Amazing Astronomy Trivia Quiz

Answer: Saturn

Saturn has a density of 0.687 grams per cubic centimeter. Water's density is 1 gram per cubic centimeter. Since Saturn's density is less than the density of water, Saturn could float if submerged in water. Saturn is mostly composed of gas, and it causes the planet to be less dense, but the gas might also cause problems with it floating, even assuming sufficient water could be found to test the theory.

Answer: Aquila

The brightest star of Aquila is Altair. It is over 16 light-years away from Earth. Aquila was one of the constellations listed in "The Almagest", a book written by Ptolemy, a 2nd-century astronomer. The ancient Romans called Aquila by the name "Vultur Volans" which means "flying vulture".

Answer: A high-pressure storm

The Great Red Spot is a high-pressure storm that was first observed about 400 years ago. It is gigantic. About three Earths could fit into the Great Red Spot alone! Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. Over 1,000 Earths can fit into Jupiter.

Answer: White dwarf

The life cycle of a star is different depending on how massive the star is. When a star leaves the main sequence (the middle-aged) portion of its life, an average-mass star (like our Sun) will turn into a red giant. Then, the star turns into a white dwarf, the final stage in the life cycle.

A gigantic star becomes a red supergiant, which then turns into a supernova. Finally, the supernova turns into either a neutron star or a black hole.

Answer: Pluto

Clyde was only 24 years old when he discovered Pluto. He taught himself trigonometry, geometry, and optics when his parents' crops were destroyed in a storm (therefore preventing Clyde from going to college). Pluto was classified as a planet until 2006, when astronomers classified it as a dwarf planet.

Answer: 4.5 billion years old

The Sun is a star in the main-sequence phase of its life. It is an average-sized star when compared to other stars in the universe. Its mass is about 99% of that of the entire solar system. The Sun has a surface temperature of over 5,000 Kelvin (over 8,500 degrees Fahrenheit and 4,500 degrees Celsius).

Answer: Mars

Iron oxide, or rust, is red and gives Mars its distinct red color. Mars is one of the smallest planets in our solar system and is named for the Roman god of war. Scientists are studying ways to alter Mars so that it one day may be habitable for humans.

Answer: Mars and Jupiter

The asteroid belt has thousands of asteroids. Some asteroids can be miles wide, while others are only a couple of feet wide. Ceres, a notable dwarf planet, orbits the Sun in the asteroid belt. It has a diameter of over 500 miles! Some asteroids have craters on them, similar to the craters seen on Earth's moon.

Answer: 74-76

Halley's Comet is a short-period comet because it orbits around the Sun in less than 200 years. It is named for English astronomer Edmond Halley, who lived in the 17th and 18th centuries and deduced that the comet would return to Earth every 74-76 years. The first recorded observation of Halley's Comet was made by Chinese astronomers in the 3rd century B.C.

Answer: 19th century

Neptune was discovered in 1846 by Johann Galle. It is the third-largest planet in our solar system. It is named after Neptune, Roman god of the sea. Neptune is about four times bigger than Earth. One year on Neptune is equivalent to over 160 earth years!