Solar System

All objects in our solar system revolve around which of the following?

• faraway stars

• gas giants

• the moon

• the sun

What is a planet?

• a ball of hot, glowing GAS

• a ball of ROCK and frozen GAS

• A large, round body that revolves around a star in a clear orbit

• a region of space where the

  temperature range allows lifeto thrive

During a visit to an observatory,Cecilia observed the moon,Venus, the sun, and the star Capella. Which of these objects is outside of our solar system?

• Capella

• the moon

• the sun

• Venus

Identify the position of the planets in relation to the sun.What is the order in distance from the sun?

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,Neptune

• Venus, Earth, Mercury, Mars,Neptune, Uranus, Saturn,Jupiter

• Earth, Saturn, Venus, Mars,Jupiter, Neptune, Mercury,Uranus

• Jupiter, Saturn, Earth, Venus,Mars, Mercury, Neptune,Uranus

Which of these characteristics applies ONLY to inner planets?

• very cold temperatures

• gases surrounding a solid core

• largest planets in the solar system

• revolve around the sun more quickly

Daniel wants to make a model of an inner planet. Which characteristic should the model have?

• made of gas

• rocky surface

• made of liquid

• surrounded by rings

A student sees a small object streak across the night sky. It trails a bright stream of light behind it. Which of the solar system’s objects does the student see?

• moon

• comet

• inner planet

• outer planet

Cleo is studying a planet that is made up mostly of gases. It does not have a solid surface. The planet has many moons. Which planet could Cleo be studying?

• Mars

• Jupiter

• Venus

• Mercury

Dominic is studying the solar system, and he knows the sun is a star. Why is the sun considered the center of the solar system?

• It is closer to Earth than other stars.

• The sun produces light and heat.

• The sun is the largest object seen from Earth.

• Everything in the solar system revolves around the sun.

Venus and Mars are the two planets closest to Earth. Which statement about Venus and Mars is true?

• Their orbits are the same size.

• They have hard, rocky surfaces.

• They have surfaces covered with water.

• They have the same number of moons.