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Question 74 of 156 in Astrophysics

Classifying Stars

2 marks · Easy

Describe the overall shape of the Milky Way galaxy and state where the Sun is positioned within it.

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Spiral; Sun is about two-thirds from the center along a spiral arm

Also accept: The Milky Way is spiral shaped, and the Sun is about two-thirds from the centre on one of the arms.

Common mistakes: Milky Way is elliptical; Sun is at the centre

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Marking points

B1 · 1 mark · Identifies the Milky Way as a spiral galaxy.

B2 · 1 mark · States the Sun is about two-thirds from the centre along a spiral arm.

Worked solution

The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy. The Sun is about two-thirds of the way out from the centre, along one of the spiral arms.

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