Celestial Bodies
Give an example of a celestial body that emits light.
Star, nebula, meteor, or comet.
Name the planet closest to the Sun.
Mercury
Name one technology used to explore the solar system.
Telescope, satellite, rover, or manned spacecraft.
What is the main character's full name?
Mark Watney
Give an example of a celestial body that reflects light.
Moon, planet, dwarf planet, asteroid, or meteoroid.
Where is Earth located in the order of planets from the Sun?
It's the third planet from the Sun.
What two things does a solar system model help you understand about the planets?
Relative size and distance.
What disaster forces the Ares III crew to abort their mission and leave Mark Watney behind on Mars?
A severe dust storm.
Name three types of celestial bodies found in the solar system.
A planet, moon, dwarf planet, asteroid, comet, meteoroid, or the Sun
Name the largest planet in the solar system.
Jupiter
What is the difference between natural and artificial satellites?
Natural satellites are celestial bodies that orbit planets, while artificial satellites are human-made objects placed into orbit.
What does Mark Watney use to grow food while stranded on Mars?
Martian soil, water from the Hab, and his own feces (potato farming).
Where is the asteroid belt located in the solar system?
Between Mars and Jupiter.
Which planet is known as the "Red Planet"?
Mars
Give an example of a natural satellite.
Earth's Moon or a moon of another planet.
How does Mark Watney manage to communicate with NASA after being stranded on Mars?
By modifying the Pathfinder rover and using its communication system.
What is the name of a celestial body that has survived travelling through the Earth's atmosphere and landed on its surface?
Meteorite
Which planet has the longest orbit around the Sun?
Neptune
What do artificial satellites contribute to space exploration? HINT: Think of Pathfinder, the rover sent to Mars.
Give communication, navigation, and scientific data from space.
How does Mark Watney manage to create water on Mars?
By burning hydrazine from the MAV and using the hydrogen to react with oxygen from the Hab's atmosphere.