Solar System Basics
How many planets orbit the Sun?
8
What is the spinning of Earth on its axis called?
Rotation
What planet is closest to the Sun?
Mercury
What is the largest planet in the solar system?
Jupiter
What icy object forms a glowing tail near the Sun?
Comet
About how old is the solar system?
4.5 billion years
How long does Earth take to rotate once?
24 hours
What is the hottest planet?
Venus
What planet is famous for its rings?
Saturn
What is a rock traveling through space called?
Meteoroid
What star is at the center of our solar system?
The Sun
What is Earth’s movement around the Sun called?
Revolution
What planet is known as the Red Planet?
What planet rotates on its side?
Uranus
What is the streak of light seen when a rock burns in Earth's atmosphere?
Meteor
What force keeps the planets orbiting the Sun?
Gravity
How long does Earth take to orbit the Sun?
365 days
What planet is the only known planet to support life?
Earth
What is the farthest planet from the Sun?
Neptune
What is a space rock that lands on Earth called?
Meteorite
In what galaxy is our solar system located?
Milky Way
What causes the seasons on Earth?
Earth’s tilt
What are the four inner rocky planets called?
Terrestrial planets
What are the outer giant planets called?
Jovian planets
What type of object is Pluto classified as today?
Dwarf planet