What is the innermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere called?
The photosphere.
What is a prominence?
An eruption from the photosphere that travels along magnetic field lines and shoots bursts of plasma into the corona.
What protects Earth from most charged particles from the Sun?
Earth’s magnetic field.
Name a star in the Milky Way that is larger than the Sun.
Rigel or VY Canis Majoris.
What are sunspots?
Darker, cooler patches on the Sun’s surface that form where large magnetic fields stop some heat from reaching the surface.
How many constellations are recognized by the International Astronomical Union?How many constellations are recognized by the International Astronomical Union?
88 constellations.
What do we call the remains of meteors that land on Earth?
Meteorites.
At how many kilometers above Earth does outer space begin?
100 kilometers above Earth.
What percentage of the Milky Way is dark matter?
90%
What is the name of the outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere?
The corona.
What objects make up our Solar System?
Planets, rocks, dust, moons, and other cosmic materials orbiting the Sun.
What is a galaxy made of?
A galaxy is made of gas, dust, and stars held together by gravity.
What is the closest star to Earth?
The Sun
Which planets in our Solar System do not have moons?
Mercury and Venus
What shape does the Milky Way galaxy have?
A spiral shape.
What types of particles and radiation are found in space?
Particles of dust, gas, electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and cosmic rays.
Where is Earth’s magnetic field weakest?
At the poles.
What is the temperature at the core of the Sun?
Up to 15,000,000°C (over 27,000,000°F).
What are comets made of?
Small balls of frozen gases, rock, and dust.
What are constellations?
Collections of stars that form patterns visible from Earth.
What are stars?
Luminous balls of gas.
How many planets do scientists believe are in the Milky Way?
At least 100 billion planets.
What is the name of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way?
Sagittarius A*.
What are some shapes that constellations can resemble?
Animals or people.
What is a common feature of most galactic centers?
Black holes.
How is the Sun categorized in terms of size?
It is a medium-sized star.
What are the names of the light displays caused by solar particles colliding with Earth's atmosphere?
The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and Aurora Australis (Southern Lights).
What is a moon?
A natural satellite that orbits a larger object.
What is an asteroid?
A mass of rock that revolves around the Sun, left over from the formation of the solar system.
What is the name of Earth’s galaxy?
The Milky Way.
What does the remaining 10% of the Milky Way consist of?
Stars, planets, and other visible materials.
Where do most asteroids exist in the solar system?
In a region called the asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
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