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Do you love space? Ready to take the hardest space quiz questions and answers? Most people doubt there is life outside earth; others believe there may be civilizations on other planets outside or within our galaxy. With developments being made each day regarding space travel, what do you think you know about space? Test yourself by taking this super hard test and proving that you should be on the next ship going outside earth. Get ready to think real hard! Make sure to answer all the questions. All the very best!
Hardest Space Questions and Answers
1.
Which planet has the largest rings in our solar system?
A.
Saturn
B.
Venus
C.
Jupiter
D.
Mars
Correct Answer
A. Saturn
Explanation Saturn is known for its extensive and complex ring system, which is the largest in the solar system. These rings are made up of countless small particles of ice and rock, ranging in size from tiny dust grains to objects as large as mountains. The rings extend thousands of kilometers from the planet but are relatively thin, only about 10 meters thick in most places. Saturn's rings are divided into seven main groups named alphabetically in the order they were discovered.
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2.
Which exoplanet was discovered in 2016?
A.
Mars
B.
Planet Y
C.
Planet X
D.
Proxima Centauri b
Correct Answer
D. Proxima Centauri b
Explanation In 2016, the exoplanet Proxima Centauri b was discovered orbiting Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the Sun. This Earth-sized planet is located in the star's habitable zone, where liquid water could potentially exist. Its proximity to Earth and its location in the habitable zone make it a key target for studies on the potential for extraterrestrial life. The planet was detected using the radial velocity method, which measures the star's wobble caused by the planet's gravitational pull.
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3.
What planet is the furthest from Neptune?
A.
Saturn
B.
Mercury
C.
Mars
D.
Uranus
Correct Answer
B. Mercury
Explanation Mercury is the planet that is furthest from Neptune. In the solar system, the planets are arranged in the following order from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Since Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun and Mercury is the first, they are at opposite ends of the planetary lineup, making Mercury the furthest from Neptune.
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4.
Which of the following phenomena is responsible for the extreme tilt of Uranus’ axis, causing it to rotate on its side compared to most other planets in the solar system?
A.
A giant impact with an Earth-sized object during its formation.
B.
Gravitational interactions with Neptune over millions of years.
C.
A strong magnetic field that altered its rotational axis.
D.
Tidal forces from its moons pulling it off balance.
Correct Answer
A. A giant impact with an Earth-sized object during its formation.
Explanation Uranus’ extreme axial tilt, which causes it to rotate on its side, is believed to be the result of a massive collision with an Earth-sized object early in its formation. This impact likely knocked the planet over, giving it a tilt of about 98 degrees. As a result, Uranus experiences extreme seasonal variations, with each pole spending about 42 years in continuous sunlight or darkness as it orbits the Sun.
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5.
Which of the following is not a planet in our solar system?
A.
Venus
B.
Neptune
C.
Jupiter
D.
Io
Correct Answer
D. Io
Explanation Io is one of the moons of Jupiter and not a planet. Venus and Neptune are planets in our solar system. Pluto was once considered the ninth planet but was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union in 2006. Hence, Io is the correct answer as it is not a planet.
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6.
What is the hottest planet in the solar system?
A.
Mercury
B.
Venus
C.
Mars
D.
Jupiter
Correct Answer
B. Venus
Explanation Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system. Despite not being the closest to the Sun (that's Mercury), Venus has a thick atmosphere made mostly of carbon dioxide, which traps heat from the Sun. This phenomenon creates a runaway greenhouse effect, making Venus hotter than Mercury, which lacks a substantial atmosphere to retain heat. Surface temperatures on Venus can reach up to 470 degrees Celsius (880 degrees Fahrenheit), making it the hottest planet in our solar system, hotter even than Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter.
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7.
Which planet is also called "The Diamond Planet"?
A.
Kepler-10b
B.
Gliese 436 b
C.
55 Cancri e
D.
HD 219134 b
Correct Answer
C. 55 Cancri e
Explanation 55 Cancri e is often called "The Diamond Planet." This nickname comes from scientists' belief that the planet might have a carbon-rich composition. Under high pressure, carbon can form diamonds, leading to the idea that 55 Cancri e could have a surface or interior with a significant amount of diamond. This exoplanet is located about 41 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Cancer. Its unique composition and proximity to its star make it an interesting subject for study, distinguishing it from other planets like Kepler-10b, Gliese 436 b, and HD 219134 b.
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8.
Which planet in our solar system does not have a moon?
A.
Mars
B.
Venus
C.
Jupiter
D.
Earth
Correct Answer
B. Venus
Explanation Venus is one of the two planets in our solar system that does not have any moons, the other being Mercury. Unlike other planets that have one or more natural satellites, Venus and Mercury lack such companions. Scientists believe that the reasons might include their proximity to the Sun, which creates strong gravitational forces that make it difficult for these planets to capture and retain moons.
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9.
How many moons does Saturn have?
A.
40
B.
85
C.
146
D.
22
Correct Answer
C. 146
Explanation Saturn has 146 known moons, making it the planet with the most moons in our solar system. These moons vary greatly in size and characteristics, ranging from small moonlets only a few kilometers across to large moons like Titan, which is larger than the planet Mercury. Saturn's moons are diverse and include icy bodies, rocky satellites, and even moons with substantial atmospheres. The large number of moons contributes to the complex and fascinating nature of the Saturnian system.
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10.
How many galaxies have been recorded in the observable universe?
A.
123455444 galaxies
B.
445545353535 galaxies
C.
38999999999999 galaxies
D.
2,000,000,000,000 galaxies
Correct Answer
D. 2,000,000,000,000 galaxies
Explanation Astronomers estimate that there are approximately 2 trillion (2,000,000,000,000) galaxies in the observable universe. This estimate comes from observations made by telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope, which have provided deep field images showing a vast number of galaxies. Each galaxy can contain millions or even billions of stars, along with planetary systems. This immense number highlights the vastness of the universe and the potential for countless astronomical discoveries.
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11.
Which planet is known as the "Red Planet"?
A.
Jupiter
B.
Mars
C.
Saturn
D.
Neptune
Correct Answer
B. Mars
Explanation Mars is commonly referred to as the "Red Planet" due to its reddish appearance, which is caused by iron oxide, or rust, on its surface. This distinctive color can be seen even with the naked eye from Earth. Mars has been a focus of scientific exploration because of its potential to have once supported life. It has the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, and a canyon system called Valles Marineris. The planet's thin atmosphere, composed mostly of carbon dioxide, and its surface conditions make it a challenging environment for human habitation.
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12.
What is the smallest planet in our solar system?
A.
Earth
B.
Mars
C.
Mercury
D.
Venus
Correct Answer
C. Mercury
Explanation Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system. It has a diameter of about 4,880 kilometers, which is roughly one-third the size of Earth. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and has a very thin atmosphere, leading to extreme temperature variations between day and night. Despite its small size, Mercury has a large iron core, which makes up a significant portion of its mass. Its surface is covered with craters, similar to our Moon, due to numerous impacts from asteroids and comets.
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