Space quiz: missions, planets and the night sky basics
A general-knowledge quiz for readers who enjoy space news, from orbits and eclipses to the difference between asteroids and comets.
What is the main difference between a planet and a moon?
In simple terms, planets orbit stars and moons orbit planets or other bodies.
What causes a solar eclipse as seen from Earth?
A solar eclipse happens when the Moon lines up between Earth and the Sun from our viewpoint.
Why do spacecraft often use gravity assists?
A gravity assist uses the motion and gravity of a body to reshape a spacecraft path efficiently.
What is a comet best known for compared with most asteroids?
Comets contain volatile ices. Near the Sun, escaping gas and dust can create the visible coma or tail.
What does “light-year” measure?
A light-year is the distance light travels in one year, which makes it a distance unit, not a time unit.
What is an orbit in spaceflight terms?
An orbit is a gravitational path. The shape and timing depend on speed, mass and distance.
Where does the International Space Station usually operate?
The ISS circles Earth in low Earth orbit, close enough to be reached by crewed spacecraft.
What is the main job of a planetary rover?
Rovers are mobile science platforms. They let missions examine more than one fixed landing spot.
What is an exoplanet?
Exoplanets orbit stars beyond the Sun. Thousands have been detected using several methods.
Why are reusable rocket boosters important to many launch companies?
Recovering and reusing boosters can lower cost per launch, though refurbishment and reliability still matter.
Nice work
You scored 0 out of 10. Sona will remember this quiz on this device so article buttons can rotate when more quizzes are available.
New quiz every week
We are building one new 10-question quiz every week for each Sona section and active language. Share the quiz now, then come back for the next edition.
Advertisement The daily signal, not the noise A Sona newsletter placement reserved for the launch list. Join the newsletter 