Astronomy Quiz: Test Your Knowledge!
The universe is vast and full of mysteries. From distant stars to spiral galaxies, by way of black holes and nebulae, are you ready to explore the depths of the cosmos?
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Frequently asked questions: Astronomy
A preview of what awaits you in this astronomy quiz: 15 multiple choice questions, each with a detailed explanation so you learn as you play. Here are a few sample questions (and their answers, no peeking before you play!).
What is the closest star to the Sun?
Answer: Proxima Centauri. Proxima Centauri is the closest star to the Sun, about 4.24 light years away. It is part of the triple star system Alpha Centauri.
What is a light year?
Answer: The distance travelled by light in one year. A light year is a unit of distance equal to the distance travelled by light in one year, about 9.461 trillion kilometres. It is not a unit of time.
What is the approximate temperature at the surface of the Sun?
Answer: 5,500 °C. The temperature at the surface of the Sun (the photosphere) is about 5,500 °C. Its core, on the other hand, reaches about 15 million degrees Celsius, which is where nuclear fusion reactions take place.
What is the approximate diameter of the Milky Way?
Answer: 100,000 light years. The Milky Way is about 100,000 light years in diameter. Our solar system is about 26,000 light years from the galactic centre, in one of the galaxy's spiral arms.
What is a nebula?
Answer: A cloud of interstellar gas and dust. A nebula is a vast cloud of interstellar gas and dust. Some nebulae are stellar nurseries where new stars are born, while others are the remains of stars that exploded as supernovae.
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