1. Based on observations of the image of Messier 96, we can assume that the star in the middle appears to be the largest and brightest because:

• It is younger than the other stars in the galaxy.
• It is larger and brighter than the other stars in the galaxy.
• It is the same size and brightness as our sun.
• It is closer to the camera than the other stars in the galaxy.

2. This image is a picture of a . We can’t take a picture of the because our Solar System is .

3. The star at the center of M96 most likely has which of the following properties?

• Its own solar system
• Extremely large mass
• A diameter similar to our sun
• A brightness similar to our sun

4. Knowing that Messier 96 is approximately the same size as our Milky Way, how much larger than the Solar System is this galaxy?

• Millions of times bigger than the Solar System.
• Around 100 times bigger than the Solar System.
• We have no way to measure distance at that scale.
• Around 10 times bigger than the Solar System.

5. If we compared M96 to the Milky Way, our sun would be:

• A smaller star in one of the galaxy’s arms
• The star at the center of the galaxy
• One of the largest stars visible in one of the galaxy’s arms
• One of the stars visible just outside of the spiral

6. In the photo of M96 we see several stars that appear to be outside of the galaxy. A classmate asks whether these stars are also in orbit around the galaxy’s core. How should you respond to his question?

• He is incorrect, the stars are too far away to be pulled into orbit by the core’s gravity.
• He is incorrect, the stars are moving too fast to be pulled into orbit by the core’s gravity.
• He is incorrect, the stars are too small to be pulled into orbit by the core’s gravity.
• He is correct, the stars are also in orbit around the galaxy’s core.

7. Number the following statements in order from 1-5 to correctly describe how a solar system is formed from a nebula.

8. Describe what would happen to the orbital paths of the objects in the M96 galaxy if the star at the center were to suddenly disappear.

• The objects would suddenly move towards the center and the galaxy would collapse in on itself
• The objects would slow down in their orbits and eventually stop moving
• The objects would all begin to move in straight lines outward into space
• All of the objects would begin to orbit a different, nearby star

9. How does gravitational force affect the shape of this galaxy?

10. Your class is observing the photo of M96. A classmate states that the sun must be the biggest star in our galaxy, since it looks so much larger and brighter than other stars in our sky. Use what you have learned to respond to their claim.

11. On the image below, draw a circle of approximately where we would find our Solar System if this was a picture of the Milky Way.