Components of Solar System
What Galaxy is our solar system in?
The Milky Way!
What produces the most light in our solar system?
The SUN!
What is the ISS?
International Space Station
Why does the Moon appear to have a changing shape?
It depends on where the sun is reflecting off of the moon.
Small rocky objects that orbit the earth
Asteroids
Name the terrestrial planets.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars
How long does it take for Earth to make one full trip around the sun?
One year - approx. 365 days
How long have astronauts been consistently living on the ISS?
25 years!
What is it called when we measure time based on the Moon?
The Lunar Calendar
What type of space object emits its own light when it enters the atmosphere?
Meteor
Do all planets take 365 days to go around the sun like earth?
No! Some have bigger or smaller orbits so may take a longer or shorter amount of time to go around the sun.
How long does it take for earth to make one full turn on its axis? (How long is a day?)
24 hours
Who created the first telescope?
Galileo
How long does it take for the moon to complete one full cycle (go through all of its phases)?
28 Days
Approximately, how many asteroids are in our solar system?
1.4 million
As of early 2026 Jupiter has 95 moons! Which of these moons is believed to have a subsurface ocean? Ganymede, Callisto, Europa, or Io.
Europa
What is another way to say an object produces its own light?
It emits light.
Which rover currently on Mars is tasked with finding evidence of ancient microbial life?
Perseverance
Name two phases of the Moon's cycle.
New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, and Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third/Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent
Approximately, how many objects (both natural and man-made) orbit Earth?
30,000
What does an object do when it does not emit its own light?
Reflects light.
What are 2 examples of necessary features of a rover?
Answers will vary.
What is the difference between the two types of satellites?
Natural Satellites are naturally occurring objects in a planet's orbit, like Earth's Moon. Artificial satellites are man-made sent to space to help with navigation, communication, and observation.
What is the area between Mars and Jupiter where many rocky objects are found?
Asteroid Belt