ASTR 201 Assignment 1

Due 2.30pm (in class) Tuesday 24st September

1. Given that the velocity of light is 3 x10 8 m/s , define a light-second, a light-hour and a light-year in
metres. Express your answer scientic notation. How long does it take light to travel from the surface
of the Sun to the Earth? Show your work (5 marks).
2. Short answer questions. Each question is worth 5 marks. Answers to each question should be no
more that 150 words.
(a) How do Terrestrial planets differ from Jovian planets in our Solar System?
(b) Why might life in the Universe be common?
(c) What is the difference between an hypothesis and a theory in science? Given an example.