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General Astronomy Facts Trivia Quiz

Interesting facts about our Solar System and beyond. I hope you enjoy it!

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

Author
sirusrulz

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
340,849

Updated
Oct 04 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1222

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In the constellation of Serpens, this Messier object consists of noticeable features such as the Spire and the Pillars of Creation. What is it called? Hint

Tarantula Nebula

Crab Nebula

Eagle Nebula

Helix Nebula

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which constellation is sometimes referred to as the thirteenth sign of the zodiac? Hint

Ophiuchus

Cetus

Cancer

Leo

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Question 3 of 10

3. In September 29, 2010, an unconfirmed extrasolar planet 20.5 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Libra was discovered. What was its name? Hint

16 Cygni Bb

Upsilon Andromedae d

Gliese 581g

Kepler 22-b

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is the theoretical boundary between the Sun's solar wind and the interstellar medium? Hint

Solar flare

Oort cloud

Heliosphere

Heliopause

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which two co-ordinates are used to find a celestial object in the sky? Hint

Declination and right ascension

Latitude and longitude

Equatorial diameter and radius

Northings and eastings

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Question 6 of 10

6. Out of these four stars, which one is the brightest (as seen from Earth)? Hint

Vega

Achernar

Betelgeuse

Procyon

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is the term that defines the maximum mass of a white dwarf star, approximately equal to 1.38 solar masses? Hint

Roche's limit

Chandrasekhar limit

Hubble's law

Redshift

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the tight open cluster of stars located in the heart of the Orion Nebula named? Hint

Beehive Cluster

The Diamond

Butterfly Cluster

The Trapezium

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Question 9 of 10

9. Launched in 2006, the New Horizons spacecraft was aimed to study what celestial object? Hint

Eris

Halley's comet

Sedna

Pluto

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these is classified by astronomers as the largest star (actual diameter)? Hint

KY Cygni

Mu Cephei

VY Canis Majoris

Rigel

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In the constellation of Serpens, this Messier object consists of noticeable features such as the Spire and the Pillars of Creation. What is it called?

Answer: Eagle Nebula

Discovered by Jean-Philippe de Cheseaux in 1745-1746, the Eagle Nebula is a young open cluster of stars resembling an eagle.

2. Which constellation is sometimes referred to as the thirteenth sign of the zodiac?

Answer: Ophiuchus

The constellation of Ophiuchus barely crosses the ecliptic plane compared to the 12 traditional signs of the zodiac. As a result, it is not traditionally seen as a part of the zodiac.

3. In September 29, 2010, an unconfirmed extrasolar planet 20.5 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Libra was discovered. What was its name?

Answer: Gliese 581g

Detected by astronomers in the Lick-Carnegie Exoplanet Survey, Gliese 581g generated attention because from the amount of light it receives, it lie near the middle of the habitable zone, aka Goldilocks' position, of its parent star, Gliese 581. This means that it might be capable of sustaining life just like our Earth.

4. What is the theoretical boundary between the Sun's solar wind and the interstellar medium?

Answer: Heliopause

Voyager 1 is expected to pass the heliopause in 2014. Upon entering the heliopause, it is predicted to measure a massive drop in the temperature of charged particles.

5. Which two co-ordinates are used to find a celestial object in the sky?

Answer: Declination and right ascension

Declination and right ascension are the astronomical equivalent to latitude and longitude respectively.

6. Out of these four stars, which one is the brightest (as seen from Earth)?

Answer: Vega

Vega is the fifth brightest star in the night sky, due to its closeness to the solar system and high luminosity. It has also been extensively studied by astronomers.

7. What is the term that defines the maximum mass of a white dwarf star, approximately equal to 1.38 solar masses?

Answer: Chandrasekhar limit

The Chandrasekhar limit was named after Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, an astrophysicist who predicted it in 1930. Any white dwarf over this limit will form a different type of stellar remnant such as a neutron star or black hole. This is achievable by a white dwarf accreting hydrogen from its companion star, such as a red giant, thus forming a nova.

8. What is the tight open cluster of stars located in the heart of the Orion Nebula named?

Answer: The Trapezium

Discovered by Galileo Galilei, the Trapezium is one of the most prominent features in the Orion Nebula.

9. Launched in 2006, the New Horizons spacecraft was aimed to study what celestial object?

Answer: Pluto

The New Horizons spacecraft became the first spacecraft to fly by and study Pluto and its moons at close range.

10. Which of these is classified by astronomers as the largest star (actual diameter)?

Answer: VY Canis Majoris

VY Canis Majoris is also one of the most luminous stars known. If placed in the centre of the Solar System, the star's surface would extend to or beyond the orbit of Saturn.

Source: Author sirusrulz

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