The Sun, Moon, and Stars Quiz

Grade 3 · Science · Quiz

Test your knowledge of the Sun, Moon phases, stars, and the night sky.

Questions

How long does it take the Moon to complete one orbit around Earth?
1. 1 day
2. 7 days
3. About 27 days
4. 365 days
Show answer
Answer: About 27 days
The Moon takes about 27.3 days to orbit Earth. Interestingly, it also takes the same amount of time to rotate once, which is why we always see the same side of the Moon.
The Sun is the largest star in the universe.
Show answer
Answer: False
The Sun is actually a medium-sized star. Stars like VY Canis Majoris are over 1,500 times wider than our Sun. The Sun just seems huge because it's so close to us.
When we cannot see any of the Moon's lit side from Earth, it is called a ___ moon.
Show answer
Answer: new
A new moon occurs when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun, so the sunlit side faces away from us. The night sky is darkest during a new moon.
What causes ocean tides on Earth?
1. Earth rotating on its axis
2. The Moon's gravitational pull
3. Underwater earthquakes
4. The Sun's heat
Show answer
Answer: The Moon's gravitational pull
The Moon's gravitational pull creates a tidal bulge in Earth's oceans. As Earth rotates through this bulge, coastal areas experience high and low tides roughly twice daily.
Stars are visible during the day but blocked out by the Sun's brightness.
Show answer
Answer: True
Stars are always in the sky — the Sun's light is just so bright it drowns them out during the day. Astronauts in space can see stars even when facing the Sun.
The Moon phase after a full moon is called a:
1. New moon
2. Crescent
3. Gibbous (waning)
4. Quarter
Show answer
Answer: Gibbous (waning)
After a full moon, the lit portion we see from Earth gradually decreases. This is called waning gibbous — more than half is lit but it's getting smaller.
Named patterns of stars in the night sky are called ___.
Show answer
Answer: constellations
There are 88 officially recognized constellations. The 12 in the zodiac follow the path the Sun appears to travel through the sky over the year.
Earth orbits the Moon.
Show answer
Answer: False
Earth orbits the Sun, not the Moon. The Moon orbits Earth. This is the hierarchy: Moon orbits Earth, Earth orbits the Sun.
What is the energy source that makes the Sun shine?
1. Burning coal
2. Nuclear fusion
3. Electricity
4. Chemical reactions
Show answer
Answer: Nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion in the Sun's core fuses hydrogen atoms into helium, releasing enormous amounts of energy as light and heat. The Sun fuses about 600 million tons of hydrogen per second.
The Moon is about 238,000 miles from Earth.
Show answer
Answer: True
The Moon orbits at an average distance of about 238,855 miles (384,400 km). This varies slightly because the Moon's orbit is elliptical, not perfectly circular.

Get a personalized course on The Sun, Moon, and Stars built around your child.