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The Planetary Society Trivia Quiz

Here's a quick quiz to see what you know about this non-profit, space-oriented organization.

A multiple-choice quiz by GeniusBoy. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
GeniusBoy

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
49,206

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
411

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. We'll start at the beginning. In what year was the Planetary Society founded? Hint

1991

1958

1976

1980

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following men was not one of the original three founders of the Society? Hint

Bill Nye

Louis Friedman

Carl Sagan

Bruce Murray

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Planetary Society boasts over 100,000 members from over how many countries? Hint

140

110

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Question 4 of 10

4. Members of the Society receive a bi-monthly magazine informing them of the Society's activities, as well as important space news. What is this publication called? Hint

Beyond Earth

Space Illustrated

The Planetary Report

The Planetary Magazine

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who was the first President of the Planetary Society? Hint

Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin

Louis Friedman

Carl Sagan

Bruce Murray

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Question 6 of 10

6. True or false: all members on the Board of Directors of the Planetary Society are unpaid volunteers.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who was the President of the Planetary Society in 2000? Hint

Donald J. Kutyna

Louis Friedman

Bruce Murray

Carl Sagan

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the name of the Society's current project, a light powered solar sail? Hint

Planetary 1

Sagan 1

SERENDIP 1

Cosmos 1

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Question 9 of 10

9. Currently, the Society is urging its members (and even those who aren't members) to write their senators about saving a mission to what solar system body? Hint

Pluto

Mars

Europa

Mercury

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Question 10 of 10

10. Lastly, a relatively simple question: What is the URL of the Planetary Society's website? Hint

www.planetarysociety.com

www.planetary.org

www.planet.org

www.psociety.com

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. We'll start at the beginning. In what year was the Planetary Society founded?

Answer: 1980

When Carl Sagan, Louis Friedman, and Bruce Murray founded the Society in 1980 it was to encourage the exploration of our solar system and the search for extraterrestrial life.

2. Which of the following men was not one of the original three founders of the Society?

Answer: Bill Nye

Bill Nye ('The Science Guy') is on the Board of Directors, but he didn't found the organization.

3. The Planetary Society boasts over 100,000 members from over how many countries?

Answer: 140

There are plenty of space enthusiasts out there.

4. Members of the Society receive a bi-monthly magazine informing them of the Society's activities, as well as important space news. What is this publication called?

Answer: The Planetary Report

The Planetary Report may not be as lengthy as some magazines, but it's interesting. Space Illustrated actually is a magazine, but it isn't connected to the Planetary Society.

5. Who was the first President of the Planetary Society?

Answer: Carl Sagan

Dr. Sagan had a talent for popularizing science and presenting it to the general public. He died in 1996.

6. True or false: all members on the Board of Directors of the Planetary Society are unpaid volunteers.

Answer: false

All Board members with the exception of Louis Friedman are unpaid volunteers. Dr. Friedman is salaried as Executive Director of the Planetary Society.

7. Who was the President of the Planetary Society in 2000?

Answer: Bruce Murray

Dr. Sagan is deceased, Dr. Friedman is the Executive Director, and Mr. Kutyna is the Vice-President. Bruce Murray is also a Professor of Planetary Science at the California Institute of Technology. He was replaced by Neil Tyson.

8. What is the name of the Society's current project, a light powered solar sail?

Answer: Cosmos 1

Unfortunately, a July 20 test of Cosmos 1 resulted in the loss of the sail because a computer failed to separate the spacecraft from the upper stage of the rocket. Still, the Society is determined to conduct more tests later in the year.

9. Currently, the Society is urging its members (and even those who aren't members) to write their senators about saving a mission to what solar system body?

Answer: Pluto

Congress recently cut funding to a Pluto-Kuiper Belt mission, but there is still some hope for the mission. Pluto is the only planet that has not yet been visited by spacecraft.

10. Lastly, a relatively simple question: What is the URL of the Planetary Society's website?

Answer: www.planetary.org

Their website has current Society news as well as information about the organization. If you have an interest in space perhaps you'd like to join the Society.

Source: Author GeniusBoy

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