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Facts About Constellations Trivia Quiz

Do you know the largest constellation? The smallest? Then try this quiz.

A multiple-choice quiz by tralfaz. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
tralfaz

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
85,944

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
7 / 15

Plays
1488

Last 3 plays: Guest 209 (4/15), Guest 174 (15/15), Guest 174 (14/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Which constellation does not have a star above the fifth magnitude? Hint

Caelum

Mensa

Horologium

Sextans

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Question 2 of 15

2. Argo Navis (The Ship) was the largest constellation before it was divided into 3 separate constellations. Which one is NOT one of those pieces? Hint

poop-deck

sails

keel

fore-deck

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Question 3 of 15

3. So what is now the largest constellation? Hint

Cetus

Eridanus

Draco

Hydra

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Question 4 of 15

4. And the smallest constellation? Hint

Equuleus

Circinus

Sagitta

Crux Australis

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Question 5 of 15

5. What constellation represents a unicorn?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 6 of 15

6. Fornax represents what? Hint

Dame Fortune

A mythological figure

The wheel of fortune

A furnace

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Question 7 of 15

7. Which constellation contains the star Cor Caroli? Hint

Microscopium

Canes Venatici

Scutum

Triangulum Australe

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Question 8 of 15

8. The two brightest stars in this constellation are named Svalocin & Rotanev. Hint

Sculptor

Delphinus

Ara

Vulpecula

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Question 9 of 15

9. Which constellation has two pieces Caput (The Head) and Cauda (The Body) separated by over 10 degrees? Hint

Lupus

Camelopardus

Lynx

Serpens

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Question 10 of 15

10. This constellation lost its third brightest star to Taurus. Hint

Norma

Dorado

Auriga

Lepus

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Question 11 of 15

11. Now for some history! How many constellations did Ptolemy list? Hint

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Question 12 of 15

12. What was the first constellation added to Ptolemy's list?

Answer: (Two Words)

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Question 13 of 15

13. Besides Ptolemy, who has had the most proposed constellations accepted? Hint

Nicolas La Caille

Johann Bayer

Johann Bode

Hevelius

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Question 14 of 15

14. What was the original name of Apus? Hint

Quadra Euclidis

Avis Indica

Pyxis Nautica

Reticulum Rhomboidalis

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Question 15 of 15

15. Final Question: How many official constellations are there?

Answer: (Answer is a number.)

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 03 2024 : Guest 209: 4/15
Apr 02 2024 : Guest 174: 15/15
Mar 21 2024 : Guest 174: 14/15
Feb 28 2024 : Guest 103: 3/15
Feb 27 2024 : ceetee: 8/15
Feb 22 2024 : Guest 103: 11/15

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which constellation does not have a star above the fifth magnitude?

Answer: Mensa

Mensa (The Table) is the dimmest constellation.
Caelum (The Engaving Tool), Horologium (The Clock), and Sextans (The Sextant) each have 2 stars above the 5th magnitude.

2. Argo Navis (The Ship) was the largest constellation before it was divided into 3 separate constellations. Which one is NOT one of those pieces?

Answer: fore-deck

Argo Navis is now made up of Puppis, Vela, and Carina.

3. So what is now the largest constellation?

Answer: Hydra

Hydra (The Watersnake) covers 1303 square degrees.
Cetus (The Whale) is 1232 s.d.
Eridanus (The River) is 1138 s.d.
Draco (The Dragon) is 1083 s.d.

4. And the smallest constellation?

Answer: Crux Australis

Crux Australis (The Southern Cross) covers 68 square degrees.
Equuleus (The Foal) is 72 s.d.
Sagitta (The Arrow) is 80 s.d.
Circinus (The Compasses) is 93 s.d.
These are the only constellations under 100 square degrees.

5. What constellation represents a unicorn?

Answer: Monoceros

Monoceros is Greek for "one-horn"

6. Fornax represents what?

Answer: A furnace

7. Which constellation contains the star Cor Caroli?

Answer: Canes Venatici

This brightest star in Canes Venatici was named by Edmond Halley to honor King Charles I of England.

8. The two brightest stars in this constellation are named Svalocin & Rotanev.

Answer: Delphinus

They were named by Nicolaus Venator of course.

9. Which constellation has two pieces Caput (The Head) and Cauda (The Body) separated by over 10 degrees?

Answer: Serpens

It is any surprise that between the two parts of the snake is Orphiuchus (The Serpent Bearer).

10. This constellation lost its third brightest star to Taurus.

Answer: Auriga

Even though this constellation contains Capella, it gets no repect. The star Al Nath had its designation changed from Gamma Aurigae to Beta Tauri

11. Now for some history! How many constellations did Ptolemy list?

Answer: 48

21 Northern, 12 Zodiacal, 15 Southern

12. What was the first constellation added to Ptolemy's list?

Answer: Coma Berenices

By Tycho Brahe around 1590

13. Besides Ptolemy, who has had the most proposed constellations accepted?

Answer: Nicolas La Caille

In 1752, La Caille proposed 14 constellations and all were accepted.
In 1603, Bayer proposed 11 constellations and all were accepted.
In 1690, Hevelius proposed 11 constellations and 9 were accepted.
In 1775, Bode proposed 9 constellations and NONE were accepted.

14. What was the original name of Apus?

Answer: Avis Indica

Confusion between two constellations Avis Indica (The Bird of Paradise) and Apis (The Bee) led to the hybrid Apus which is still given the English translation "Bird of Paradise"
Quadra Euclidis (Euclid's Square) became Norma (The Ruler)
Pyxis Nautica (The Sailor's Compass) has been shortened to Pyxis
Reticulum Rhomboidalis (The Rhombodial Net) has been shortened to Reticulum

15. Final Question: How many official constellations are there?

Answer: 88

Source: Author tralfaz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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