10 reviewed questions · mixed difficulty

Space Trivia Questions With Answers

Space trivia stretches from our nearest star to the structure of the Milky Way. These questions combine Solar System basics with important milestones in exploration.

By QZify Editorial Team · Published 2026-08-19 · Reviewed 2026-08-19

Our cosmic neighbourhood

Start with planets and moons, then move outward to stars, galaxies, and the distances astronomers use.

Exploration matters

Several questions connect scientific knowledge with the people and missions that expanded it.

Questions and answers

Test yourself before opening each answer

Make your choice first, then open the answer to see a clear explanation.

Starseasy
1. What is the closest star to Earth?
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Answer: The Sun
The Sun is about 150 million kilometres from Earth on average.
Source: NASA Science
Planetseasy
2. Which is the largest planet in the Solar System?
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Answer: Jupiter
Jupiter is more massive than all the other planets combined.
Source: NASA Science
Galaxiesmedium
3. What type of galaxy is the Milky Way?
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Answer: A barred spiral galaxy
It has spiral arms and a central bar-shaped structure of stars.
Source: NASA Science
Explorationeasy
4. Who was the first human to travel into space?
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Answer: Yuri Gagarin
Gagarin completed one orbit of Earth aboard Vostok 1 in 1961.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Explorationeasy
5. What was the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth?
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Answer: Sputnik 1
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 on 4 October 1957.
Source: NASA Science
Planetseasy
6. Which planet has the most visually prominent ring system?
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Answer: Saturn
Saturn's broad rings are made mainly of countless pieces of water ice.
Source: NASA Science
Moonmedium
7. What causes most ocean tides on Earth?
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Answer: The Moon's gravity
The Moon's gravitational pull produces tidal bulges; the Sun also contributes.
Source: NOAA
Dwarf planetsmedium
8. In which year did the IAU classify Pluto as a dwarf planet?
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Answer: 2006
The IAU adopted a formal planet definition at its 2006 General Assembly.
Source: International Astronomical Union
Planetsmedium
9. On which planet is Olympus Mons?
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Answer: Mars
Olympus Mons is a vast shield volcano and the largest known volcano in the Solar System.
Source: NASA Science
Astronomymedium
10. What does a light-year measure?
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Answer: Distance
It is the distance light travels through a vacuum in one year, not a measure of time.
Source: NASA Science