Solar System MCQs on Planets: The solar system can be described as an extensive system centered around the Sun, with various celestial bodies moving under its gravitational influence. It includes eight planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—each following a distinct orbital path. In addition to planets, the solar system contains asteroids, which are mainly rocky objects located in the asteroid belt, as well as comets made of ice and dust that form visible tails when they travel close to the Sun. Small fragments of rock and debris known as meteoroids often enter Earth’s atmosphere; when they burn due to friction, they appear as meteors, and if any part reaches the ground, it is referred to as a meteorite. Together, these celestial objects form a constantly evolving and active solar system. To support exam preparation, a set of carefully prepared MCQs on the solar system has been included to help aspirants revise key concepts effectively for competitive examinations.
Solar System MCQs – Planets, Moons and Other Objects
1. Which planet has the largest size when compared with Earth?
A. Saturn
B. Mars
C. Jupiter
D. Uranus
Answer: C
2. The actual shape of the Earth is best described as—
A. Circular
B. Perfect sphere
C. Flattened disc
D. Geoid
Answer: D
3. Approximately how much oxygen is present in Earth’s atmosphere?
A. 25 percent
B. 17 percent
C. 21 percent
D. 33 percent
Answer: C
4. Earth belongs to which category of celestial bodies?
A. Star
B. Satellite
C. Planet
D. Comet
Answer: C
5. The planet commonly known as the “Red Planet” is—
A. Venus
B. Mars
C. Mercury
D. Earth
Answer: B
6. Mars is also referred to as—
A. Blue planet
B. Evening star
C. Morning star
D. Red planet
Answer: D
7. How many natural satellites does Mars have?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Answer: B
8. Which planet has a moon named Ganymede?
A. Saturn
B. Mercury
C. Jupiter
D. Venus
Answer: C
9. How many Galilean moons were discovered by Galileo in 1610?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
Answer: C
10. Which of the following is not a satellite of Jupiter?
A. Ganymede
B. Io
C. Euporie
D. Titan
Answer: D
11. The massive storm known as the Great Red Spot is found on—
A. Mars
B. Venus
C. Jupiter
D. Pluto
Answer: C
12. Which planet appears orange in colour with white bands across its surface?
A. Saturn
B. Mars
C. Jupiter
D. Venus
Answer: C
13. Who discovered the dwarf planet Pluto?
A. William Herschel
B. Johann Galle
C. John Adams
D. Clyde Tombaugh
Answer: D
14. Pluto was discovered in which year?
A. 1925
B. 1930
C. 1935
D. 1940
Answer: B
15. Which celestial body lost its status as a planet in 2006?
A. Mercury
B. Jupiter
C. Venus
D. Pluto
Answer: D
16. What is the name of Pluto’s largest moon?
A. Triton
B. Luna
C. Charon
D. Ganymede
Answer: C
17. The planet Uranus was discovered by—
A. Galileo Galilei
B. Nicolaus Copernicus
C. Christian Huygens
D. Sir William Herschel
Answer: D
18. Which was the first planet discovered using a telescope?
A. Jupiter
B. Neptune
C. Pluto
D. Uranus
Answer: D
19. How many Earth days does the Moon take to complete one rotation on its axis?
A. 20 days
B. 25.6 days
C. 27.3 days
D. 29.8 days
Answer: C
20. When more than half of the Moon’s surface is visible, the phase is called—
A. New Moon
B. Half Moon
C. Gibbous Moon
D. Full Moon
Answer: C
21. A lunar eclipse can occur only during—
A. First Quarter
B. New Moon
C. Last Quarter
D. Full Moon
Answer: D
22. The light seen on the Moon from Earth is actually—
A. Light produced by the Moon
B. Light reflected from Earth
C. Light from satellites
D. Sunlight reflected by the Moon
Answer: D
23. The term “Blue Moon” refers to—
A. Moon during an eclipse
B. Another name for the Moon
C. First Full Moon of a year
D. Second Full Moon in a calendar month
Answer: D
24. Which dwarf planet is located in the asteroid belt?
A. Eris
B. Pluto
C. Ceres
D. Makemake
Answer: C
25. The work done by the Moon during one complete revolution around the Earth is—
A. Gravitational force × diameter
B. Centripetal force × radius
C. Gravitational force × circumference
D. Zero
Answer: D
26. The word “Comet” is derived from an ancient word meaning “long-haired star,” which belongs to—
A. Latin
B. German
C. French
D. Greek
Answer: D