Outer Solar System

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes an asteroid?

• A chunk of rock in space that orbits the sun

• A planet made of ice and gases

• A chunk of rock, dust, and ice with a stretched-out orbit

• A star that shines brightly

Open Ended

Which planets in our solar system are classified as gas giants and why are they called outer planets?

Open Ended

Compare the surfaces (outer layer) of inner planets and outer planets based on the information/diagram provided.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about the atmospheres of outer planets is correct?

• They are made of thick layers of gas

• They are made of solid rock

• They are thin and barely visible

• They have no atmosphere

Dropdown

​

Select answer

are known as gas giants because​

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are larger than​

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and they have a​

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atmosphere of gas.

Open Ended

How is Jupiter's rotation different from Earth's rotation?

Multiple Choice

What did Galileo see when he looked at Saturn through his telescope?

• A planet with brilliant rings

• A planet with moons

• A planet with clouds

• A planet with a red spot

Open Ended

What are two similarities and two differences between Saturn and Jupiter?

Multiple Choice

Which materials make up the particles in Saturn's rings?

• Ice, dust, and rock

• Gas and liquid

• Metal and sand

• Water and fire

Multiple Select

Which of the following are characteristics of the outer planets?

• They are much larger than the inner planets

• They have many moons

• They have rings

• They are closer to the sun than the inner planets

• They have thick atmospheres

Open Ended

How do you think a planet's temperature relates to its distance from the sun?

Open Ended

If someone states that the planets get bigger and bigger the farther the planet is from the sun, how would you respond?

Multiple Choice

Which planet is the farthest from the sun and is the smallest of the outer planets?

• Neptune

• Jupiter

• Saturn

• Uranus

Multiple Choice

What causes Uranus and Neptune to appear blue in color?

• Their atmospheres contain clouds of liquid methane, which absorbs red light and reflects blue light

• Its surface is covered in blue ice

• It is farther from the sun

• It has blue rings

Open Ended

In what ways are Uranus and Neptune similar?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about asteroids and comets is correct?

• Asteroids and comets are fragments left over from the formation of the solar system.

• Asteroids are made of ice and dust.

• Comets orbit only the asteroid belt.

• Asteroids are always smaller than meteoroids.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes an asteroid?

• A chunk of rock in space that orbits the sun

• A chunk of rock, dust, and ice with a stretched-out orbit around the sun

• The four large planets farthest from the sun

• A star that emits light

Open Ended

Sometimes, comets have trails. Other times, they do not. What might cause a comet's trail to appear and disappear?

Match

Match the object in the solar system to its correct description.

• huge ball of very hot matter that gives off energy

• large body of matter that travels around the sun

• satellite made of rock and ice that orbits a planet

• chunk of rock that orbits the sun in a belt between Mars and Jupiter

• chunk of ice and rock that has an elliptical orbit around the sun

sun

planet

moon

asteroid

comet

• sun

• planet

• moon

• asteroid

• comet

Hotspot

Click on the correct box for each category for the Inner and Outer Planets. (you are allowed to click both if needed)

Match

Match the following

• Rotates on its tilted axis like a rolling ball

• This is the eighth and farthest planet from the sun in the solar system. 

• This planet is found in the habitable zone.

• Largest planet in the solar system and is now for its high pressure gas storm, The Great Red spot. 

Uranus

Neptune

Earth

Jupiter

• Uranus

• Neptune

• Earth

• Jupiter