Galaxies and
the Universe
the Universe
What is the shape of Milky Way galaxy
Spiral
(Flattened disk shape with spiral arms)
What planets in our solar system are considered ice giants?
Uranus and Neptune
(Gas giants are Jupiter and Saturn)
What planet's unique rotation causes it to experience "seasons" that last decades due to its highly tilted axis?
Uranus - tilted at 98 degrees. This extreme tilt results in one hemisphere facing the Sun continuously for about 42 years while the other is in darkness, creating prolonged "summer" and "winter" seasons.
What is the event horizon on a black hole?
The event horizon is the boundary surrounding a black hole beyond which nothing can escape, not even light. It marks the point where the escape velocity equals the speed of light.
What is the habitable zone?
The habitable zone, also known as the "Goldilocks Zone," is the region around a star where conditions might be just right for liquid water to exist on a planet’s surface. It’s neither too hot nor too cold, allowing for potential life-supporting conditions.
What galaxy will our galaxy collide with in 4.5 billion years?
(Bonus 100 points: What will the merged galaxy probably be called?)
Andromeda / M31 galaxy
Milkomeda/Milkdromeda
Which planet has upper clouds made of hydrogen-sulfide, making it smell like rotten eggs?
Uranus
What makes the surface of Mars red?
(Bonus 100 points: What is the largest volcano in the solar system?)
Iron oxide
Olympus Mons
What two elements are stars mostly made of?
Where do we find the oort cloud?
a theoretical, spherical shell of icy bodies that surrounds the solar system at a great distance, far beyond the orbit of Pluto. It is believed to be the source of long-period comets that enter the inner solar system.
What is said to be at the center of the milky way galaxy?
Supermassive black hole known as Sagittarius A* (pronounced "Sagittarius A-star")
What is the hottest planet in the solar system with a surface temp of 450°C?
Venus
Which planet(s) in our solar system do not have any moons?
Mercury and venus
What are one of the celestial objects a star becomes after it supernovas? (Except a black hole)
What is the name of one of the Mars rovers?
Curiosity, Perseverance, Opportunity, or Spirit.
What accounts for approximately 85% of matter in the universe?
Dark matter
Which planet orbits the Sun four times in the time it takes the Earth to go round once?
Mercury
Which planet in our solar system has the most moons?
(Bonus 100 points: How many moons do Saturn and Jupiter have?)
Saturn
Saturn - 146 (62 new moons were discovered in 2023)
Jupiter - 95 moons
What is the name of the disk that encircles a black hole?
Accretion disk
What type of animal was the first in orbit?
DOG
How long ago was the big bang?
13.8 billion years ago
Which is the largest moon of Saturn?
(Bonus 100 points: What is the largest moon in the solar system?)
Titan - It has a dense atmosphere and surface lakes and rivers of liquid methane and ethane.
Ganymede - Jupiter, larger than the planet Mercury, only about half of Mercury's mass. Unique as it is the only moon known to possess a substantial magnetic field and is believed to have a subsurface ocean of liquid water beneath its icy crus
Name two of the four planets that do not have a solid surface to walk on?
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune
Extra 50 points for the actual type answer
Yellow dwarf star
G-type main-sequence star (G dwarf)
How long does it take the sun’s rays to reach Earth?
Full form of the ISS
Approximately 8 minutes
International Space Station