, the universe
B) Earth, Solar System, Local Group, Milky Way, the universe
C) Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Local Group, Virgo Supercluster, the universe
D) Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Fornax Supercluster, the universe
E) Earth, Fornax Supercluster, Milky Way, Solar System, the universe

Accepted Answer

The order from smallest to largest structures would be: Earth, Solar System, Milky Way, Local Group, Virgo Supercluster, the universe. Andromeda is not larger than the Milky Way, it is another galaxy in the Local Group. Fornax Supercluster is not larger than the Virgo Supercluster, and it is not mentioned that Earth is located in it.

Question 6

Our Sun is one of the most massive and luminous stars in the Milky Way.

Accepted Answer

Our Sun is actually a relatively small and average star compared to many others in the Milky Way. While it appears bright in our sky, it is much less luminous than many other stars even in our immediate cosmic neighborhood.

Question 7

The Copernican principle states that there is nothing special about our local region of the universe.

Accepted Answer

The Copernican principle, named after the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, suggests that there is nothing unique or central about our location in the universe. It implies that the laws of physics and the properties of matter and energy are universal and operate similarly throughout the cosmos, and that our place in the universe is not privileged or exceptional. Thus, the principle supports the idea of cosmic homogeneity and isotropy, which means that the universe looks the same in all directions and at all scales. The Copernican principle has been a guiding principle in modern cosmology and has led to many discoveries and insights about the structure, evolution, and fate of the universe.

Question 8

Pluto is the only dwarf planet in our Solar System.

Accepted Answer

Pluto is one of several recognized dwarf planets in our Solar System, including Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Ceres.

Question 9

The heavy elements that make up most of Earth were formed via nuclear fusion in the center of the Sun.

Accepted Answer

While elements up to iron can be formed via nuclear fusion in stars, heavier elements such as gold, silver, and uranium are formed via supernova explosions, not in the center of the Sun.

Question 10

One consequence of the principle of universality is that gravity works the same here on Earth as it does on the planet Jupiter.

Accepted Answer

The principle of universality states that physical laws apply universally throughout the universe, regardless of location or conditions. This means that gravity works the same way on Earth as it does on Jupiter, moon, or any other celestial body, making option A true.

Question 11

A light-year is a unit commonly used in astronomy as a measure of time.

Accepted Answer

A light-year is actually a unit commonly used in astronomy as a measure of distance, not time. It is defined as the distance that light travels in a year, which is approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers or 5.88 trillion miles.

Question 12

A crucial component of a scientific theory is that it is able to be tested by observations and thus proven true or false.

Accepted Answer

Testing a scientific theory through observations is a fundamental aspect of the scientific method. If a theory cannot be tested, it cannot be considered a scientific theory. The results of these tests may either support the theory, refute it or require modifications to the initial assumptions or hypothesis.

Question 13

There are nearly 1,000 times more galaxies in the observable universe as there are stars in the Milky Way.

Accepted Answer

The observable universe contains about 2 trillion galaxies, while the Milky Way has approximately 100-400 billion stars, making the ratio closer to 5-20 times more galaxies than stars in the Milky Way, not 1,000 times.

Question 14

The word astronomy means:
A) "patterns among the stars"
B) "to study the stars"
C) "discovering the universe"
D) "the movement of the stars"
E) "personality traits set by the stars"

Accepted Answer

Astronomy is the study of the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere, including stars, planets, galaxies, and other objects. The word "astronomy" comes from the Greek words "astron" (star) and "nomos" (law), meaning "the laws of the stars."

Question 15

Which of the following is FALSE?
A) The Local Group is a member of the Virgo Supercluster, which contains thousands of galaxies.
B) The Local Group contains two large spiral galaxies and a few dozen dwarf galaxies.
C) Our Solar System has eight classical planets.
D) The Milky Way galaxy contains approximately 100 million stars.
E) The Virgo Supercluster is one of many superclusters in the universe

Accepted Answer

The Milky Way galaxy contains approximately 100 billion stars, not 100 million.

Question 16

Human beings are composed almost entirely of elements that were created in the Big Bang.

Accepted Answer

The Big Bang primarily produced hydrogen and helium, while heavier elements in humans were formed in stars through nuclear fusion and supernovae.

Question 17

Once a scientific theory is declared to be true, it is believed from that time onward.

Accepted Answer

Scientific theories are never declared "true" in the absolute sense. They are always subject to further testing and scrutiny. While a theory may be widely accepted and supported by evidence, it can still be revised or even overturned in the future based on new evidence. Therefore, scientific beliefs are always open to revision and refinement.

Question 18

If a scientific theory cannot be tested, it is assumed to be true.

Accepted Answer

If a scientific theory cannot be tested, it cannot be considered true or false. It may be considered a hypothesis or a speculative idea, but until it can be tested and proven through empirical evidence, it cannot be deemed true.

Question 19

The invention of satellites advanced astronomy because telescopes on satellites can observe wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, such as X-rays, that cannot penetrate the Earth's atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

Satellites have enabled astronomers to observe a wider range of electromagnetic radiation wavelengths that would not be possible with telescopes on the ground due to atmospheric interference. Hence, the invention of satellites has undoubtedly advanced astronomy.

Question 20

A great majority of the matter in our universe is not visible.

Accepted Answer

Scientists estimate that around 85% of the matter in the universe is made up of dark matter, which does not interact with light and is therefore invisible. Additionally, about 68% of the universe's energy is made up of dark energy, which also cannot be seen. This means that only around 5% of the universe is made up of matter that we can observe, such as stars and galaxies.

Quiz 1: Why Learn Astronomy