Starry Night Trivia Quiz

Answer: Altair

Altair (α Aquilae) is the brightest star of the constellation Aquila, the eagle. It is situated in what should be the eagle's neck. Altair is approximately 16.7 light-years from the Earth and is classified as a spectral type A, main sequence star.

The star is bluish-white in color. It is both larger and hotter than the Sun. Altair's name is of Arabic origin and roughly translates to "the flying eagle". It is also believed that Altair may be a multi-star system with at least three companions.

Answer: Arcturus

Arcturus (α Boötis) is the brightest star of the constellation Boötes, the herdsman, and is 36.7 light-years from the Earth. Arcturus is usually depicted as sitting at or just below the groin region of the herdsman. Arcturus is a spectral type K 'red giant', though its color is more of an orange.

It is older than the Sun and has used up much of its hydrogen fuel. The name Arcturus is of Greek origin and roughly translates to "Guardian of the Bear".

Answer: Sirius

Sirius (aka Dog Star) is famous for being the brightest star in our night sky. Its official designation is α Canis Majoris. It is part of the constellation Canis Major, the big dog. Sirius is actually a binary star system. One of the stars, Sirius A, is a spectral type A, main sequence star with a bluish-white color. Sirius B is a white dwarf, the naked core of a dying star.

It is hypothesized that this will be the final fate of our own Sun once it dies. Sirius is also relatively close to Earth, with a distance of 8.6 light-years.

The name is derived from the Ancient Greek word Seírios which means "scorcher".

Answer: Cor Caroli

Cor Caroli (α Canum Venaticorum) is also a binary star system. It is the brightest star found in the constellation Canes Venatici, the hunting dogs. The two hunting dogs are said to belong to Boötes, the herdsman. Cor Caroli consists of a spectral type A main sequence star, as well as a spectral type F main sequence star. Both are larger and hotter than the Sun.

It was given its name by British scientists in the 17th century. Cor Caroli is Latin which translates to Charles' Heart. However, astronomers are still uncertain as to whom the star was meant to be named after.

Some claim it was named for King Charles I, while others believe it was for King Charles II.

Answer: Garnet Star

μ Cephei is one of the stars of the constellation Cepheus named after a king from Greek mythology. It is fairly far away with a distance of over 2,800 lightyears from the Sun. μ Cephei was studied in great detail by British astronomer Sir William Herschel (1738-1832).

It was later named the Garnet Star due to the star's dark red color. The Garnet Star is a spectral type M red giant, with a radius more than 1000 times that of the Sun. Despite being larger, the Garnet Star has grown colder and is in the twilight of its long life.

The Garnet Star is expected to die via supernova, with its core developing into a black hole.

Answer: Castor

Castor (α Geminorum) is one of the two prominent stars found in the constellation Gemini, the twins. Gemini is often depicted as two humans standing side by side. Castor is situated at the head of the twin on the right. Castor is a multiple star system comprised of at least six individual stars. Two of the stars are classified as spectral type A main sequence stars, while the other four stars are classified as spectral type M red dwarf stars.

The name Castor comes from Greek mythology as he was one of the twin sons of the thunder god Zeus and the mortal Leda (the queen of Sparta).

Answer: Pollux

Pollux (β Geminorum) is the other prominent star from the Gemini constellation. It is situated at the head of the twin standing on the left. While Castor is a multiple star system, Pollux only comprises of a single star. Pollux is classified as a spectral type K red giant star similar to Arcturus. Pollux was named after the other twin son of Zeus and Leda. On June 16, 2006 a gas giant twice the mass of Jupiter was discovered to be orbiting Pollux.

Answer: Regulus

Regulus (α Leonis) is the brightest star of the constellation Leo, the lion. Visual depictions of Leo will often have Regulus situated around the lion's upper chest / lower neck area. Regulus is also a multiple star system comprising of at least four bodies.

The largest is a spectral type B main sequence star with a bluish white color. Two of the stars are a spectral type K orange dwarf and a spectral type M red dwarf. The fourth companion is believed to be in the white dwarf stage. Regulus is a Latin word that translates to "little king".

Answer: Vega

Vega (α Lyrae) is the brightest star of the constellation Lyra, which forms the shape of a musical instrument similar to a harp. Vega is a spectral type A main sequence star twice the mass of the Sun. Vega is theorized to have at one time been the northernmost star in the sky, a distinction which Polaris now holds. Vega may eventually reclaim that title in about 14,000 years. Vega's name is said to be of Arabic origin, derived from an Arabic expression "nasr al-wāqi", which translates to "the falling eagle".

Answer: Betelgeuse

Betelgeuse is designated as α Orionis. It is the second brightest star of the constellation Orion, the hunter. Visual images of Orion have Betelgeuse situated at the hunter's right shoulder. Betelgeuse is a spectral type M red supergiant star. It is theorized that Betelgeuse is near death and could possibly go supernova in less than a million years from now. Betelgeuse's name is of Arabic origin, believed to be derived from the phrase Ibṭ al-Jauzah.

Answer: Rigel

Rigel (β Orionis) is considered to be brightest star of the Orion constellation, although there are times when Betelgeuse may seem brighter. Rigel is often visually depicted as forming the left foot of the hunter. Rigel is considered a ternary (triple) star system.

The largest star in the system is classified as a spectral type B supergiant. The other two are considered spectral type B main sequence stars. The name for Rigel is derived from the Arabic word for leg.

Answer: Algol

Algol is designated as β Persei and is one of the stars of the constellation Perseus. Perseus was named after the mythological Greek hero who killed Medusa. In some visual depictions of the Perseus constellation, Algol represents the severed head of Medusa which the hero carries with him as a trophy. Algol is a ternary star system comprising of one spectral type B main sequence star, a spectral type K orange giant and a spectral type A main sequence star.

The type B and K stars are considered to be an eclipsing binary as they pass in front/behind one another from the Earth's point of view.

The name Algol is derived from the Arabic word al-ghūl, which means ogre. Algol is nicknamed the Demon Star.

Answer: Antares

Antares (α Scorpii) is the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, the scorpion. Visually, Antares is depicted as being at the center of the scorpion's thorax. Antares is a binary star system with one star being a spectral type M red supergiant and the other a spectral type B main sequence star.

Its name is of Greek origin which means "opposite of Ares". Early astronomers often confused Antares as being the planet Mars (named for the Roman god of war whose Greek counterpart was Ares). The name Antares was placed on the lunar module of Apollo 14, since the star was used to help the astronauts navigate to the Moon.

Answer: Aldebaran

α Tauri is the brightest star of the constellation Taurus, the bull. It was given the name Aldebaran, which is derived from the Arabic phrase al Dabarān, which means "the follower". It is believed the star was given this name as it follows behind a group of stars called the Pleiades. Aldebaran is classified as a red giant star with spectral type K. Aldebaran may have as many as five companion stars, but this has yet to be confirmed at the time of writing.

Answer: Polaris

Polaris (aka the North Star) is officially designated as α Ursae Minoris. It is part of the constellation Ursa Minor, sitting at the tail of "the little bear". It also forms the handle of the Little Dipper. While Polaris may not be among the brightest stars in the night sky, its position at the top of earth's north pole makes it the ideal navigational aid for travelers.

The Polaris system consists of three stars. One is a large supergiant, while the other two are main sequence stars. All three stars are classified as spectral type F, which have a bright yellow/white color.