Space
What is a supernova?
The explosive death of a massive star
What is the largest asteroid in the asteroid belt?
Ceres (now classified as a dwarf planet)
What causes tides on Earth?
The gravitational pull of the Moon (and to a lesser extent, the Sun)
How many moons does Mars have?
Two (Phobos and Deimos)
How often does Halley’s Comet appear?
Approximately every 75-76 years
What is a comet made of?
Ice, dust, and rock (often called “dirty snowballs”)
What color are the hottest stars?
Blue or blue-white
What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite?
A meteor burns up in the atmosphere; a meteorite reaches Earth’s surface
What is the Oort Cloud?
A theoretical spherical cloud of icy objects surrounding the solar system
What is a white dwarf?
The remnant core of a dead star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel
What is the point of no return around a black hole called?
The event horizon
What is a black hole?
A region of space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape
What is the Great Red Spot on Jupiter?
A massive storm that has been raging for at least 400 years
Which planet rotates on its side?
Uranus
What was the name of the first artificial satellite?
Sputnik 1 (launched by the Soviet Union in 1957)