Carlos is looking toward the constellation Andromeda with a small telescope and sees a bright white point of light and a fuzzy oval of light. Which statement about Carlos's observations is true?
A.
The white point of light is part of the Milky Way.
B.
The fuzzy oval is an individual star; the point of light is a galaxy.
C.
The fuzzy oval is the Milky Way.
D.
The white point of light is an individual star; the fuzzy oval is a galaxy.
D. The white point of light is an individual star; the fuzzy oval is a galaxy.
D. The white point of light is an individual star; the fuzzy oval is a galaxy.
To determine the true statement about Carlos's observations, let's consider the options:
A. The white point of light is part of the Milky Way.
This statement suggests that the bright white point of light belongs to our own galaxy, the Milky Way. However, without additional information, we cannot accurately determine if this statement is true.
B. The fuzzy oval is an individual star; the point of light is a galaxy.
This statement states that the fuzzy oval of light is a single star, while the bright white point of light is a galaxy. Based on typical observations with a small telescope, this would be an unlikely scenario. Stars usually appear as points of light, while galaxies often have a more diffuse and extended appearance.
C. The fuzzy oval is the Milky Way.
This statement suggests that the fuzzy oval of light is the Milky Way. However, this is not accurate. The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy that contains billions of stars, including our own Sun. It would not typically appear as a fuzzy oval to an observer within it.
D. The white point of light is an individual star; the fuzzy oval is a galaxy.
This statement suggests that the bright white point of light is a single star and the fuzzy oval of light is a galaxy. Based on the typical appearance of stars and galaxies, this statement is the most plausible explanation for Carlos's observations. Stars often appear as individual points of light, while galaxies, due to their large size and distance, can appear more extended and fuzzy.
The correct answer is D. The white point of light is an individual star; the fuzzy oval is a galaxy.