Pluto: The Dwarf Planet Quiz

What led to Pluto being reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006?

• It was found to be made mostly of ice.

• Its size was too small compared to other planets.

• It did not clear its orbit of other objects.

• It was discovered to have no atmosphere.

Which of the following is true about Pluto's atmosphere?

• It has a thick layer of carbon dioxide.

• It is composed mainly of hydrogen.

• It is similar to Earth's atmosphere.

• It contains nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide.

How long does it take Pluto to complete one orbit around the Sun?

• 248 years

• 365 days

• 500 years

• 100 years

What is unique about Pluto's largest moon, Charon?

• It is larger than Pluto.

• It shares an orbit with Pluto.

• It is made entirely of ice.

• It has its own atmosphere.

Who was responsible for discovering Pluto in 1930?

• Galileo Galilei

• Isaac Newton

• Clyde Tombaugh

• Percival Lowell

What is the Kuiper Belt primarily composed of?

• Icy material

• Gaseous clouds

• Rock and metal

• Molten lava

Which of the following is NOT a criterion for a celestial body to be classified as a planet?

• It must have a moon.

• It must orbit the Sun.

• It must be spherical in shape.

• It must clear its orbit of other debris.

What was the primary goal of the New Horizons mission?

• To establish a human colony on Pluto

• To discover new planets

• To study Pluto's atmosphere and surface

• To land on Pluto

What surprising feature was discovered on Pluto's surface by the New Horizons mission?

• Lava flows

• Ice volcanoes

• Sand dunes

• Large craters

When did the New Horizons spacecraft reach Pluto?

• 2010

• 2020

• 2006

• 2015