Pluto and the Kuiper Belt Quiz

Which sentence best describes Pluto?

• Pluto is actually closer to the Sun than Neptune for about 8% of its orbit.

• Pluto and its large, orbiting companion object Charon, are tipped on their sides.

• Pluto is just one of many icy objects in a distant area of our solar system.

• All of the above.

Answer explanation

Pluto is a distant icy object in our solar system, closer to the Sun than Neptune at times, and tipped on its side with its companion Charon. All of the above choices correctly describe Pluto.

What is the temperature on Pluto's surface at its current distance from the Sun?

• 200 degrees below zero Fahrenheit

• 100 degrees below zero Fahrenheit

• 400 degrees below zero Fahrenheit

• 300 degrees below zero Fahrenheit

Answer explanation

The temperature on Pluto's surface at its current distance from the Sun is 400 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. This is the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

How does Pluto's orbit path differ from most of the planets in our solar system?

• It is a spiral

• It is oval-shaped with the Sun nowhere near its center

• It is a straight line

• It is a nearly perfect circle

Answer explanation

Pluto's orbit is oval-shaped with the Sun not at its center, unlike most planets in our solar system.

What is the largest moon compared to the body it orbits in the solar system?

• Jupiter's moon Ganymede

• Mars' moon Phobos

• Charon compared to Pluto

• Earth's moon

Answer explanation

Charon is the largest moon compared to the body it orbits in the solar system. It is larger than Pluto, making it the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

What is the name of the robot spacecraft that visited Pluto and the Kuiper Belt?

• Opportunity

• Cassini

• New Horizons

• Voyager 1

Answer explanation

New Horizons is the name of the robot spacecraft that visited Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. It successfully explored these distant regions of our solar system.

What is the area full of icy bodies and other dwarf planets at the edge of our solar system called?

• Scattered Disc

• Asteroid Belt

• Kuiper Belt

• Oort Cloud

Answer explanation

The area full of icy bodies and dwarf planets at the edge of our solar system is called the Kuiper Belt. It is different from the Asteroid Belt, Scattered Disc, and Oort Cloud.

How many Earth years would you have to live to celebrate your first birthday in Pluto-years?

• 496 Earth years

• 124 Earth years

• 372 Earth years

• 248 Earth years

Answer explanation

To celebrate your first birthday in Pluto-years, you would have to live for 248 Earth years.

What is the weight of a 100-pound person on Earth in pounds on Pluto?

• 3 pounds

• 5 pounds

• 7 pounds

• 9 pounds

Answer explanation

The weight of a 100-pound person on Earth would be approximately 7 pounds on Pluto. This is because the gravitational force on Pluto is about 0.06 times that of Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

What is the region of trillions of icy objects orbiting beyond Neptune called?

• Kuiper Belt

• Scattered Disc

• Asteroid Belt

• Oort Cloud

Answer explanation

The region of trillions of icy objects orbiting beyond Neptune is called the Kuiper Belt. It is a vast area of space filled with small icy bodies, including dwarf planets like Pluto. The Kuiper Belt is located beyond the orbit of Neptune and is an important area of study for astronomers.

What is the name of the largest known object in the Kuiper Belt?

• Ceres

• Pluto

• Eris

• Makemake

Answer explanation

Pluto is the largest known object in the Kuiper Belt.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3