Free Printable Worksheets for learning Astronomy at the College level

Here's some sample Astronomy info sheets Sign in to generate your own info sheet worksheet.

Key Concepts in Astronomy

Astronomy is the study of the universe and all objects and phenomena within it. It is an interdisciplinary science that combines physics, chemistry, geology, and biology to understand the origins, evolution, and behavior of celestial objects. Here are some key concepts and definitions to help you understand the basics of astronomy.

Our Solar System

Our solar system consists of the sun, eight planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. The eight planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The dwarf planets are Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris.

Stars

Stars are celestial objects that produce their own light and heat through nuclear reactions in their cores. They come in many different sizes and colors, and their brightness and size are measured on a scale called the Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram.

Galaxies

A galaxy is a group of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity. The Milky Way galaxy is the one in which our solar system resides, and it contains hundreds of billions of stars.

Black Holes

A black hole is a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing - not even light - can escape. They result from the collapse of massive stars.

The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model for the observable universe. It is the idea that the universe began as a singularity and has been expanding ever since.

Important Astronomers

  • Galileo Galilei: made many important astronomical observations, including the phases of Venus and the moons of Jupiter.
  • Johannes Kepler: discovered the laws of planetary motion.
  • Isaac Newton: developed the laws of motion and gravitation, making it possible to explain the behavior of celestial objects using the same physics as everyday objects.
  • Edwin Hubble: discovered that there are other galaxies beyond the Milky Way and that the universe is expanding.

Takeaways

  • Astronomy is the study of the universe and celestial objects.
  • Our solar system consists of the sun, eight planets, and other objects.
  • Stars come in many sizes and colors and are held together by gravity in galaxies.
  • Black holes are regions of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing can escape.
  • The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model for the universe.
  • Important astronomers include Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, Isaac Newton, and Edwin Hubble.

Sources:

Here's some sample Astronomy vocabulary lists Sign in to generate your own vocabulary list worksheet.

Word Definition
Astronomy The scientific study of the universe beyond the Earth.
Celestial Relating to the sky or the heavens.
Comet A celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust.
Galaxy A system of millions or billions of stars, together with gas and dust.
Meteor A small rocky or metallic body that travels through space.
Nebula A cloud of gas and dust in outer space.
Orbit The curved path of an object around a star, planet, or moon.
Planet A celestial body that orbits a star, is spherical in shape, and has cleared its orbit of debris.
Solar System The collection of eight planets and their moons in orbit around the Sun.
Star A luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity.
Universe All existing matter and space considered as a whole.
Astronomy The branch of science which deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe.
Big Bang A theoretical explosion in space which started the universe.
Black hole A region of spacetime exhibiting gravitational acceleration so strong that nothing, no particles, or even electromagnetic radiation such as light can escape from it.
Cosmic rays A highly energetic atomic nuclei or particles traveling through space.
Dark energy A theoretical form of energy that is said to permeate all of space and counteracts gravity.
Dark matter Non-luminous matter that is postulated to exist in space and emit produce gravitational forces but does not interact with radiations, such as light.
Gravity The force by which a planet or other body draws objects toward its center.
Moon A natural object that orbits a planet.
Northern Star The brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor.
Supernova A powerful and luminous stellar explosion.

Here's some sample Astronomy study guides Sign in to generate your own study guide worksheet.

Astronomy Study Guide

Introduction to Astronomy

  • Definition of Astronomy
  • Brief history of Astronomy
  • Importance of Astronomy

Observations and Telescopes

  • Types of telescopes
  • Characteristics of telescopes
  • Different telescope locations
  • Telescope technology advances

The Solar System

  • The Sun
  • The eight (9) planets and their characteristics
  • Dwarf planets
  • Asteroids, comets, and meteoroids

The Universe

  • The Milky Way Galaxy
  • Other galaxies in the Universe
  • Stars and their lifecycle
  • Black Holes
  • Dark Matter and Dark Energy

Space Exploration: Past, Present and Future

  • Brief history of space exploration
  • Space missions and their objectives
  • Current space exploration projects
  • Future plans for space exploration

Conclusion

  • Importance of Astronomy in our lives
  • Future advancements in Astronomy
  • Possible career opportunities in Astronomy

Study Tips

  • Develop a study schedule
  • Use flashcards to remember key terms/ideas
  • Form a study group with other students
  • Take practice quizzes and tests
  • Review notes before and after each class.

Here's some sample Astronomy practice sheets Sign in to generate your own practice sheet worksheet.

Astronomy Practice Sheet

Question 1

Astronomers discovered a new planet in a distant solar system that is approximately 6.5 times the size of Earth and has a mass 20 times greater than Earth. What type of planet is it and what is its composition?

Question 2

Explain the difference between a telescope and a microscope.

Question 3

What is the difference between an asteroid and a comet? Provide three examples of each.

Question 4

What is a nebula? Describe the different types of nebulae and the characteristics that distinguish them.

Question 5

What is the difference between a constellation and an asterism? Provide three examples of each.

Question 6

What is the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram? How is it used to classify stars?

Question 7

If a star is 10 light years away from Earth, how long does it take for the light from the star to reach us?

Question 8

Explain the difference between a total solar eclipse and an annular solar eclipse.

Question 9

How does the tilt of Earth's axis affect the seasons?

Question 10

What is a black hole? How are they detected and what is their impact on the surrounding matter?

Astronomy Practice Sheet

Sample Problem:

Calculate the angular size of the Moon as seen from Earth.

Step 1: Calculate the Moon's diameter. The Moon's diameter is 3,476 km.

Step 2: Calculate the Moon's distance from Earth. The Moon's average distance from Earth is 384,400 km.

Step 3: Calculate the angular size of the Moon. The angular size of the Moon is calculated by dividing the Moon's diameter by its distance from Earth. The angular size of the Moon is 0.009°.

Practice Problems:

  1. What is the mass of the Sun?

  2. What is the average temperature of the Sun's core?

  3. What is the approximate age of the Universe?

  4. What is the approximate distance between Earth and the Moon?

  5. What is the approximate size of the Milky Way Galaxy?

  6. How many planets are in the Solar System?

  7. What is the approximate temperature of the surface of the Sun?

  8. What is the approximate temperature of the surface of Venus?

  9. What is the approximate temperature of the surface of Mars?

  10. How many moons does Jupiter have?

Astronomy Practice Sheet

Question 1

What is the difference between a star and a planet?

Question 2

What is the name of the galaxy that contains our Solar System?

Question 3

What is the name of the closest star to the Sun?

Question 4

What is the difference between a supernova and a nova?

Question 5

What is the name of the most distant object that can be seen with the naked eye?

Question 6

What is the difference between a comet and an asteroid?

Question 7

What is the approximate age of the universe?

Question 8

What is the name of the process that forms stars?

Question 9

What is the name of the force that binds galaxies together?

Question 10

What is the name of the process by which matter is converted into energy?

Here's some sample Astronomy quizzes Sign in to generate your own quiz worksheet.

Problem Answer
What is the largest planet in our Solar System? Jupiter
What kind of galaxy is the most common in the universe? Elliptical
What is the name of the closest star to our Sun? Proxima Centauri
What is the name of the constellation that is also known as The Chained Maiden? Andromeda
Which planet in our Solar System has the most moons? Jupiter
What is the name of the first artificial satellite launched into space? Sputnik 1
Who first proposed the idea of a heliocentric Solar System? Nicolaus Copernicus
What is the name of the process by which a star can die in a dramatic explosion? Supernova
What is the name of the spacecraft that brought the first humans to the Moon? Apollo 11
What is the name of the theory that describes the origin of the universe as a rapid expansion from a single point? Big Bang Theory
Question Answer
What is the name of the most distant object that can be seen with the naked eye? The Andromeda Galaxy
What is the name of the closest star to Earth? The Sun
What is the name of the process by which stars form? Nuclear Fusion
What is the name of the process by which planets form? Accretion
What is the name of the process by which galaxies form? Gravitational collapse
What is the name of the force that causes objects to orbit around each other? Gravity
What is the name of the force that causes objects to move away from each other? Gravitational repulsion
What is the name of the force that causes objects to move in a straight line? Inertia
What is the name of the force that causes objects to move in an elliptical orbit? Gravitational attraction
What is the name of the force that causes objects to move in a spiral pattern? Centripetal force
Questions Answers
What is the name of the study of the universe? Astronomy
What is the name of the closest star to the Earth? The Sun
What is the name of the closest planet to the Sun? Mercury
What is the name of the largest planet in the Solar System? Jupiter
What is the name of the largest moon in the Solar System? Ganymede
What is the name of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter? The Main Asteroid Belt
What is the name of the Milky Way Galaxy? The Milky Way
What is the name of the nearest galaxy to the Milky Way? The Andromeda Galaxy
What is the name of the process by which stars form? Star Formation
What is the name of the process by which planets form? Planet Formation
Background image of planets in outer space