Terrestrial Planets
Gas Giants
The Moon
History of Astronomy
The Solar System
100
Not including the Sun and the Moon, what is the brightest object we can see in the sky?
Venus
100
What is the Great Red Spot?
A neverending, massive hurricane on Jupiter.
100
Which are stronger, neap or spring tides?
Spring tides
100
Who was the first to suggest that the Sun was the centre of the solar system?
Nicholas Copernicus
100
What is the cause of the seasons?
The Earth's tilt in its axis.
200
What are 2 characteristics of terrestial planets?
Relatively high densities, slow rotations, solid metal cores, solid surfaces, and/or no rings.
200
What are 2 characteristics of gas giants?
Low densities, immense sizes, strong gravitational pull, many moons, and/or hydrogen and helium atmospheres.
200
What was the name of the mission that sent the first man on the moon? BONUS: Name the three astronauts on the mission.
Apollo 11 BONUS: Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, and Michael Collins
200
Why is Pluto no longer considered a planet?
Pluto is no longer considered a planet because of its small size and irregular orbit.
200
What are the two motions that the Earth goes through?
Rotation and revolution.
300
What causes the auroras on Earth?
The magnetic field.
300
True or False: Neptune has no rings.
False
300
Explain the difference between total, partial and annular solar eclipses.
In total solar eclipses, the Moon completely covers the Sun. In partial solar eclipses, the Moon partially covers the Sun, and in annular solar eclipses, the Moon covers the inside part of the Sun.
300
According to the Haida tribe of Northern BC, who created the universe?
Raven
300
On average, which are bigger, comets or meteorites?
Comets
400
How many moons does Mars have? BONUS: Name them.
Two BONUS: Phobos and Deimos
400
True or False: One of Saturn's moons is bigger than Mercury. BONUS: Name this moon.
True BONUS: Titan
400
Why can we only see one side of the Moon?
The Moon orbits the Earth every 27.3 days, and it also rotates every 27.3 days, therefore only one side of the Moon faces the Earth at all times.
400
What was the biggest flaw in Ptolemy's model of the solar system? BONUS: What tool did Ptolemy use to chart the sky?
It was geocentric (centred around the Earth). BONUS: Astrolabe
400
Why does Earth have such few visible craters?
70% of Earth is covered in water.
500
Why is Venus hotter than Mercury?
Although Mercury is closer to the Sun than Venus, Venus is hotter than Mercury because its atmosphere acts like an insulator, trapping in heat.
500
What is unusual and unique about Uranus? BONUS: What might the cause of this be?
It spins on its side. BONUS: A collision that knocked it out of its original axis early in its formation.
500
In order, what are the eight phases of the Moon cycle?
New moon, Waxing crescent, First quarter moon, Waxing gibbous, Full moon, Waning gibbous, Third quarter moon, Waning crescent
500
What was the amazing event that Brahe saw?
A supernova.
500
What is the astronomical name given, in the northern hemisphere, to each of the following: March 21st, June 21st, September 22nd, and December 21st BONUS: When are the perihelion and aphelion?
Spring equinox, Summer solstice, Fall equinox, and Winter solstice. BONUS: January 3rd and July 4th
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