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Planetary Trivia

August 24 celebrates Pluto demotion day. Pluto was recognized as a planet since it’s discovery in 1930 until its downgraded status as a dwarf planet in 2006. This decision, to demote Pluto, I fully agree with, by the way!

In honor of Pluto’s demotion, I present this trivia challenge about the eight legitimate planets and moons in our solar system.

Questions

  1. 1. What is the smallest planet in the solar system?
  2. 2. What is the largest moon in the solar system and which planet does it orbit?
  3. 3. Which is larger, the largest moon in the solar system or smallest planet?
  4. 4. What are the major four moons of Jupiter?
  5. 5. Not counting the earth, how many planets can be seen without a telescope?
  6. 6. How many planets have no moons?
  7. 7. How many planets have rings?
  8. 8. Which planet spins in the opposite direction compared to the earth?
  9. 9. Besides Pluto, name four other dwarf planets?
  10. 10. Which planet rotates on its side?
  11. 11. When is the next total solar eclipse visible in the United States?
  12. 12. How many Apollo missions landed on the moon?
  13. 13. What is the name for the hypothetical Neptune-sized planet far beyond the orbit of Pluto?
  14. 14. Why is Mars red?
  15. 15. Which is the hottest planet?
  16. 16. Which is the coldest planet?
  17. 17. Which moon is volcanically active?
  18. 18. Scientists believe which planet or moon is the best candidate to have life, besides earth?
  19. 19. Which planet has the highest mountain?
  20. 20. Which planet has the most confirmed moons and how many does it have?
 
pluto
Image of Pluto source: Wikipedia

Answers

  1. 1. Mercury
  2. 2. Ganymede, which orbits Jupiter
  3. 3. Largest moon
  4. 4. Europa, Ganymede, Io, and Callisto
  5. 5. Five – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
  6. 6. Two -- Mercury and Venus
  7. 7. Four: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune
  8. 8. Venus
  9. 9. Ceres, Eris, Makemake, Haumea
  10. 10. Uranus
  11. 11. April 8, 2024
  12. 12. Six
  13. 13. Planet X or Planet 9
  14. 14. High iron content
  15. 15. Venus
  16. 16. Uranus.
  17. 17. Io (of Jupiter)
  18. 18. Europe, of Jupiter, which likely has liquid water under the surface.
  19. 19. Mars. The highest mountain is Olympus Mons, which is the size of Arizona
  20. 20. Tie between Jupiter and Saturn at 53. However, Saturn has 29 additional provisional moons, while Jupiter has 26.

Written by: Michael Shackleford