Astronomy Trivia Questions for Students
150 trivia questions with answers, students. Multiple-choice trivia with answers, sorted by topic and level. Reveal the answers below, pick one at random, or present them full-screen.
- 1.
Why does Earth have the strongest magnetic field among the terrestrial worlds?
- AIt is the most volcanically active world.
- BIt rotates much faster than any other terrestrial world.
- CIt is by far the largest terrestrial world.
- DIt is the only one that has both a partially molten metallic core and reasonably rapid rotation.
Answer: It is the only one that has both a partially molten metallic core and reasonably rapid rotation. - 2.
Which of the following countries has sent landers to Venus?
- AA and B
- BThe U.S.
- CThe U.S.S.R.
- DFrance
Answer: The U.S.S.R. - 3.
One astronomical unit (AU) is equal to approximately ...
- A150 million km
- B190 million km
- C130 million km
- D170 million km
Answer: 150 million km - 4.
What Mars mission will be landing on May 25 2008 and will dig a trench into (hopefully) ice-rich soil?
- AMars Science Laboratory
- BExoMars
- CPhoenix Mars Lander
- DMars Exploration Rovers
Answer: Phoenix Mars Lander - 5.
Why do jovian planets bulge around the equator that is have a "squashed" appearance?
- ATheir internal heat sources exert a pressure against the sides of the planets.
- BTheir rapid rotation flings the mass near the equator outward.
- CTheir large systems of moons and rings gravitationally attract the mass around the equator more.
- DThey are much more massive than the terrestrial planets.
Answer: Their rapid rotation flings the mass near the equator outward. - 6.
Planet X orbits its sun once every 100 Earth days and rotates in the prograde direction around its axis with a sidereal day of 100 Earth days. How long is a solar day on Planet X?
- AAbout 10 earth days
- BAbout 200 earth days
- CThere is no solar day Planet X is tidally locked
- DAbout 100 earth days
Answer: There is no solar day Planet X is tidally locked - 7.
Besides large astronomical objects astrophysicists are also interested in small particles from space. Which one of these particles has the weakest interactions with other particles?
- Aν Neutrinos
- BAntiparticles
- Cµ Muons
- Dπ Pions
Answer: ν Neutrinos - 8.
What is the so-called bolometric luminosity in astronomy?
- AThe luminosity integrated over horizontally wavelengths.
- BThe luminosity integrated over vertically polarized wavelengths.
- CThe luminosity integrated over visible wavelengths.
- DThe luminosity integrated over all wavelengths.
Answer: The luminosity integrated over all wavelengths. - 9.
How do we know how old the Earth is?
- AFrom the cratering history of Earth's surface.
- BFrom fossils of ancient life.
- CFrom the layering of materials within the Earth.
- DFrom radioactive dating of rocks and meteorites.
Answer: From radioactive dating of rocks and meteorites. - 10.
How did Eratosthenes estimate the size of the Earth in 240 B.C.?
- ABy sending fleets of ships around the Earth.
- BBy measuring the maximum altitude of the Sun in two cities at different latitudes at the same time on the same day.
- CBy measuring the size of Earth's shadow on the Moon during a lunar eclipse.
- DBy finding a place on Earth where the Sun passes directly overhead.
Answer: By measuring the maximum altitude of the Sun in two cities at different latitudes at the same time on the same day. - 11.
Venus shows evidence of which of the following surface processes?
- AErosion
- BImpacts
- CVolcanism
- DA B and C
Answer: A B and C - 12.
Which of the following is not one of nor follows directly from Kepler's laws?
- AAs a planet moves around its orbit it sweeps out equal areas in equal times.
- BA planet travels faster when it is nearer to the Sun and slower when it is farther from the Sun.
- CThe force of attraction between any two objects decreases with the square of the distance between their centers.
- DThe orbit of each planet about the Sun is an ellipse with the Sun at one focus.
Answer: The force of attraction between any two objects decreases with the square of the distance between their centers. - 13.
Suppose you live on the Moon. How long is a day (i.e. from sunrise to sunrise)?
- A24 hours
- Ba year
- Cabout 18 years
- D29 Earth days
Answer: 29 Earth days - 14.
The sky is blue because
- Athe Sun mainly emits blue light.
- Bmolecules scatter red light more effectively than blue light.
- Cmolecules scatter blue light more effectively than red light.
- Dthe atmosphere absorbs mostly blue light.
Answer: molecules scatter blue light more effectively than red light. - 15.
Why are Cepheid stars relevant for astronomers?
- ATo measure interstellar mass.
- BTo measure galactic energy-density.
- CTo measure interstellar density.
- DTo measure galactic distances.
Answer: To measure galactic distances. - 16.
We were first able to accurately measure the diameter of Pluto from:
- Aradar observations made by the Arecibo telescope
- BHubble Space Telescope images that resolved Pluto's disk
- Ca New Horizons flyby in the 1990s
- Dbrightness measurements made during mutual eclipses of Pluto and Charon
Answer: brightness measurements made during mutual eclipses of Pluto and Charon - 17.
What defines the habitable zone around a star?
- Athe region around a star where the ultraviolet radiation does not destroy organisms on a planetary surface
- Bthe region around a star where liquid water can potentially exist on planetary surfaces
- Cthe region around a star where humans can survive
- Dthe region around a star where life exists
Answer: the region around a star where liquid water can potentially exist on planetary surfaces - 18.
By locating the north celestial pole (NCP) in the sky how can you determine your latitude?
- AThe azimuth of the NCP is the same as your latitude.
- BThe azimuth of the NCP is the angular distance from the North Pole.
- CThe altitude of the NCP is your angular distance from the North Pole.
- DThe altitude of the NCP is the same as your latitude.
Answer: The altitude of the NCP is the same as your latitude. - 19.
Which mechanism can NOT explain Mercury's lack of a permanent atmosphere?
- AImpact Heating
- BVolcanic Heating
- CThermal Escape
- DAblation by the solar wind
Answer: Volcanic Heating - 20.
Where is the crater from the impact that is believed to be responsible for the mass extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago?
- AMeteor Crater in Arizona.
- BQuebec Canada.
- CChicxulub Crater Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
- DTunguska Siberia.
Answer: Chicxulub Crater Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. - 21.
If you know both the actual brightness of an object and its apparent brightness from your location then with no other information you can estimate:
- AIts distance from you
- BIts composition
- CIts size
- DIts speed relative to you
Answer: Its distance from you - 22.
You are pushing a truck along a road. Would it be easier to accelerate this truck on Mars? Why? (Assume there is no friction)
- AIt would be harder since the truck is heavier on Mars.
- BIt would be harder since the truck is lighter on Mars.
- CIt would be easier since the truck is lighter on Mars.
- DIt would be the same no matter where you are.
Answer: It would be the same no matter where you are. - 23.
The so-called "bigfoot" on Mars was actually a rock that was about 5 cm tall. It had an angular size of about 0.5 degrees (~30 pixels). How far away was this rock from the rover?
- AAbout 10 feet
- BAbout 6 meters
- CAbout 10 meters
- DAbout 6 feet
Answer: About 6 meters - 24.
All of the following have been cited as evidence for the Giant Impact Hypothesis except:
- AThe Moon was once entirely molten.
- BMost rocks on the Moon's surface are older than those on the Earth's surface.
- CThe relative size of the Moon to the size of Earth is large compared to most planets and their moon.
- DThe Moon has a much smaller iron core than the Earth even considering its size.
Answer: Most rocks on the Moon's surface are older than those on the Earth's surface. - 25.
Which of the following was not cited as evidence for life in the martian meteorite ALH84001?
- AMagnetite grains similar to those formed by bacteria on Earth
- BAmino acids with a preferred orientation or "chirality"
- CComplex organic molecules specifically PAHs
- DCarbonate minerals indicating a thicker warmer Martian atmosphere
Answer: Amino acids with a preferred orientation or "chirality" - 26.
Which of the following is/are common feature(s) of all fresh (i.e. not eroded) impact craters formed on solid surfaces:
- Acentral peaks
- BA and B only
- Craised rims
- Dejecta
Answer: A and B only - 27.
The Milky Way is part of a giant supercluster with a diameter of 160 Mpc. What is the name of this supercluster?
- ASculptor
- BBoötes
- CVirgo
- DLaniakea
Answer: Laniakea - 28.
You observe the visible spectrum of a star viewed through a cloud of cool hydrogen gas.
- AYou see only emission lines characteristic of hydrogen.
- BYou see the star's blackbody spectrum with absorption lines due to hydrogen.
- CYou see only the star's blackbody spectrum.
- DYou see only emission lines characteristic of the star's composition.
Answer: You see the star's blackbody spectrum with absorption lines due to hydrogen. - 29.
Which of the following most likely explains why Venus does not have a strong magnetic field?
- AIt has too thick an atmosphere.
- BIts rotation is too slow.
- CIt is too large.
- DIt does not have a metallic core.
Answer: Its rotation is too slow. - 30.
Why are there no impact craters on the surface of Io?
- AIt is too small to have been hit during the Late Heavy Bombardment
- BIo did have impact craters but they have all been buried in lava flows.
- CJupiter's strong gravity attracted the planetesimals more strongly than Io and thus none landed on its surface.
- DAny craters that existed have been eroded through the strong winds on Io's surface.
Answer: Io did have impact craters but they have all been buried in lava flows. - 31.
Pluto's extremely cold (~40 K) surface is composed of:
- Amainly water ice which always remains frozen
- Broughly half ices and half rocky materials
- Cnitrogen methane and carbon monoxide ices which always remain frozen
- Dnitrogen methane and carbon monoxide ices which sublimate into an atmosphere near perihelion
Answer: nitrogen methane and carbon monoxide ices which sublimate into an atmosphere near perihelion - 32.
The Large Magellanic Cloud is ...
- Athe outer arm of the Milky Way named after Magellan.
- Ba bright star cluster discovered by Magellan.
- Cthe closest planetary nebula to the Earth.
- Da dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way.
Answer: a dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way. - 33.
Life on Earth originated from
- AWe don't know for sure.
- Bthe Earth's oceans.
- Ccomets.
- Daliens (panspermia).
Answer: We don't know for sure. - 34.
Approximately how long does it take Pluto to orbit the Sun once?
- A150 years
- B200 years
- C250 years
- D300 years
Answer: 250 years - 35.
Which one of these constellations is not located along the Milky Way in the sky?
- AScorpius
- BLeo
- CPerseus
- DCygnus
Answer: Leo - 36.
Which property of our solar system does a formation theory NOT need to explain?
- Athe presence of life on Earth
- Bpatterns of motion
- Cthe presence of asteroids and comets
- Dthe measured ages of meteorites
Answer: the presence of life on Earth - 37.
Why are the season's in Mars' southern hemisphere so extreme?
- Abecause Mars has a more eccentric orbit than the Earth
- Bbecause Mars' axis is more tilted than the Earth's
- Cbecause Mars is farther from the sun than the Earth
- Dbecause Mars has more carbon dioxide in its atmosphere than the Earth
Answer: because Mars has a more eccentric orbit than the Earth - 38.
The International Space Station (ISS) circles the Earth approximately 410 km above the ground. Find the best estimate for the orbital speed of the ISS:
- A32000 km/h
- B21000 km/h
- C19000 km/h
- D28000 km/h
Answer: 28000 km/h - 39.
Mars has an atmosphere that is almost entirely carbon dioxide.Why isn't there a strong greenhouse effect keeping the planet warm?
- Athe greenhouse effect requires an ozone layer which Mars does not have
- BMars does not have enough internal heat to drive the greenhouse effect
- Cthe atmosphere on Mars is too thin to trap a significant amount of heat
- DThere actually is a strong greenhouse effect and Mars would be 35oC colder than it is now without it.
Answer: the atmosphere on Mars is too thin to trap a significant amount of heat - 40.
When will the next major impact occur on Earth?
- AHundreds of millennia in the future.
- BCould be any time. The probability of impact is the same next year as it is for any later year.
- CHundreds of millennia after the last major impact.
- DMajor impacts can no longer occur since the period of heavy bombardment is over.
Answer: Could be any time. The probability of impact is the same next year as it is for any later year. - 41.
The lithosphere of a planet is the layer that consists of
- Amaterial between the crust and the mantle.
- Bthe lava that comes out of volcanoes.
- Cthe rigid rocky material of the crust and uppermost portion of the mantle.
- Dthe softer rocky material of the mantle.
Answer: the rigid rocky material of the crust and uppermost portion of the mantle. - 42.
Approximately how old is the surface of Venus?
- A750 million years.
- B2 billion years.
- C3 billion years.
- D4.5 billion years.
Answer: 750 million years. - 43.
The lunar maria are:
- Aancient heavily cratered highlands
- Bdark lavas inside volcanic calderas
- Cdark lavas filling older impact basins
- Dthe bright regions on the Moon
Answer: dark lavas filling older impact basins - 44.
What are the conditions necessary for a terrestrial planet to have a strong magnetic field?
- Aboth a molten metallic core and reasonably fast rotation
- Bfast rotation only
- Ca rocky mantle only
- Da molten metallic core only
Answer: both a molten metallic core and reasonably fast rotation - 45.
The four big moons of Jupiter are Callisto Europa Ganymede and Io. Which one of them has the smallest distance to Jupiter?
- AGanymede
- BIo
- CCallisto
- DEuropa
Answer: Io - 46.
The constellation ... is a bright W-shaped constellation in the northern sky.
- ACepheus
- BCassiopeia
- CCygnus
- DCentaurus
Answer: Cassiopeia - 47.
Most rocks on the Moon's surface are older than those on the Earth's surface. The best evidence for this is:
- AThe Moon's surface has more impact craters than the Earth's surface.
- BRadioactive dating of lunar samples shows that they are older.
- CThe Moon's surface is more heavily eroded than the Earth's surface.
- DLunar rocks are composed of fragments pulverized by many impacts.
Answer: Radioactive dating of lunar samples shows that they are older. - 48.
Most people use C°(degree Celsius) to measure everyday temperatures. Astronomers prefer to use K (Kelvin) to measure temperatures. Approximately how many Kelvin are 25 C°?
- A250 Kelvin
- B200 Kelvin
- C300 Kelvin
- D350 Kelvin
Answer: 300 Kelvin - 49.
What is not true of Jupiter's magnetic field?
- Ait switches polarity every 11 years
- Bit traps charged particles from Io's volcanoes in a "plasma torus" around the planet
- Cit causes spectacular auroral displays at Jupiter's north and south poles
- Dit is about 20000 times stronger than Earth's magnetic field
Answer: it switches polarity every 11 years - 50.
Say the pupil of your eye has a diameter of 5 mm and you have a telescope with an aperture of 50 cm. How much more light can the telescope gather than your eye?
- A1000 times more
- B100 times more
- C10 times more
- D10000 times more
Answer: 10000 times more
How to use these trivia questions
- Warm-up. Open a lesson or meeting with 3–5 questions — enough to wake the room, short enough to keep the agenda.
- Review game. Pick 10 questions on the topic you just taught and play them in teams; discuss every wrong answer.
- Quiz night. Mix two or three topics, read each question twice, and give 20 seconds before revealing the answer.
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