Sun, Moon, and Stars Quiz

Grade 2 · Science · Quiz

Test your knowledge of the Sun, Moon, stars, and how they move in the sky!

Questions

Where does the Sun appear to rise every morning?
1. In the west
2. In the north
3. In the east
4. Directly overhead
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Answer: In the east
Because Earth rotates from west to east, the Sun appears to rise in the east each morning and set in the west each evening.
Stars are giant balls of burning gas, just like the Sun.
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Answer: True
All stars, including our Sun, are enormous spheres of hot plasma (burning gas) that produce their own light and heat.
The Moon travels around Earth in a path called an ___.
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Answer: orbit
An orbit is the curved path one object takes around another in space. The Moon orbits Earth.
What causes day and night on Earth?
1. The Moon blocking the Sun
2. Earth spinning on its axis
3. The Sun moving around Earth
4. Clouds covering the Sun
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Answer: Earth spinning on its axis
Earth rotates once every 24 hours. The side facing the Sun has day; the side facing away has night.
A full moon is when we can see the entire lit surface of the Moon.
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Answer: True
During a full moon, the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned so the entire lit side of the Moon faces Earth.
A group of stars forming a pattern in the sky is called a ___.
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Answer: constellation
Constellations are patterns of stars named by ancient civilizations; examples include Orion and the Big Dipper.
Why does the Moon shine at night?
1. It makes its own fire
2. It is very hot
3. It reflects light from the Sun
4. It is a small sun
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Answer: It reflects light from the Sun
The Moon has no light source of its own. Its glow comes from sunlight bouncing off its surface.
The Sun is much larger than Earth.
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Answer: True
About 1 million Earths could fit inside the Sun — the Sun has a diameter of about 865,000 miles compared to Earth's 7,918 miles.
About how long does it take the Moon to complete one orbit around Earth?
1. 1 day
2. 1 week
3. 28 days
4. 365 days
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Answer: 28 days
The Moon's orbit around Earth takes about 27.3 days (roughly 28 days or one month).
A new moon phase is when the Moon is not ___ from Earth.
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Answer: visible
During a new moon, the Moon is between Earth and the Sun, so the unlit side faces Earth and it cannot be seen.

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