Planets
How long does it take earth to complete an orbit?
365 days
How many moons does the Earth have?
One
What object is at the center of our solar system?
The sun
What are constellations?
Constellations are groups of stars that form patterns in the night sky, often named after mythological figures or animals.
What calendar is based off the phases of the moon with each month starting with a new moon?
Lunar Calendar
What planet has a Great Red Spot, which is a giant storm. It also has many colorful bands of clouds.
Jupiter
Which planet has the most moons?
Saturn
What is the name of the star that provides Earth with the perfect amount of heat and light to support life?
The Sun is the star that gives Earth a balance of heat and light necessary to sustain life on our planet.
Which star always points North in the sky?
North Star, also known as Polaris
The _____ calendar is the calendar most widely used today and it's based on the Earth's orbit around the Sun and has 12 months.
Gregorian
Name two things you can you use to see planets?
Telescopes - Hubble Telescope, James Webb Telescope Binoculars, Planetarium
What is a moon?
A moon is a natural satellite that orbits a planet.
What orbits the sun?
Planets
How many constellations are there in total?
88
How many days are in a year in the Gregorian calendar? (There's two possible answers)
A standard year in the Gregorian calendar has 365 days, but a leap year has 366 days
What is the order of the planets from the Sun?
The order of the planets from the Sun is Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
How many moon phases are there? Name three of them.
There are 8 moon phases.
1. New Moon
2. Waxing Crescent
3. First Quarter
4. Waxing Gibbous
5. Full Moon
6. Waning Gibbous
7. Last Quarter
8. Waning Crescent
Why may you not be able to see the moon during the day?
The Sun's light is so bright, which can make the Moon hard to see against the sky.
Name 3 constellations we can see in the Northern Sky.
Orion, Big Dipper, Little Dipper, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Hercules, Pegasus, Draco, Leo, Pisces, Taurus, Perseus, Aries, Canis major, Taurus, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Auriga, Cancer, Gemini
How many days are in a typical lunar month?
29.5 days, so it can either have 29 or 30 days.
How might the distance from the Sun affect a planet's temperature?
The farther a planet is from the Sun, the colder it generally is because it receives less sunlight.
Why do you think the Moon appears to change shape?
The Moon looks like it changes shape because of where it is compared to Earth and the Sun, which affects how much sunlight we see reflecting off its surface.
What is an orbit?
An orbit is the path that a planet takes as it moves around the Sun.
How might knowing about constellations help explorers or travelers?
Constellations can help people figure out which way they’re going (navigation), like a natural GPS. Recognizing constellations and knowing their positions, explorers could avoid getting lost. Example: in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Star (Polaris) always points north, helping travelers find their way.
Why might people use lunar calendars?
To determine important dates for cultural, religious, and agricultural events, such as festivals and planting seasons. Many cultures, including Chinese, Islamic, and Hindu cultures use lunar calendars