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Quizzes > Science > Earth & Space Science

Think You Know the Stars and Planets? Take the Quiz!

Test Your Skills with Solar System Trivia and Astronomy Questions

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art planets stars and rockets orbiting on teal backdrop around bold quiz title for solar system trivia challenge

This stars and planets quiz helps you practice space facts and see what you know about orbits, moons, and star types. Play now and learn a fact or two, whether you're new to astronomy or coming from our solar system quiz .

Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
Jupiter
Mars
Mercury
Venus
Mars is often called the Red Planet because its surface contains iron oxide, giving it a reddish appearance. This iron oxide, or rust, reflects sunlight in a way that makes Mars look red in telescopic images. Dust storms on Mars also lift fine red dust into its atmosphere, enhancing its red hue. Learn more about Mars at NASA .
What is the center of our solar system?
Jupiter
Moon
Earth
The Sun
The Sun is a G-type main-sequence star at the center of our solar system. Its gravity holds the planets, asteroids, and comets in their orbits. All solar system bodies orbit the Sun due to its dominant mass and gravitational influence. For detailed information, visit NASA .
Which celestial body orbits a planet?
A Moon
A Comet
An Asteroid
A Meteoroid
A moon, or natural satellite, is an object that orbits a planet. Moons are held in orbit by the planet's gravity and can vary widely in size. Our own Moon orbits Earth and is the fifth-largest moon in the solar system. More on lunar science at NASA .
How many planets are in our solar system?
7
8
10
9
There are eight recognized planets in our solar system following the 2006 IAU reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet. The eight planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. This definition is based on clear criteria for orbit clearing. Learn more from the IAU .
What force keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?
Magnetism
Gravity
Radiation pressure
Electromagnetism
Gravity is the attractive force between masses that keeps planets in their orbits around the Sun. The Sun's large mass generates a strong gravitational field that governs orbital motions. Without gravity, planets would move in straight lines instead of curved paths. More on gravitational dynamics at NASA .
Which is the largest planet in our solar system?
Jupiter
Saturn
Neptune
Earth
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, with a diameter of about 142,984 kilometers. It is a gas giant composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter's mass is more than twice that of all the other planets combined. For more on Jupiter's characteristics, see NASA .
What do we call a system of millions or billions of stars held together by gravity?
Universe
Constellation
Solar system
Galaxy
A galaxy is a massive system of stars, stellar remnants, gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravity. Our solar system resides in the Milky Way galaxy. Galaxies can range from dwarf types with a few billion stars to giants with one trillion stars. Learn more from NASA .
Which planet is known for its rings?
Neptune
Uranus
Saturn
Jupiter
Saturn is famous for its prominent ring system composed of ice, rock, and dust particles. While other gas giants also have rings, Saturn's are the most extensive and visible. The rings are divided into several distinct sections labeled A through G. Discover more about Saturn's rings at NASA .
What is the primary gas found in the Sun?
Carbon
Helium
Hydrogen
Oxygen
The Sun is composed of about 74% hydrogen by mass, making it the primary element in its composition. Hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium in the Sun's core, releasing energy. This process powers the Sun and produces sunlight and solar wind. Read more at NASA .
Which planet has the most confirmed moons as of recent observations?
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Jupiter
Saturn currently holds the record for the most confirmed moons, with 82 known satellites. Jupiter follows closely with 79 confirmed moons. Saturn's abundant moons vary from tiny moonlets to large bodies like Titan. For details, see NASA .
What is the name of the galaxy that contains our solar system?
Whirlpool
Andromeda
Large Magellanic Cloud
Milky Way
Our solar system resides in the Milky Way galaxy, a barred spiral galaxy. The Milky Way spans about 100,000 light-years in diameter and contains over 200 billion stars. It features multiple spiral arms and a central bulge. More information at NASA .
What type of star is our Sun classified as?
Red dwarf
G-type main-sequence star
Blue giant
White dwarf
The Sun is classified as a G-type main-sequence star (G2V), often called a yellow dwarf. This classification indicates its surface temperature and spectral characteristics. G-type stars fuse hydrogen into helium in their cores. For details, see ESA .
Which planet is sometimes called Earth's twin?
Mercury
Mars
Venus
Jupiter
Venus is often called Earth's twin because it is similar in size, mass, and composition. However, its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere and surface temperatures above 460°C make it extremely inhospitable. Venus also has a runaway greenhouse effect that differentiates it from Earth. Learn more from NASA .
What is the term for a rocky object orbiting the Sun, mostly found between Mars and Jupiter?
Comet
Asteroid
Meteorite
Meteor
Asteroids are rocky objects that primarily orbit the Sun in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. They range in size from tiny rocks to objects hundreds of kilometers across. These bodies are remnants from the early solar system that never formed into planets. More at NASA .
What is the brightest planet in our night sky?
Jupiter
Mars
Venus
Sirius
Venus is the brightest planet as seen from Earth due to its high albedo and proximity to us. Its thick clouds reflect a large portion of sunlight back into space. Venus can reach a magnitude of ?4.9, making it brighter than any other planet or star except the Sun and the Moon. More at NASA .
What is the approximate age of the universe?
5,000 years
20 billion years
13.8 billion years
4.5 billion years
Cosmological observations, including the cosmic microwave background and the expansion rate of the universe, indicate an age of about 13.8 billion years. This estimate comes from data collected by missions like Planck and WMAP. The sound horizon and Hubble constant measurements refine this figure. Read more at NASA .
What is the Roche limit?
The radius of a planet's magnetosphere
The maximum stable orbit around a planet
The region where solar wind dominates
The distance within which a celestial body will disintegrate due to tidal forces
The Roche limit is the minimum distance at which a celestial body, held together by its own gravity, can approach a larger body without being torn apart by tidal forces. Inside this limit, tidal stresses exceed the object's self-gravity. It explains why rings form around planets like Saturn. For details, see ESA .
Which process powers the Sun, converting hydrogen into helium?
Chemical combustion
Fission
Radioactive decay
Nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion is the process by which hydrogen nuclei combine under extreme temperature and pressure in the Sun's core to form helium. This reaction releases vast amounts of energy that power the Sun and emit light and heat. Fusion occurs via the proton - proton chain in stars of the Sun's mass. Learn more at NASA .
What is the Kuiper Belt?
A region of icy bodies beyond Neptune's orbit
The inner asteroid belt
The dust ring around Mars
A cloud of comets near Earth
The Kuiper Belt is a torus-shaped region of the solar system extending beyond Neptune, filled with small icy bodies and dwarf planets like Pluto. It is the source of short-period comets and contains remnants from the solar system's formation. The belt lies roughly between 30 and 55 astronomical units from the Sun. Explore more at NASA .
Which star is the closest to Earth after the Sun?
Proxima Centauri
Barnard's Star
Sirius
Alpha Centauri A
Proxima Centauri is the nearest star to our solar system after the Sun, located about 4.24 light-years away. It is a red dwarf star in the Alpha Centauri triple system. Proxima Centauri hosts at least one known exoplanet in its habitable zone. For more, see ESA .
What is a Type Ia supernova?
A gamma-ray burst phenomenon
A neutron star collision event
A supernova from a white dwarf accreting matter to the Chandrasekhar limit
A core-collapse supernova from a massive star
A Type Ia supernova occurs when a white dwarf in a binary system accumulates matter from its companion and reaches the Chandrasekhar limit, causing runaway nuclear fusion. These events have a consistent peak luminosity and are used as standard candles in cosmology. They differ from core-collapse supernovae of massive stars. More at NASA .
What is the heliosphere?
The magnetosphere of Earth
The Sun's photosphere
The bubble-like region dominated by the solar wind
The region between Mars and Jupiter
The heliosphere is a vast bubble in space created by the solar wind as it flows outward from the Sun, carving out a cavity in the interstellar medium. It extends well beyond the orbit of Pluto and ends at the heliopause. The Voyager spacecraft have provided key data on its structure. Learn more at NASA .
What effect describes the change in frequency of light from an object moving away from the observer?
Redshift
Doppler effect
Blueshift
Gravitational redshift
Redshift refers to the increase in wavelength (decrease in frequency) of light from objects moving away from the observer, due to the Doppler effect in astrophysics. It is a key tool for measuring cosmic expansion and galaxy velocities. Gravitational redshift is distinct, arising from light escaping a gravity well. More details at NASA .
What is the Chandrasekhar limit?
The maximum mass (~1.4 solar masses) a white dwarf can have before collapsing
The minimum mass for hydrogen fusion in stars (~0.08 solar masses)
The mass threshold for black hole formation (~3 solar masses)
The mass limit above which stars become neutron stars (~2.5 solar masses)
The Chandrasekhar limit is about 1.4 times the mass of the Sun and represents the maximum mass a non-rotating white dwarf can have before electron degeneracy pressure fails. Exceeding this limit leads to collapse and often triggers a Type Ia supernova. It is fundamental in stellar evolution theory. More at NASA .
In gravitational microlensing, what primary characteristic indicates the presence of an exoplanet?
Periodic Doppler shifts in the host star's spectrum
Repeated dips in brightness at regular intervals
Anomalies in the light curve magnification during the event
Direct imaging of the planet's reflected light
Gravitational microlensing detects exoplanets by observing brief anomalies or deviations in the symmetric light curve of a background star being lensed by a foreground star - planet system. These light curve distortions reveal the planet's mass and separation from its host star. This method is sensitive to planets at wide separations. Read more at NASA .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Major Celestial Bodies -

    Recognize key stars and planets in our solar system and beyond by name and basic characteristics.

  2. Differentiate Stars and Planets -

    Distinguish between stellar and planetary objects based on composition, formation, and behavior.

  3. Recall Essential Solar System Trivia -

    Retrieve fun facts and figures about planets, moons, and other bodies from our solar system.

  4. Analyze Planetary and Stellar Properties -

    Examine factors like size, temperature, and orbital dynamics to compare different celestial objects.

  5. Apply Astronomical Terminology -

    Use correct space science terms when describing features of stars, planets, and other cosmic phenomena.

  6. Evaluate Your Space Knowledge -

    Assess your understanding of astronomy quiz questions and identify areas for further exploration.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Stellar Spectral Classification -

    In a stars and planets quiz you'll often see stars sorted into seven spectral classes (O, B, A, F, G, K, M) based on surface temperature; O-stars shine over 30,000 K while M-stars are cooler than 3,700 K (NASA). Use the mnemonic "Oh Be A Fine Girl/Guy, Kiss Me" to lock in the sequence effortlessly.

  2. Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion -

    Kepler's three laws describe planetary orbits: planets move in ellipses with the Sun at one focus, sweep out equal areas in equal time intervals, and follow P² = a³ where P is orbital period in years and a is semi-major axis in astronomical units (ESA). Practicing this formula with Earth (1² = 1³) and Mars (1.88² ≈ 1.52³) cements the concept for any astronomy quiz questions. These principles underpin solar system trivia and deepen your space knowledge quiz confidence.

  3. Solar System Order Mnemonic -

    The classic sequence "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles" helps you recall the order of planets from Mercury to Neptune; this trick is a staple in solar system trivia and planets tests alike. Some versions add "Pizzas" at the end for Pluto if your quiz still includes it (University of Arizona). Repeating it aloud makes the order stick instantly.

  4. Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram & Stellar Lifecycle -

    The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram plots stellar luminosity against surface temperature to reveal life stages: main sequence, red giants, and white dwarfs (Cambridge University). Most stars, like our Sun, spend ~90% of their lives on the main sequence burning hydrogen. Visualizing where a given star falls helps conquer stars and planets quiz questions on stellar evolution.

  5. Planetary Atmospheres & Composition -

    Terrestrial and gas giant planets have stark atmospheric differences: Earth's 78% N₂ and 21% O₂ contrasts with Jupiter's ~90% H₂ and 10% He (NASA Planetary Science). Knowing key gas percentages and pressure conditions boosts your space knowledge quiz score. For example, recognizing CO₂'s dominance (95%) on Mars explains its thin, cold atmosphere instantly.

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