Earth and Space Science (Grades 9–12) Subtest 2

Subarea 1. Origin and Evolution of the Universe and Solar System

0008

Understand the characteristics and development of the universe and its components.

recognizing the uses and characteristics of different types of telescopes (i.e., optical, radio, X-ray, and infrared)
analyzing how the characteristics, motions, and distances of objects in the universe are determined using technology (e.g., spectroscopy, parallax, redshift)
demonstrating knowledge of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and how the properties of stars are used to determine their age, mass, composition, luminosity class, relative motion, and evolutionary stage
demonstrating knowledge of stellar evolution, the processes of fusion and nucleosynthesis, and the characteristics of different types of stars (e.g., pulsars, binary stars, supergiants, white dwarfs, black holes)
demonstrating knowledge of the types, characteristics, and evolution of galaxies, including the Milky Way
demonstrating knowledge of theories of the origin and expansion of the universe (e.g., big bang theory, inflation), the evidence supporting these theories (e.g., the relationship between astronomical distances and age), and the concepts of dark matter and dark energy

0009

Understand the characteristics and development of the solar system and its components.

analyzing the origin and evolution of the solar system and its components, including comets, asteroids, and meteors
recognizing the characteristics and motions of the different planets in the solar system and the conditions that make Earth habitable in comparison to the other planets
demonstrating knowledge of the characteristics and motions of comets, asteroids, and meteors
demonstrating knowledge of Kepler's and Newton's laws and the role of gravity and inertia in the solar system

0010

Understand the characteristics and interactions of the sun, moon, and Earth.

demonstrating knowledge of the interactions between the sun and Earth, including the sun's effects on Earth's magnetosphere and upper atmosphere
recognizing effects of the gravitational interaction of the sun, moon, and Earth (e.g., axial precession, variations in Earth's orbit and axial tilt, ocean tides)
demonstrating knowledge of the characteristics and composition of the moon (e.g., maria, craters) and the sun (e.g., sunspots, flares, prominences)
recognizing what causes the appearance and positions of the sun and moon to change over time as viewed from Earth, including solar and lunar eclipses
analyzing how the relative motions and positions of the sun, moon, and Earth produce seasons and varying periods of daylight on Earth