Question

1. coronagraphs - blocking the brightness

a coronagraph is a special telescope tool that blocks a star’s bright light. this allows objects, like nearby planets, that would normally be hidden by the star’s glare to be seen. as technology advances, scientists hope to detect smaller planets that might be similar to earth.
question 7 (ngss practice: constructing explanations):
how does a coronagraph help scientists study the universe?
a) it blocks starlight so faint nearby objects can be seen.
b) it measures the speed of stars.
c) it takes pictures of the sun’s surface.
d) it reflects light back to earth.

1. the future of stargazing

new telescopes are being built to explore space more deeply than ever before. the vera c. rubin observatory, for example, will take a picture of almost the entire sky every few nights. its large mirrors and advanced cameras will help scientists find new galaxies, study dark matter, and observe how the universe changes over time.
question 8 (ngss hs-ess1-3 – data analysis):
how will future telescopes like the rubin observatory expand our knowledge of space?
a) by capturing frequent, detailed images that reveal new discoveries.
b) by focusing only on the planets near earth.
c) by replacing all current observatories.
d) by measuring the temperature of stars.

Explanation:

For Question 7: The text states a coronagraph blocks starlight to reveal faint nearby objects (like exoplanets) that would otherwise be hidden.
For Question 8: The Rubin Observatory uses large mirrors/advanced cameras to take frequent, detailed sky images, helping find new galaxies, study dark matter, and observe cosmic changes.

Answer:

Question 7: A) It blocks starlight so faint nearby objects can be seen
Question 8: A) By capturing frequent, detailed images that reveal new discoveries