Stars and the Universe
What is the main source of light and heat for Earth?
The sun
What icy object has a tail when it gets close to the Sun?
A comet
Which planet is known as the “Red Planet”?
Mars
What force keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?
Gravity
What is one simple way humans detect asteroids?
Telescopes
Stars are mostly made up of what two gases?
Hydrogen and Helium
What do we call a rock from space that burns up in Earth’s atmosphere?
A meteor
Which planet has the most moons in our solar system?
Jupiter
What is the name of the region where most asteroids are found?
Asteroid Belt
What is the method where a spacecraft hits an asteroid to push it off course?
What process powers a star, creating its energy?
Nuclear Fusion
What is the term for a space rock that actually lands on Earth?
A meteorite
Which planet has rings made of ice and rock?
Saturn
What is the idea of using a spacecraft’s gravity to gently pull an asteroid off course?
Gravity Tractor
What is the name for a giant explosion that happens when a massive star dies?
A Supernova
What region do most comets come from—the Kuiper Belt or the Oort Cloud?
Both but mostly Oort
What planet is closest to the Sun?
Mercury
What are the four inner planets called (because they are rocky)?
Terrestrial
In 2022, NASA tested an asteroid-deflecting mission. What was it called?
DART
What do we call the group of millions or billions of stars held together by gravity?
A galaxy
What is the main difference between an asteroid and a comet?
metal and ice
What makes a dwarf planet different from a regular planet?
Size and orbit
What is the name of the outer region filled with icy objects beyond Neptune?
The Kuiper Belt
Why is blowing up an asteroid usually not the best idea?
Can make many dangerous pieces that head towards Earth