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Quiz about Our Solar System Interesting Facts
Quiz about Our Solar System Interesting Facts

Our Solar System: Interesting Facts Quiz


This quiz will examine interesting facts and figures about the celestial bodies located within a few hours trip from Earth at the speed of light. So strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.

A multiple-choice quiz by maddogmaxx. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
maddogmaxx
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
291,200
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Difficult
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
4700
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: bakeryfarm (6/10), spaismunky (9/10), comark2000 (10/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Which of the following celestial bodies is not classified as a dwarf planet? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What asteroid measures 21 miles long and sometimes approaches as close as 75 light seconds from Earth? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. In a straight line, which of these planets is the closest to Earth? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. What was the first successful fly-by mission to Mars? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What joint American-German launched satellite studied solar flares and the solar wind? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. One of Venus's most distinct features is Maat Mons. Which of the following statements about Maat Mons is false? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Less than a thirty light minute trip from Earth, what are Ida and Dactyl? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What is Wild 2? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Neptune's moon Triton is expected to break apart or collide with Neptune in the next ten thousand years.


Question 10 of 10
10. What is a Centaur? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Feb 22 2024 : bakeryfarm: 6/10
Feb 04 2024 : spaismunky: 9/10
Jan 30 2024 : comark2000: 10/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which of the following celestial bodies is not classified as a dwarf planet?

Answer: Nix

As of 2008, the International Astronomical Union only recognizes three dwarf planets. Many scientists believe, however, that several hundred objects might be classified as dwarf planets once the technology exists to better study the Kuiper belt. Nix will not be one of these as it is a recently (2005) discovered moon of Pluto.
2. What asteroid measures 21 miles long and sometimes approaches as close as 75 light seconds from Earth?

Answer: Eros

In terms of the size of the asteroids in the inner portion of our solar system, Eros is huge, approximately ten times the size of the asteroid thought to have impacted Earth and killed off the dinosaurs. Thankfully, its orbit has not crossed ours.
3. In a straight line, which of these planets is the closest to Earth?

Answer: It varies depending upon the date and time

Because our solar system is dynamic rather than static, the distances between Earth and the other planets are in a constant state of flux. In fact, during much of the early 21st Century, Mercury has been the closest planet to us and Venus has been the furthest of those listed, even further away than the sun itself.
4. What was the first successful fly-by mission to Mars?

Answer: Mariner 4

NASA's Mariner 4 flew by Mars in 1965. The Soviet probe Mars 2 was the first to land on the surface of Mars in 1971, but contact was lost within seconds.
5. What joint American-German launched satellite studied solar flares and the solar wind?

Answer: Helios 1

As far as stars go, the sun is a middle-aged midget. Even so, it produces 383 billion trillion kilowatts of energy every second (the equivalent of 100 trillion tons of TNT detonating) and spits out plasma clouds at nearly the speed of light. It also contains 99.8% of our solar system's mass and it would take us about eight light minutes to arrive there.

Helios 1 studied the sun from an orbit just outside of Mercury.
6. One of Venus's most distinct features is Maat Mons. Which of the following statements about Maat Mons is false?

Answer: It is named for the Roman goddess of fire.

It is actually named after Ma'at, the Egyptian goddess of truth and justice. Although there is no evidence of recent lava flows, there seems to be some ash flows on the northern side of the mountain.
7. Less than a thirty light minute trip from Earth, what are Ida and Dactyl?

Answer: An asteroid and its satellite

Ida is 52 mile wide asteroid and an inhabitant of the Asteroid Belt located between Mars and Jupiter. Dactyl is a satellite of Ida.
8. What is Wild 2?

Answer: Comet

Before 1974, Wild 2 lived among the gas giants until a near impact with Jupiter hurled it into the inner solar system. Its current orbit will bring it to within 25 light seconds of the sun.
9. Neptune's moon Triton is expected to break apart or collide with Neptune in the next ten thousand years.

Answer: False

Triton's orbit is currently degrading but not that rapidly. Current estimates predict that its orbit will collapse within the next ten million years. Scientists are unsure, however, if Triton will break apart or impact its host planet.
10. What is a Centaur?

Answer: All of these

Centaur is the name given to planetoids located between the orbits of Jupiter and Neptune. Comets and asteroids are subclasses of planetoids.
Source: Author maddogmaxx

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