5th grade space

Example

Among the phases of the Moon, starting from new moon, which comes straight after "waxing gibbous"?

1. new moon → waxing crescent → first quarter → waxing gibbous → full moon → waning gibbous → last quarter → waning crescent
2. So the answer is: full moon

Answer: full moon

Example

About how long does sunlight take to reach Earth?

1. Sunlight travels about 150 million km in roughly 8 minutes.
2. So the answer is: about 8 minutes

Answer: about 8 minutes

Example

At midday in summer, shadows are shorter than at midday in winter. Why?

1. A higher Sun casts shorter shadows.
2. So the answer is: The Sun climbs higher in the sky in summer.

Answer: The Sun climbs higher in the sky in summer.

Example

Why can we see different constellations in winter and summer?

1. Earth's orbit changes which stars are in the night sky through the year.
2. So the answer is: As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different parts of space.

Answer: As Earth orbits the Sun, our night side faces different parts of space.

Example

How long does this take: Earth spinning once on its axis?

1. So the answer is: about 24 hours (one day)

Answer: about 24 hours (one day)

Example

About how many Earths would fit side by side across the Sun?

1. The Sun's diameter is about 109 times Earth's.
2. So the answer is: about 109

Answer: about 109