Cosmic Curiosities: Space Quiz for Young Explorers

Blast off into quick, fun questions about planets, stars, and space mysteries—perfect for curious kids 12+. Ready to explore the universe?

  1. Which planet has the longest day (rotation period) compared to its year?
    1. Earth
    2. Mercury
    3. Venus
    4. Jupiter
  2. Which object did humans first visit and return samples from?
    1. Moon
    2. Mars
    3. Asteroid
    4. Comet
  3. What type of galaxy is the Milky Way classified as?
    1. Ring
    2. Elliptical
    3. Irregular
    4. Barred spiral
  4. Which force prevents a star from collapsing under its own gravity during its main life?
    1. Dark energy
    2. Magnetism
    3. Coriolis force
    4. Radiation pressure
  5. Which planet’s name comes from the Roman god of war?
    1. Mars
    2. Jupiter
    3. Saturn
    4. Venus
  6. What do we call a chunk of rock that survives passage through Earth’s atmosphere and lands?
    1. Meteorite
    2. Comet
    3. Meteoroid
    4. Bolide
  7. Which telescope provided the first deep infrared view of the early universe in recent years?
    1. Spitzer
    2. Hubble
    3. JWST
    4. Kepler

Answers and explanations

  1. Question: Which planet has the longest day (rotation period) compared to its year?
    Answer: Venus
    Explanation: Venus rotates very slowly and in the opposite direction, so one rotation takes longer than one orbit around the Sun. Fun fact: a Venusian day is longer than its year!
  2. Question: Which object did humans first visit and return samples from?
    Answer: Moon
    Explanation: Apollo missions brought lunar rocks back to Earth; those were the first extraterrestrial samples returned by humans. Fun fact: Apollo 11 returned with 21.5 kg of moon rocks in total.
  3. Question: What type of galaxy is the Milky Way classified as?
    Answer: Barred spiral
    Explanation: The Milky Way has a central bar with spiral arms extending outward. Fun fact: our Solar System lies in one of those spiral arms called the Orion Arm.
  4. Question: Which force prevents a star from collapsing under its own gravity during its main life?
    Answer: Radiation pressure
    Explanation: Fusion in the core produces energy that creates outward radiation pressure balancing gravity. Fun fact: when fusion slows, gravity wins and the star evolves.
  5. Question: Which planet’s name comes from the Roman god of war?
    Answer: Mars
    Explanation: Mars was named after the Roman god of war because of its red, bloodlike color seen by ancient astronomers. Fun fact: many cultures associated Mars with war or fire.
  6. Question: What do we call a chunk of rock that survives passage through Earth’s atmosphere and lands?
    Answer: Meteorite
    Explanation: A meteoroid becomes a meteor when burning in the atmosphere and a meteorite if it reaches the ground. Fun fact: most meteorites come from asteroids.
  7. Question: Which telescope provided the first deep infrared view of the early universe in recent years?
    Answer: JWST
    Explanation: The James Webb Space Telescope captures deep infrared images, revealing very distant early galaxies. Fun fact: JWST observes wavelengths that Hubble couldn't see.