Outer Space Trivia

Outer Space trivia brings together facts about the solar system, distant galaxies, famous missions, and the science that helps explain the cosmos. From family-friendly basics to harder stargazer challenges, it offers an accessible way to test what you know about one of humanity’s oldest subjects of curiosity.

Easy Outer Space Trivia

13 questions

These easy Outer Space trivia questions are great for beginners and kids around age 12 and under.

Question 1
Which planet sits closest to the Sun?
1. A.Mercury
2. B.Venus
3. C.Earth
4. D.Mars
Answer: Mercury
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.
Question 2
What is the third planet from the Sun?
Answer: Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun.
Question 3
Which world is widely nicknamed the Red Planet?
1. A.Jupiter
2. B.Venus
3. C.Neptune
4. D.Mars
Answer: Mars
Mars is often called the Red Planet.
Question 4
Name the largest planet in the Solar System.?
Answer: Jupiter
Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System.
Question 5
Which planet is best known for its prominent rings?
1. A.Saturn
2. B.Uranus
3. C.Jupiter
4. D.Neptune
Answer: Saturn
Saturn is famous for its prominent ring system.
Question 6
William Herschel discovered which planet in 1781?
Answer: Uranus
Uranus was discovered by William Herschel in 1781.
Question 7
Which planet is eighth from the Sun?
Answer: Neptune
Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun.
Question 8
What natural satellite goes around Earth?
Answer: The Moon
The Moon orbits Earth.
Question 9
True or false: the Sun is a star.?
Answer: True
The Sun is a star.
Question 10
What star is commonly called the North Star?
Answer: Polaris
Polaris is commonly known is the North Star.
Question 11
A light-year measures what: time or distance?
Answer: Distance
A light-year measures distance rather than time.
Question 12
Which galaxy contains our Solar System?
Answer: The Milky Way
The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains the Solar System.
Question 13
How many planets are in the Solar System?
Answer: 8
The Solar System has eight planets.

Outer Space Family Trivia

12 questions

These family Outer Space trivia questions are built for mixed-age game nights, classrooms, and groups.

Question 1
Who became the first human in space in 1961?
Answer: Yuri Gagarin
Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space in 1961.
Question 2
Which trailblazer became the first woman in space in 1963?
Answer: Valentina Tereshkova
Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space in 1963.
Question 3
Which astronaut was the first American to orbit Earth?
Answer: John Glenn
John Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth in 1962.
Question 4
In 1983, who became the first American woman in space?
Answer: Sally Ride
Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983.
Question 5
Which mission landed on the Moon in 1969?
Answer: Apollo 11
Apollo 11 landed on the Moon in 1969.
Question 6
Neil Armstrong's first lunar step happened in what location?
Answer: Mare Tranquillitatis
Neil Armstrong's first step on the Moon took place in Mare Tranquillitatis.
Question 7
Which famous space telescope launched in 1990?
Answer: Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990.
Question 8
What orbital outpost began assembly in 1998?
Answer: International Space Station
The International Space Station began assembly in orbit in 1998.
Question 9
Which reusable spacecraft program first flew in 1981?
Answer: Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle first flew in 1981.
Question 10
Which probe with a famous golden-era journey launched in 1977: Voyager 1 or Curiosity?
1. A.Juno
2. B.Hubble Space Telescope
3. C.Voyager 1
4. D.Curiosity
Answer: Voyager 1
Voyager 1 was launched in 1977.
Question 11
Name the companion Voyager mission that also launched in 1977.?
Answer: Voyager 2
Voyager 2 was launched in 1977.
Question 12
Curiosity touched down on Mars in 2012 inside which crater?
Answer: Gale Crater
The Mars rover Curiosity landed in Gale Crater in 2012.

Fun Outer Space Trivia

13 questions

These fun Outer Space trivia questions highlight surprising moments and playful facts for game-night groups.

Question 1
Spot the windy giant: what is Jupiter's huge storm called?
Answer: Great Red Spot
Jupiter's Great Red Spot is a giant storm larger than Earth.
Question 2
Which moon of Saturn has lakes and seas made of liquid methane and ethane?
Answer: Titan
Saturn's moon Titan has lakes and seas of liquid methane and ethane.
Question 3
What icy moon sprays water-rich plumes from its south polar region?
Answer: Enceladus
Enceladus sprays water-rich plumes from its south polar region.
Question 4
What kind of star can spin hundreds of times each second?
Answer: A neutron star
Neutron stars can rotate hundreds of times per second.
Question 5
A teaspoon of what would weigh billions of tons on Earth?
Answer: Neutron-star matter
A teaspoon of neutron-star matter would weigh billions of tons on Earth.
Question 6
What could linger on the Moon for millions of years because there is so little weather there?
Answer: Apollo footprints
The footprints left by Apollo astronauts on the Moon can last for millions of years.
Question 7
How long is one year on Mercury in Earth days?
Answer: 88 Earth days
One year on Mercury lasts 88 Earth days.
Question 8
About how long is a Martian day?
Answer: About 24 hours and 39 minutes
One day on Mars is about 24 hours and 39 minutes long.
Question 9
By about how much does the Moon drift away from Earth each year?
Answer: About 3.8 centimeters per year
The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth by about 3.8 centimeters per year.
Question 10
Why do comet tails stream away from the Sun rather than behind the comet's path?
Answer: Because of solar wind and sunlight pressure
Comet tails point away from the Sun because of solar wind and sunlight pressure.
Question 11
Which dwarf planet is the largest known one in the asteroid belt?
Answer: Ceres
The largest known dwarf planet in the asteroid belt is Ceres.
Question 12
Mars keeps two tiny companions. What are their names?
Answer: Phobos and Deimos
Mars has two small moons named Phobos and Deimos.
Question 13
Which asteroid is counted among the largest objects in the asteroid belt?
Answer: Vesta
The asteroid Vesta is one of the largest objects in the asteroid belt.

Funny Outer Space Trivia

13 questions

These funny Outer Space trivia questions highlight playful moments, odd facts, and inside jokes.

Question 1
What nickname does October's full Moon wear?
Answer: Hunter's Moon
The nickname for the full Moon in October is the Hunter's Moon.
Question 2
The Moon's dark plains have a watery-sounding nickname. What is it?
Answer: Maria
The informal nickname for the Moon's dark plains is maria, from the Latin word for seas.
Question 3
Which constellation is commonly called the Great Bear?
Answer: Ursa Major
The constellation Ursa Major is commonly called the Great Bear.
Question 4
The Big Dipper is not a full constellation. It belongs to which one?
Answer: Ursa Major
The informal pattern called the Big Dipper is part of Ursa Major.
Question 5
Which nebula is the remnant of a supernova seen in 1054?
Answer: Crab Nebula
The Crab Nebula is the remnant of a supernova observed in 1054.
Question 6
Which planetary nebula in Draco sounds ready to stare back at you?
Answer: Cat's Eye Nebula
The Cat's Eye Nebula is a planetary nebula in the constellation Draco.
Question 7
Which famous nebula shaped like an animal's head is found in Orion?
Answer: Horsehead Nebula
The Horsehead Nebula is located in the constellation Orion.
Question 8
Which galaxy is also known as Messier 104 and sounds ready for a cosmic parade?
Answer: Sombrero Galaxy
The Sombrero Galaxy is also known is Messier 104.
Question 9
Messier 51 goes by what swirling nickname?
Answer: Whirlpool Galaxy
The Whirlpool Galaxy is also known is Messier 51.
Question 10
Which spin-happy galaxy is another name for Messier 101?
Answer: Pinwheel Galaxy
The Pinwheel Galaxy is also known is Messier 101.
Question 11
What nebula is cataloged as Messier 27?
Answer: Dumbbell Nebula
The Dumbbell Nebula is cataloged is Messier 27.
Question 12
NGC 2392 is better known by what chilly nickname?
Answer: Eskimo Nebula
The Eskimo Nebula is also known is NGC 2392.
Question 13
Which fluttery nebula is cataloged as NGC 6302?
Answer: Butterfly Nebula
The Butterfly Nebula is cataloged is NGC 6302.

Hard Outer Space Trivia

14 questions

These hard Outer Space trivia questions are for expert fans who want a real challenge.

Question 1
Who showed in 1925 that stars are composed mainly of hydrogen and helium?
Answer: Cecilia Payne
Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin showed in 1925 that stars are composed mainly of hydrogen and helium.
Question 2
Which astronomer discovered the period-luminosity relation for Cepheid variable stars?
Answer: Henrietta Swan Leavitt
Henrietta Swan Leavitt discovered the period-luminosity relation for Cepheid variable stars.
Question 3
Who provided evidence that the Andromeda Nebula is a separate galaxy?
Answer: Edwin Hubble
Edwin Hubble provided evidence that the Andromeda Nebula is a separate galaxy.
Question 4
Whose galaxy rotation research gave key evidence for dark matter?
Answer: Vera Rubin
Vera Rubin's galaxy rotation research provided key evidence for dark matter.
Question 5
Who co-discovered the first radio pulsars in 1967?
Answer: Jocelyn Bell Burnell
Jocelyn Bell Burnell co-discovered the first radio pulsars in 1967.
Question 6
Which scientist co-wrote the 1972 Pioneer plaque message sent into space?
Answer: Carl Sagan
Carl Sagan co-wrote the 1972 Pioneer plaque message sent into space.
Question 7
Who predicted the black hole emission now called Hawking radiation?
Answer: Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking predicted that black holes emit radiation now called Hawking radiation.
Question 8
During Apollo 13's mission crisis, who served as NASA flight director?
Answer: Gene Kranz
Gene Kranz was NASA's flight director during Apollo 13's mission crisis.
Question 9
In what U.S. territory was the Arecibo Observatory located?
Answer: Puerto Rico
The Arecibo Observatory was located in Puerto Rico.
Question 10
In what year did the Arecibo Observatory collapse?
Answer: 2020
The Arecibo Observatory collapsed in 2020.
Question 11
What was the first space station launched into orbit in 1971?
Answer: Salyut 1
The first space station launched into orbit was Salyut 1 in 1971.
Question 12
Which spacecraft was the first reusable crewed orbital spacecraft to fly?
Answer: Space Shuttle Columbia
The first reusable crewed orbital spacecraft to fly was Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981.
Question 13
Who became the first American woman to perform a spacewalk in 1984?
Answer: Kathryn D. Sullivan
The first American woman to perform a spacewalk was Kathryn D. Sullivan in 1984.
Question 14
What is the name of China's modular space station?
Answer: Tiangong
China's modular space station is named Tiangong.

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Easy Outer Space Trivia

Which planet sits closest to the Sun?

What is the third planet from the Sun?

Which world is widely nicknamed the Red Planet?

Name the largest planet in the Solar System.?

Which planet is best known for its prominent rings?

William Herschel discovered which planet in 1781?

Which planet is eighth from the Sun?

What natural satellite goes around Earth?

True or false: the Sun is a star.?

What star is commonly called the North Star?

A light-year measures what: time or distance?

Which galaxy contains our Solar System?

How many planets are in the Solar System?

Outer Space Family Trivia

Who became the first human in space in 1961?

Which trailblazer became the first woman in space in 1963?

Which astronaut was the first American to orbit Earth?

In 1983, who became the first American woman in space?

Which mission landed on the Moon in 1969?

Neil Armstrong's first lunar step happened in what location?

Which famous space telescope launched in 1990?

What orbital outpost began assembly in 1998?

Which reusable spacecraft program first flew in 1981?

Which probe with a famous golden-era journey launched in 1977: Voyager 1 or Curiosity?

Name the companion Voyager mission that also launched in 1977.?

Curiosity touched down on Mars in 2012 inside which crater?

Fun Outer Space Trivia

Spot the windy giant: what is Jupiter's huge storm called?

Which moon of Saturn has lakes and seas made of liquid methane and ethane?

What icy moon sprays water-rich plumes from its south polar region?

What kind of star can spin hundreds of times each second?

A teaspoon of what would weigh billions of tons on Earth?

What could linger on the Moon for millions of years because there is so little weather there?

How long is one year on Mercury in Earth days?

About how long is a Martian day?

By about how much does the Moon drift away from Earth each year?

Why do comet tails stream away from the Sun rather than behind the comet's path?

Which dwarf planet is the largest known one in the asteroid belt?

Mars keeps two tiny companions. What are their names?

Which asteroid is counted among the largest objects in the asteroid belt?

Funny Outer Space Trivia

What nickname does October's full Moon wear?

The Moon's dark plains have a watery-sounding nickname. What is it?

Which constellation is commonly called the Great Bear?

The Big Dipper is not a full constellation. It belongs to which one?

Which nebula is the remnant of a supernova seen in 1054?

Which planetary nebula in Draco sounds ready to stare back at you?

Which famous nebula shaped like an animal's head is found in Orion?

Which galaxy is also known as Messier 104 and sounds ready for a cosmic parade?

Messier 51 goes by what swirling nickname?

Which spin-happy galaxy is another name for Messier 101?

What nebula is cataloged as Messier 27?

NGC 2392 is better known by what chilly nickname?

Which fluttery nebula is cataloged as NGC 6302?

Hard Outer Space Trivia

Who showed in 1925 that stars are composed mainly of hydrogen and helium?

Which astronomer discovered the period-luminosity relation for Cepheid variable stars?

Who provided evidence that the Andromeda Nebula is a separate galaxy?

Whose galaxy rotation research gave key evidence for dark matter?

Who co-discovered the first radio pulsars in 1967?

Which scientist co-wrote the 1972 Pioneer plaque message sent into space?

Who predicted the black hole emission now called Hawking radiation?

During Apollo 13's mission crisis, who served as NASA flight director?

In what U.S. territory was the Arecibo Observatory located?

In what year did the Arecibo Observatory collapse?

What was the first space station launched into orbit in 1971?

Which spacecraft was the first reusable crewed orbital spacecraft to fly?

Who became the first American woman to perform a spacewalk in 1984?

What is the name of China's modular space station?

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