Our Solar System: Interesting Facts Quiz

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.