Astronomy

1. When was the birth of the solar system?

The birth of the solar system was 4.6 billion years ago

2. T/F The planets are all made of the same stuff but the conditions they formed under where different.

True

3. Elements in the solar system are like the ingredients in a __________________.

Elements in the solar system are like the ingredients in a cake

4. Why are only rocky planets able to form close to the sun?

Rocky planets are able to form close to the sun because the sun burns away the water

5. What planet lost its atmosphere and became a barren wasteland?

Mars

6. What planet heated up tremendously over time?

Mercury

7. There were once thousands of planets in our solar system. True or False?

False

8. The process of small rocks smashing into each other and gaining mass to make bigger rocks is called ________________________

Accretion

9. How wide must a rock be to have a chance to turn into a planet?

500 miles across

10. Each collision causes the rocks to heat up and melt and then _________________ starts to work to make all the heavy materials sink to the middle.

Gravity

11. How can SOLAR WIND (super charged energy particles from the sun) affect astronauts? (Space radiation is serious business!)

Solar wind affects astronauts because it affects with their eyes. It blends in with the fluids.

12. What is the Earth’s protection from the solar wind? What would happen if we didn’t have it?

Earth has a magnetic field that protects it from the solar wind.

13. What did the rovers Spirit and Opportunity find evidence for on the surface of Mars? What is the evidence?

The rovers Spirit and Opportunity found evidence of water in the past (thick atmosphere). This proves that Mars wasn’t always a dry and hot desert.

14. Why did the gas giants become so huge?

Gas