Vocabulary and Facts
What is the largest star in our solar system?
Sun
The innermost (closest) planet to the sun characterized by a very thin atmosphere is....
A. Venus
B. Earth
C. Mars
D. Mercury
D: Mercury
The largest planet in our solar system characterized by a giant red spot.
A. Jupiter
B. Saturn
C. Mars
D. Neptune
A: Jupiter
What planet is known as Earth's twin?
Venus
How long it takes a planet to go around the sun one time is called a(n)....
A. Rotation
B. Revolution
C. Planetary Orbit
D. Light Year
B: Revolution
The hottest planet in our solar system is.....
A. Mercury
B. Venus
C. Jupiter
D. Mars
B: Venus
What planet is known for its distinctive rings?
Saturn
What two planets have the most moons?
Jupiter and Saturn
How long it takes a planet to turn once on its' axis is called a(n).....
A. Rotation
B. Revolution
C. Planetary Orbit
D. Light Year
A: Rotation
What inner planet is known as the red planet?
For double the points, explain why.
Mars
Because the soil on Mars has oxidized or rusted.
Which planet rotates on it's side making each of the four seasons on the planet last approximately 20 years?
Uranus
Pluto was once considered a planet, but has recently been declassified as such. What is Pluto now known as?
Dwarf Planet
The distance between the Earth and the sun is referred to as a(n)......
A. Light Year
B. Solar Distance
C. Astronomical Unit
D. None of the Above
C: Astronomical Unit
What is another name for the inner planets?
A. Gas Giants
B. Jovian Planets
C. Terrestrial Planets
D. Rock Planets
C. Terrestrial Planets
What is another name for the outer planets?
A. Terrestrial Planets
B. Gas Giants
C. Rock Planets
D. Giant Planets
B. Gas Giants
Which of the following is NOT one of the three criteria space objects have to meet to be considered a planet?
A. It has to orbit around the sun
B. It has to have at least one moon
C. It has to have a nearly round shape
D. It has to "clear the neighborhood" around its orbit
B: It has to have at least one moon
Name all the planets in order from closest to farthest from the sun.
1. Mercury 2. Venus 3. Earth 4. Mars 5. Jupiter
6. Saturn 7. Uranus 8. Neptune.
Name the inner planets.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.
Why is Venus the hottest planet when it is not the closest planet to the sun?
Venus' atmosphere is very thick which causes an enhanced greenhouse effect and heat to be trapped in the planet.
Name the outer planets.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
Between the inner and outer planets there is a large asteroid belt. What do scientists believe caused this asteroid belt?
It may be the remains of an early planet which broke up early in the solar system.