Astronomy Quiz

What was the main idea proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus in 1543?

• The Earth is the center of the Universe

• The Sun is the center of the Universe

• The Moon revolves around the Earth

• Stars are affixed to crystal spheres

Which astronomer realized that planets move around the Sun in ellipses?

• Tycho Brahe

• Johannes Kepler

• Nicolaus Copernicus

• Aristotle

What did the ancient Greeks believe about the motion of the Moon, Sun, and stars?

• They were stationary

• They moved in straight lines

• They were affixed to crystal spheres

• They revolved around the Sun

How many times wider is Jupiter compared to Earth?

• 5 times

• 11 times

• 20 times

• 15 times

Which of the following planets does not have moons?

• Mars

• Jupiter

• Mercury

• Saturn

What is the main reason Pluto's planetary status is debated?

• It is too far from the Sun

• It has no moons

• Defining "planet" is complex and has exceptions

• It is larger than Earth

What is the general shape of the orbits of the planets in our solar system?

• A perfect circle

• A relatively flat disk

• A spiral

• A random scatter

Which planets are considered the inner planets of our solar system?

• Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

• Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

• Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn

• Venus, Earth, Jupiter, Neptune

What is the Kuiper Belt primarily composed of?

• Rocky asteroids

• Gaseous planets

• Icy rock balls

• Metal fragments

What event is suggested to have triggered the formation of our solar system?

• A nearby star forming

• A shockwave from an exploding star

• A collision with a large asteroid

• A sudden increase in temperature