Explore Our Solar System Flashcard

Front

Largest planet in the Solar System

Back

Jupiter

Answer explanation

Jupiter is the largest planet in our Solar System, significantly larger than Earth, Mars, and Saturn. It has a diameter of about 86,881 miles (139,822 kilometers), making it a gas giant with a massive size and strong gravitational pull.

Front

Phase of the Moon when it's not visible from Earth.

Back

New Moon

Answer explanation

The New Moon phase occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, making it not visible from Earth. In contrast, the Full Moon is fully illuminated and visible.

Front

Star at the center of our Solar System

Back

The Sun

Answer explanation

The star at the center of our Solar System is called The Sun. It is the primary source of light and energy for Earth, unlike Sirius, Polaris, and Alpha Centauri, which are other stars located far away from our Solar System.

Front

Planets in Solar System?

Back

8

Answer explanation

There are 8 planets in our Solar System: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006, reducing the total from 9 to 8.

Front

Phase of the Moon that appears as a half-circle.

Back

First Quarter

Answer explanation

The phase of the Moon that appears as a half-circle is called the First Quarter. During this phase, half of the Moon's surface is illuminated by the Sun, making it look like a perfect semicircle.

Front

Closest planet to the Sun

Back

Mercury

Answer explanation

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, orbiting at an average distance of about 57.91 million kilometers. Venus, Earth, and Mars are farther away, making Mercury the correct answer.

Front

Phase of the Moon when fully illuminated.

Back

Full Moon

Answer explanation

The phase of the Moon when it is fully illuminated is called the Full Moon. During this phase, the entire face of the Moon is visible from Earth, unlike the New Moon, Crescent Moon, or Gibbous Moon, which show varying amounts of illumination.

Front

Smallest planet in Solar System?

Back

Mercury

Answer explanation

Mercury is the smallest planet in our Solar System, with a diameter of about 4,880 kilometers. It is smaller than Venus, Earth, and Mars, making it the correct answer to the question.

Front

Planet known for its rings:

Back

Saturn

Answer explanation

Saturn is renowned for its stunning and extensive ring system, which is the most prominent among all the planets in our solar system. While Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune also have rings, they are not as well-defined or visible as Saturn's.

Front

Path a planet takes around the Sun

Back

Orbit

Answer explanation

The term 'orbit' refers to the curved path a planet takes around the Sun due to gravitational forces. While 'revolution' can also describe this motion, 'orbit' specifically denotes the path itself.