Earth Science II Astronomy · Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
Virginia SOL AS.3
Virginia SOL AS.3 is part of the Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe strand in Earth Science II Astronomy (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate and understand the evolution and structure of stars, galaxies, and the universe based on examining evidence. Below is what AS.3 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice AS.3 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL AS.3 means
Investigate and understand the evolution and structure of stars, galaxies, and the universe based on examining evidence.
Skills you’ll practice for AS.3
- Compare the information gained from different types of telescopes (radio, optical, infrared, ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma ray, neutrino, and space-based).
- Explain how attributes of the electromagnetic spectrum are used to determine characteristics of astronomical objects.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about how celestial observations resulted in the Nebular Theory of star formation.
- Explain the relationship between the energy and luminosity of a star by constructing a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.
- Develop and use a model to explain the life stages of stars.
- Explain how nucleosynthesis resulted in the chemical composition of the cosmos.
- Describe the characteristics of the Milky Way Galaxy, including size, shape, rotation, stellar distribution, and our place within it.
- Compare the evolution of galaxies based on their shape and content.
- Compare techniques that are used to determine astronomical distances.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about the characteristics of the universe (formation, age, composition, expansion, and structure).
- Develop and use a model to explain the relationships among matter, energy, dark matter, and dark energy.
Key concepts covered by AS.3
- telescope types
- radio telescopes
- optical telescopes
- infrared telescopes
- ultraviolet telescopes
- x-ray telescopes
- gamma ray telescopes
- neutrino telescopes
- space-based telescopes
- electromagnetic spectrum
- astronomical object characteristics
- spectral analysis
- Nebular Theory
- star formation
- celestial observations
- claim evaluation
- Hertzsprung-Russell diagram
- star energy
- star luminosity
- stellar classification
- stellar life stages
- star model
- stellar evolution
- nucleosynthesis
- cosmic chemical composition
- stellar nucleosynthesis
- Milky Way Galaxy
- galactic characteristics
- galactic size
- galactic shape
- stellar distribution
- galactic evolution
- galactic content
- galaxy comparison
- astronomical distance techniques
- distance measurement
- parallax
- standard candles
- universe characteristics
- universe formation
- universe age
- universe composition
- universe expansion
- universe structure
- matter-energy relationships
- dark matter
- dark energy
- cosmic model
How to study and practice SOL AS.3
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether AS.3 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL AS.3
What is Virginia SOL AS.3?
SOL AS.3 is a Earth Science II Astronomy Standard of Learning in the Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe strand. It expects students to investigate and understand the evolution and structure of stars, galaxies, and the universe based on examining evidence.
What skills does SOL AS.3 cover?
SOL AS.3 is assessed on 11 skills: compare the information gained from different types of telescopes (radio, optical, infrared, ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma ray, neutrino, and space-based); explain how attributes of the electromagnetic spectrum are used to determine characteristics of astronomical objects; make, support, and evaluate a claim about how celestial observations resulted in the Nebular Theory of star formation; explain the relationship between the energy and luminosity of a star by constructing a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram; develop and use a model to explain the life stages of stars; explain how nucleosynthesis resulted in the chemical composition of the cosmos; describe the characteristics of the Milky Way Galaxy, including size, shape, rotation, stellar distribution, and our place within it; compare the evolution of galaxies based on their shape and content; compare techniques that are used to determine astronomical distances; make, support, and evaluate a claim about the characteristics of the universe (formation, age, composition, expansion, and structure); develop and use a model to explain the relationships among matter, energy, dark matter, and dark energy.
What strand of Earth Science II Astronomy is SOL AS.3 in?
SOL AS.3 belongs to the Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe reporting strand of the Earth Science II Astronomy Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL AS.3?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether AS.3 is already solid, then work the 11 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.