Solar System - Science Olympiad Exam Questions
and Answers
Question 1
Features to look for to identify the Moon?
Correct Answer
A round and light gray surface, with craters that are surrounded by a pushed up
surface, a mantle made of Olivine, Orthopyroxene, and Clinopyroxene. A crust that
varies wildly in size. Few mounds, mountains, and canyons. The moon is an example
of tidal locking: where its orbital period around earth matches the time it takes for
the planet to rotate.
Question 2
Surface Features of Deimos?
Correct Answer
Deimos is about a seventh the size of Phobos. It is less round, shaped almost like a
potato, and is very smooth. It has a few large, deep craters, and varies in color. Its
gravity is so weak than any craters blow off lots of material that isn't caught by its
gravitational pull.
Question 3
Cratered, but noticeably smoother than Phobos, partially caused by craters being
filled with regolith.
Correct Answer
What are the craters like on Deimos?
Question 4
Phobos
Correct Answer
What moon is Stickney on?
Page 1 of 99
,Question 5
An imaginary line drawn from the center of the sun to the center of the planet will
move in equal distances in equal intervals of time.
Correct Answer
What is Kepler's Second Law?
Question 6
(Unknown geological) forces folded the crust into valleys and hills
Correct Answer
How was Alpha Regio formed?
Question 7
Ishtar Terra
Correct Answer
Located on the North Pole of Venus, size of Australia or the U.S.
Question 8
composed of rock rich in carbonaceous material
Correct Answer
What is the composition of Deimos?
Page 2 of 99
,Question 9
Earth
Correct Answer
The third planet from the Sun...A planet that can sustain life...Roman for the Greek
Gaia
Question 10
Internal features of Venus'?
Correct Answer
Venus' internal surface is mostly normal, with a metallic core, rocky mantle and
crust. However, about 300-500 million years ago, there seems to have been a
"resurfacing" in which large amounts of magma rose from the mantle to the surface,
causing "lava oceans" along the surface.
Question 11
Phobos
Correct Answer
Which is larger - Phobos or Deimos?
Question 12
The Moon
Correct Answer
5th largest moon, only other place other than Earth that humans have set foot.
Page 3 of 99
, Question 13
M-type, E-type, P-type
Correct Answer
What type of asteroids are classified under X-group?
Question 14
Started with the formation of _____ and core accretion. ___ changes constantly because
of the volcanic activity that is occurring.
Correct Answer
How was Io formed?
Question 15
Volcanism, canyon development, weathering and erosion levels all decreased greatly.
Correct Answer
After Mars's time of flooding, what happened?
Question 16
any planet's p^2:d^3 will be the same, each around 1.
Correct Answer
What does Kepler's Third Law show?
Question 17
Composition of Asteroids?
Correct Answer
Mostly carbonaceous or made of silicates, though some are made of heavy metals.
Page 4 of 99
and Answers
Question 1
Features to look for to identify the Moon?
Correct Answer
A round and light gray surface, with craters that are surrounded by a pushed up
surface, a mantle made of Olivine, Orthopyroxene, and Clinopyroxene. A crust that
varies wildly in size. Few mounds, mountains, and canyons. The moon is an example
of tidal locking: where its orbital period around earth matches the time it takes for
the planet to rotate.
Question 2
Surface Features of Deimos?
Correct Answer
Deimos is about a seventh the size of Phobos. It is less round, shaped almost like a
potato, and is very smooth. It has a few large, deep craters, and varies in color. Its
gravity is so weak than any craters blow off lots of material that isn't caught by its
gravitational pull.
Question 3
Cratered, but noticeably smoother than Phobos, partially caused by craters being
filled with regolith.
Correct Answer
What are the craters like on Deimos?
Question 4
Phobos
Correct Answer
What moon is Stickney on?
Page 1 of 99
,Question 5
An imaginary line drawn from the center of the sun to the center of the planet will
move in equal distances in equal intervals of time.
Correct Answer
What is Kepler's Second Law?
Question 6
(Unknown geological) forces folded the crust into valleys and hills
Correct Answer
How was Alpha Regio formed?
Question 7
Ishtar Terra
Correct Answer
Located on the North Pole of Venus, size of Australia or the U.S.
Question 8
composed of rock rich in carbonaceous material
Correct Answer
What is the composition of Deimos?
Page 2 of 99
,Question 9
Earth
Correct Answer
The third planet from the Sun...A planet that can sustain life...Roman for the Greek
Gaia
Question 10
Internal features of Venus'?
Correct Answer
Venus' internal surface is mostly normal, with a metallic core, rocky mantle and
crust. However, about 300-500 million years ago, there seems to have been a
"resurfacing" in which large amounts of magma rose from the mantle to the surface,
causing "lava oceans" along the surface.
Question 11
Phobos
Correct Answer
Which is larger - Phobos or Deimos?
Question 12
The Moon
Correct Answer
5th largest moon, only other place other than Earth that humans have set foot.
Page 3 of 99
, Question 13
M-type, E-type, P-type
Correct Answer
What type of asteroids are classified under X-group?
Question 14
Started with the formation of _____ and core accretion. ___ changes constantly because
of the volcanic activity that is occurring.
Correct Answer
How was Io formed?
Question 15
Volcanism, canyon development, weathering and erosion levels all decreased greatly.
Correct Answer
After Mars's time of flooding, what happened?
Question 16
any planet's p^2:d^3 will be the same, each around 1.
Correct Answer
What does Kepler's Third Law show?
Question 17
Composition of Asteroids?
Correct Answer
Mostly carbonaceous or made of silicates, though some are made of heavy metals.
Page 4 of 99
