Astronomy Basics
The Sun
Planets
Dwarf Planets and Moons
Asteroids, Comets and Meteors
100
Our Solar System travels in what galaxy?
What is: The Milky Way
100
What are the 2 main elements found in the Sun?
What is: Hydrogen and Helium
100
Which planet is the hottest in our Solar System?
What is: Venus
100
How many moons does Jupiter have?
What is: 67
100
What is the main distinguishable feature of a comet?
What is: It's tail
200
Which scientist proposed the heliocentric model?
Who is: Copernicus
200
The Sun's volume makes up what percentage of our Solar Systems mass?
What is: 98%
200
Why is Mercury covered in craters?
What is: Because it has no atmosphere
200
What is the definition of a Dwarf Planet?
What is: has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit
200
Where does the Asteroid belt lie in our Solar system?
What is: Between Mars and Jupiter
300
What is the name of the belt that lies beyond the 8 planets?
What is: The Kuiper belt
300
The Sun's poles reverse every how many years?
What is: 11 years
300
Which planet is the only one to rotate on its side?
What is: Uranus
300
How does the definition of a Plutoid differ from that of a Dwarf Planet?
What is: They are both dwarf planets, but plutoids are dwarf planets that are found beyond Neptune's orbit.
300
How does the term meteor differ from meteorite?
What is: Meteor refers to one that has simply entered our atmosphere. A meteorite refers to one that hits the ground.
400
Solar winds create an atmosphere to the Solar System known as what?
What is: The heliosphere
400
Someday, the Sun will burn mainly helium and become a what? (what type of star)
What is: A Red giant
400
What is Jupiter's most distinguishable feature? And what is it?
What is: The giant red spot. It is a storm
400
Which is the only dwarf planet that can not also be classified as a plutoid?
What is: Ceres
400
What is the name of the Asteroid that has a 1 in 5 chance of hitting us in 2029?
What is: Apophus
500
1 AU is equal to how many miles?
What is: 93,000,000 miles
500
Before burning out, the Sun will become what? (what type of star)
What is: A White dwarf
500
Who was the first person to discover the rings around Saturn?
Who is: Galileo
500
What are the names of Mars' 2 moons?
What is: Phobos and Deimos
500
Name 3 of the 4 anatomical features of comets.
What is: The nucleus, the tail, the coma and the hydrogen cloud
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