Planetary Science Jeopardy

Universe

100

This is the name of our galaxy.

What is the Milky Way galaxy?

200

These objects are pieces of rock in space that are similar to what the planets are made of.

What are asteroids?

300

These objects are made of frozen gases and rock.

What are comets?

400

The idea that the Sun is the center of our Solar System.

What is the heliocentric theory?

500

The percentage of stars in the universe like our Sun.

What is ~4%?

Earth- Sun Relationship

100

This movement creates day and night on Earth.

What is rotation?

200

If it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it is this season in the Southern Hemisphere.

What is summer?

300

This is the main cause of the Earth's changing seasons.

What is Earth's tilt?

400

This defines the length of an Earth year.

What is one revolution?

500

Explain the difference between a solstice and and equinox.

What is a solstice occurs when the Earth is tilted in a way that the Sun is at its highest point north or south of the equator giving one hemisphere more direct sunlight. An equinox is when the Earth is tilted in a way that the Sun is directly over the Earth's equator giving equal sunlight to both hemispheres.

Earth- Moon Relationship

100

Because the Moon rotates and revolves at the same time, we see this.

What is the same side of the Moon?

200

This is the type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon blocks sunlight from reaching Earth.

What is a solar eclipse?

300

This is the number of moon phases.

What is 8?

400

This is the term for Moon rotating on its axis at the same rate that it orbits Earth.

What is synchronous rotation (or tidal locking)?

500

The Moon phase cycle lasts about 29.5 days. How long does it take the Moon to wax from new moon to full moon?

What is about 2 weeks?

Sun- Moon Relationship

100

When the Sun shines on the Moon it causes this.

What is the Moon reflecting the Sun's light.

200

A burning ball of hydrogen and helium.

What is a star?

300

This is the amount of gravity the Moon has compared to the Earth.

What is one-sixth?

400

The phases of the Moon that you can see during the day.

What is a crescent or gibbous shape?

500

Describe what causes tides.

What is the Moon's gravitational pull on Earth's oceans?

Universe, pt. 2

100

This is the closest star to Earth.

What is the Sun?

200

This is the name of the nearest galaxy to ours.

What is the Andromeda Galaxy?

300

All of the outer planets are composed of this.

What is gas?

400

The star type that makes up ~75% or 3/4ths of the known stars.

What are red dwarf stars?

500

The closest star to our solar system (not the  Sun).

What is Proxima Centauri?