Solar System Science Olympiad - Individual Test

Front

How does Mercury's orbit around the sun compare to its rotation on its axis? Options: It rotates slowly and orbits quickly, It orbits slowly and rotates quickly, It orbits quickly and rotates quickly, It orbits slowly and rotates slowly

Back

It rotates slowly and orbits quickly

Front

Which word best describes what nights on Mercury are like? Options: balmy, cool, hot, frigid

Back

frigid

Front

What makes it difficult for astronomers to see Mercury?

Back

Its location in the solar system

Front

If you are 10 years old in Earth years, how long have you lived in Mercury years?

Back

40 years

Front

How do days on Mercury compare to days on Earth?

Back

Days on Mercury are much longer.

Front

Which of the following was a major discovery of the Mariner 10 probe?
Options:
It photographed ice caps on Mars.
It was the first probe to land on the surface of Venus.
It provided the first detailed photographs of Mercury.
It was the first probe to land and take soil samples on Mars.

Back

It provided the first detailed photographs of Mercury.

Front

What's the best description of Mercury's core? Options: metallic, rocky, frozen, Gaseous

Back

metallic

Front

Why is Mercury both cold and hot?

Back

It has no atmosphere.

Front

Is Venus the hottest planet in our solar system?

Back

True

Front

Venus's atmosphere is made primarily of

Back

Carbon dioxide