Planets in the Solar System Quiz

Study Notes

Mercury

Closest planet to the Sun.
Diameter of approximately 4,880 kilometers (3,032 miles).
Rocky surface characterized by heavy cratering and lacking a significant atmosphere.
Experiences extreme temperature variations: -173°C (-280°F) at night to 427°C (800°F) during the day.
Has a highly elliptical orbit, completing one revolution around the Sun in about 88 Earth days.
No natural moons.

Venus

Second planet from the Sun.
Diameter of about 12,104 kilometers (7,521 miles).
Rocky surface with a thick, toxic atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds.
Surface temperatures average around 467°C (872°F) due to a runaway greenhouse effect.
Takes about 225 Earth days to orbit the Sun and rotates slowly in the opposite direction compared to most planets.
No natural moons.

Earth

Third planet from the Sun.
Diameter approximately 12,742 kilometers (7,918 miles).
Diverse surface with 71% covered by liquid water and a breathable atmosphere suitable for life.
Average surface temperature around 15°C (59°F).
Completes one orbit around the Sun in about 365.25 days.
Has one natural satellite, the Moon.

Mars

Fourth planet from the Sun.
Diameter of about 6,779 kilometers (4,212 miles).
Rocky surface featuring the solar system's largest volcano (Olympus Mons) and deepest canyon (Valles Marineris).
Contains polar ice caps made of water and carbon dioxide.
Average temperatures around -80°C (-62°F), with extremes ranging from -125°C (-195°F) at the poles to 20°C (68°F) at the equator.
Orbits the Sun in about 687 Earth days.
Has two small moons: Phobos and Deimos.

Jupiter

Fifth planet from the Sun.
Diameter approximately 139,820 kilometers (86,881 miles).
A gas giant with an atmosphere primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.
Notable for the Great Red Spot, a massive storm.
Average cloud-top temperature around -145°C (-234°F).
Completes an orbit around the Sun in roughly 12 Earth years.
At least 79 known moons, including the four largest, the Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.

Saturn

Sixth planet from the Sun.
Diameter around 116,460 kilometers (72,367 miles).
A gas giant known for its prominent ring system made of ice and rock particles.
Average cloud-top temperature around -178°C (-288°F).
Orbits the Sun in about 29.5 Earth years.
At least 83 known moons, including Titan, the second-largest moon in the solar system.

Uranus

Seventh planet from the Sun.
Diameter approximately 50,724 kilometers (31,518 miles).
An ice giant with a thick atmosphere composed of hydrogen, helium, and methane.
Uniquely tilted, rotating almost on its side.
Average cloud-top temperature around -197°C (-322°F).
Completes an orbit around the Sun in about 84 Earth years.
At least 27 known moons, including Titania, Oberon, Umbriel, Ariel, and Miranda.

Neptune

Eighth planet from the Sun.
Diameter about 49,244 kilometers (30,598 miles).
An ice giant with a deep blue color due to methane in its atmosphere.
Home to the strongest winds in the solar system.
Average cloud-top temperature around -214°C (-353°F).
Takes about 165 Earth years to orbit the Sun.
At least 14 known moons, including Triton, which features geysers of nitrogen gas.

Dwarf Planets

Pluto: Formerly classified as the ninth planet; now considered a dwarf planet with a highly elliptical orbit and five known moons.
Eris: Another dwarf planet found in the scattered disk; similar in size to Pluto and has one known moon, Dysnomia.
Haumea and Makemake: Additional dwarf planets located in the Kuiper Belt, each with distinct characteristics and known moons.

Description

Test your knowledge about the planets in our solar system, including their positions, diameters, and unique characteristics. This quiz covers Mercury and Venus, highlighting their surfaces, temperatures, orbits, and other interesting facts. See how well you know these celestial bodies!