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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Kids Discover Planets Worksheet
After reading KIDS DISCOVER Planets, choose the best answer for each question.
Find your answer on the pages shown in the book icon next to each question.
Match the planet with its composition.
_____ 1. Earth
A. Gas giant
_____ 2. Jupiter
B. Rocky world
_____ 3. Mars
_____ 4. Mercury
_____ 5. Neptune
_____ 6. Saturn
_____ 7. Uranus
_____ 8. Venus
9. How are Ceres and Pluto alike?
a. They are both rocky worlds.
b. They are both dwarf planets.
c. They are both gas giants.
d. They are both asteroids
10. What causes the surface of Mercury to fold like the skin of a dry apple?
a. The heat of the Sun.
b. The lack of water.
c. The slight shrinking of the planet as its iron core cools.
d. The freezing temperatures in the shadowed regions at the poles.
11. What is the largest known surface feature of Mercury?
a. Arecibo Vallis
b. Borealis Planitia
c. Caloris Basin
d. Resolution Rupes
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
12. How was the Caloris Basin on Mercury formed?
a. By a volcano.
b. By a comet.
c. By a meteorite.
d. By an asteroid.
13. What is a likely reason for Venus being hotter than Mercury?
a. Because carbon dioxide traps the Sun’s heat.
b. Because Venus has high winds.
c. Because it is named after the god of the Forge.
d. Because Venus is closer to the Sun than Mercury.
14. Which country landed a probe on the surface of Venus?
a. China
b. India
c. Soviet Union
d. United States
15. Why can’t we see the surface of Venus?
a. It is so far away.
b. It is covered by clouds.
c. It is so small.
d. The winds are so high.
16. How is Mars like Earth?
a. It has a thin carbon dioxide atmosphere.
b. It is cold, dry, and barren.
c. Its winter temperatures may be 200 degrees below freezing.
d. It has seasons.
17. The largest volcano in the Solar System is found on Mars. What is its name?
a. Arsia Mons
b. Elysium Mons
c. Olympus Mons
d. Ulysses Patera
18. Which of Jupiter’s moons may have life in its buried ocean?
a. Io
b. Europa
c. Ganymede
d. Calisto
19. Which of Jupiter’s moons has active volcanoes?
a. Io
b. Europa
c. Ganymede
d. Calisto
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
20. What is the Great Red Spot?
a. A hole in Jupiter’s clouds.
b. Remains of a comet collision.
c. Colorful clouds in Jupiter’s atmosphere.
d. A gigantic storm.
21. For what is Saturn best known?
a. It’s color.
b. It’s moons.
c. It’s rings.
d. It’s size.
22. This moon of Saturn is larger than Mercury.
a. Enceladus
b. Hyperion
c. Mimas
d. Titan
23. This moon is the coldest place in the Solar System.
a. Miranda
b. Oberon
c. Puck
d. Triton
24. Uranus’s and Neptune’s atmospheres are made of hydrogen and…
a. carbon dioxide.
b. helium.
c. methane.
d. oxygen.
Identify the planets in order by their distance from the Sun.
_____ 25. Earth
A. 1
_____ 26. Jupiter
B. 2
_____ 27. Mars
C. 3
_____ 28. Mercury
D. 4
_____ 29. Neptune
E. 5
_____ 30. Saturn
F. 6
_____ 31. Uranus
G. 7
_____ 32. Venus
H. 8
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Rank the size of the planets in order from the largest to the smallest.
_____ 33. Earth
A. 1
_____ 34. Jupiter
B. 2
_____ 35. Mars
C. 3
_____ 36. Mercury
D. 4
_____ 37. Neptune
E. 5
_____ 38. Saturn
F. 6
_____ 39. Uranus
G. 7
_____ 40. Venus
H. 8
Classifying the Solar System
Introduction
Scientists classify planets in many different ways. Use information you gather from the Solar System Data Sheet to
make decisions on how you will classify the planets.
Identify which planets are inferior planets (planets whose orbits are inside the Asteroid Belt) and which planets are
superior planets (planets whose orbits are outside the Asteroid Belt).
_____ 1. Earth
A. Inferior Planet
_____ 2. Jupiter
B. Superior Planet
_____ 3. Mars
_____ 4. Mercury
_____ 5. Neptune
_____ 6. Saturn
_____ 7. Uranus
_____ 8. Venus
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Identify which planets are rocky planets and which planets are gas giants. `.
_____ 9. Earth
A. Rocky planet
_____ 10. Jupiter
B. Gas giant
_____ 11. Mars
_____ 12. Mercury
_____ 13. Neptune
_____ 14. Saturn
_____ 15. Uranus
_____ 16. Venus
Identify which planets are classical planets (can be seen without a telescope) and which are modern planets (cannot
be seen without a telescope).
_____ 17. Jupiter
A. Classical planet
_____ 18. Mars
B. Modern planet
_____ 19. Mercury
_____ 20. Neptune
_____ 21. Saturn
_____ 22. Uranus
_____ 23. Venus
Venus and Uranus – The Strange Twins
Venus and Uranus are very far apart. One is made of rock and one is a gas giant. But, these two planets share one
thing in common. They both rotate backwards.
Almost all objects in the Solar System (Sun, moons, planets, asteroids, etc.) rotate counterclockwise. Six of the
planets rotate counterclockwise. What happened to these two planets? To answer that question, we have to go
back to the beginning of the Solar System.
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
While the planets were forming, more than our eight planets formed in the
early history of the Solar System. Large bodies formed, but were in
unstable orbits around the Sun. Many collisions between the large bodies
occurred.
For example, Earth was hit by a body the size of Mars. The result of the
collision was the Earth’s axis being tilted 23.5o and the formation of the
Moon.
A large body also hit Venus. The collision was so violent, it knocked Venus upside down. The North Pole of
Venus points south and the South Pole of Venus points north. If you were on Venus, the Sun would rise in the
west and set in the east. On Earth, the Sun rises in the East and sets in the west.
South Pole
North Pole
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
This is why Venus rotates backwards. A collision with a large body
knocked it upside down!
The same thing happened to Uranus. A large body collided with Uranus.
Instead of knocking Uranus upside down, it knocked Uranus on its side.
The North Pole points below what appears to be Uranus’s equator and the South Pole points above what appears
to be Uranus’s equator.
NORTH POLE
SOUTH POLE
SOUTH POLE
NORTH POLE
Uranus also appears to rotate backwards (clockwise).
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Venus and Uranus – The Strange Twins
After reading the short article, answer the questions.
1. In which direction to almost all of the objects in the Solar System rotate?
a. Clockwise
b. Counterclockwise
2. Which two planets orbit clockwise?
a. Mercury and Venus
b. Earth and Uranus
c. Mars and Neptune
d. Venus and Uranus
3. What happened to cause these planets to rotate clockwise?
a. That’s the way they always rotated.
b. They originally rotate counterclockwise, stopped, and began to rotate
clockwise.
c. They were hit by large bodies in the early history of the Solar System.
d. All of the above.
4. In what direction does Venus’s North Pole point?
a. East
b. North
c. South
d. West
5. When the object hit Uranus, what happened?
a. It caused Uranus to flip upside down.
b. It knocked Uranus on its side.
c. It almost destroyed Uranus.
6. On Venus in which direction would the Sun appear to rise and set?
a. Rise in the west, set in the east.
b. Rise in the north, set in the south.
c. Rise in the east, set in the west.
d. Rise in the south, set in the north.
The Star Witness News – Mars – Up Close and Personal
1. Mars is called the ________________ planet.
a. blue
b. green
c. red
d. violet
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
2. Mars was named after the ________________ god of war.
a. Assyrian
b. Aztec
c. Greek
d. Roman
3. The surface area of Mars is about the same as the land areas on Earth.
a. True
b. False
4. This area of Mars is shaped like a shark-fin.
a. Syrtis Major
b. Olympus Mons
c. Hellas Basin
d. Elysium Planita
5. This is the largest volcano in the Solar System.
a. Elysium Mons
b. Tharsis Mons
c. Olympus Mons
d. Nix Olympia
6. This is known as the “Eye of Mars.”
a. Arcadia Dorsa
b. Solis Lacus
c. Gordii Dorsum
d. Samara Vallis
7. The southern polar ice cap is made up of… (There are two or more answers to this question.)
a. frozen carbon dioxide.
b. sodium chloride.
c. liquid nitrogen.
d. water ice.
8. These are responsible for creating pockmarks and craters similar to those on the Moon.
a. Meteoroids
b. Meteors
c. Meteorites
9. Like Earth, Mars has a lot of water.
a. True
b. False
10. Earth makes about how many trips around the Sun in the same amount of time it takes Mars to make one trip?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
11. When is the next year Mars will come as close to the Earth as it was in 2003?
a. 2043
b. 2119
c. 2287
d. 2369
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
No Spring Picnic on Neptune
1. What is Neptune’s temperature in the “springtime?”
a. 400o F.
b. 100o F.
c. – 250o F.
d. – 400o F.
2. Fierce winds on Neptune can reach up to ____________ mph. (Enter a number.)
3. The Sun is ____________ times dimmer than it is on Earth. (Enter a number.)
4. Neptune’s clouds in the southern hemisphere have increased in brightness over a six year period. Why?
a. Neptune is moving farther from the Sun.
b. Neptune is moving closer to the Sun.
c. The Sun is warming the southern hemisphere more than the northern
hemisphere.
d. The Sun is warming the northern hemisphere more than the southern
hemisphere.
5. Neptune is about ____________ times farther from the Sun than Earth. (Enter a number.)
6. It takes Neptune ____________ years to complete one orbit of the Sun; Neptune’s seasons are ____________
years long. (There are two or more answers to this question.)
a. 20
b. 30
c. 40
d. 50
e. 12
f. 29
g. 86
h. 165
7. Like the Earth’s, Neptune’s ____________ is responsible for its seasons.
a. distance
b. tilt
c. length of day
d. rotation
8. Neptune’s axis is tilted ____________o.
a. 23.5
b. 29.6
c. 53.2
d. 126
9. What happens when the southern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun?
a. It receives more sunlight than the northern hemisphere.
b. It receives less sunlight than the northern hemisphere.
c. It receives the same amount of light as the northern hemisphere.
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Match the angle of tilt with the planet.
_____10. Earth
A. 0o
_____11. Jupiter
B. 3.1o
_____12. Mars
C. 23.5o
_____13. Mercury
D. 24o
_____14. Neptune
E. 26.7o
_____15. Pluto
F. 29.6o
_____16. Saturn
G. 97.9o
_____17. Uranus
H. 118o
_____18. Venus
I. 177.4o
History of Saturn Discovery
(modified from Cassini Educators Guide)
Procedure
1. Look at the group of the History of Discovery Cards. Make sure you understand the information on the cards.
2. Match the scientist with what he learned about Saturn or the space probe and what it discovered about Saturn.
____1. Cassini-Huygens
A. Second and third space probes to fly-by Saturn; made major discoveries about Saturn.
____2. Christiaan Huygens
B. Large telescope orbiting Earth; has been used to study Saturn.
____3. Galileo Galilee
C. Identified Saturn's rings; discovered the moon Titan.
____4. Gerard Kuiper
D. Found a gap in Saturn's rings; gap named after this astronomer.
____5. Hubble Space Telescope
E. First to observe Saturn with a telescope; saw rings but didn’t know what they were.
____6. James Keeler
F. First space probe to fly by Saturn.
____7. Jean-Dominque Cassini
G. First probe to orbit Saturn; Huygens probe landed on surface of Titan.
____8. Pioneer 11
H. Discovered Saturn's moons Mimas and Enceladus.
____9. Voyagers 1 & 2
I. Discovered Saturn's moon Titan had an atmosphere.
____10. William Herschel
J. Discovered Encke's Gap in the A-ring; determined Saturn's rings were not solid but individual
particles.
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Saturn System Scavenger Hunt
Part 1 of 4
Use the information in the assembled Saturn System Diagram scale model to find answers to the following
questions. In Sections A and B below, use the space provided to create two or three of your own questions. You
must be able to answer the questions using the diagram.
Section A: Rings and Gaps
Saturn’s rings are not solid, but are composed of many chunks of ice and rock that range in size from a grain of
sand to a house. The names of the rings in the order they appear from the cloud tops of Saturn outward toward the
moon Titan are:
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Ring
_____1. A
Order
A. 1
_____2. B
B. 2
_____3. C
C. 3
_____4. D
D. 4
_____5. E
E. 5
_____6. F
F. 6
_____7. G
G. 7
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
8. Jean-Dominique Cassini is the person who discovered a division (gap) in Saturn’s rings in 1659. The _______
and _______ rings are on either side of the Cassini Division. (There are two answers to this question.)
a. A
e. E
b. B
f. F
c. C
g. G
d. D
9. The narrowest rings by far are the _______ ring and the ______ ring. (There are two answers to this
question.)
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
f. F
g. G
Part 2 of 4
Section B: Moons
10. There are ____ (a number) moons orbiting Saturn at distances closer to the planet than the G ring.
11. There are ____ (a number) moons orbiting Saturn at distances farther from the planet than the G ring. (HINT:
Don’t forget to count the moons that are farther away than Titan. All of Saturn’s moons, except the two most
distant ones, orbit Saturn in the same plane as the rings.)
12. The farthest moon from Saturn is actually orbiting very slowly in the opposite direction from all the other
moons and ring particles. It may be an asteroid captured by Saturn’s gravity. The Cassini spacecraft will investigate
this possibility. This moon is called ___________.
a. Janus
b. Phoebe
c. Rhea
d. Tethys
Section C: Relationships and Interactions
13. __________ is the force that holds the moons and the ring particles in orbit around Saturn.
a. Gravity
b. Magnetism
c. Strong nuclear force
d. Weak nuclear force
14. The widest ring of Saturn has a moon called Enceladus orbiting where the ring is densest. Enceladus may have
ice volcanoes that supply the _______E ring with small ice particles. Cassini will observe Enceladus to see if the
science instruments on board can detect any ice volcanoes.
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
f. F
g. G
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Part 3 of 4
15. The ______ ring has a gap near its outer edge caused by the tiny moon named Pan. Cassini may discover other
moons like Pan that orbit within the A and B rings.
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
f. F
g. G
16. The narrow _______ ring is held together (“shepherded”) by the gravity of the moons Prometheus and
Pandora, which orbit on either side of the ring.
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
f. F
g. G
17. The tiny moons Janus and Epimetheus are between the ______ ring and the ______ ring. The gravitational
forces between these small, odd-shaped moons cause them to trade orbits with one another.
a. A
b. B
c. C
d. D
e. E
f. F
g. G
Section D: Compare the Size of Earth with the Size of Saturn
For the following, make measurements to the nearest millimeter wherever possible.
18. Measure the scaled diameter of the Earth on the Saturn System Diagram: __________ cm (a number).
19. Use your measurement to compute the diameter of Earth:
__________ cm* x 5,000 km/cm = ______________ km (a number).
(scaled diameter)
x 5,000 km/cm = (actual diameter)
*Answer from question 18.
20. Measure the scaled radius of Saturn on the Saturn System Diagram: _______ cm (a number).
21. Use your measurement to compute the actual radius of Saturn:
__________ cm* x 5,000 km/cm = _____________ km (a number)
(scaled radius)
x 5,000 km/cm = (actual radius)
*Answer from question 20.
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Part 4 of 4
22. What is the actual diameter of Saturn?
o Actual diameter of Saturn = 2 × (radius of Saturn) = __________ km (a number).
23. Compare the diameter of Saturn with the diameter of Earth by dividing Saturn’s diameter by Earth’s diameter.
o Saturn diameter = ________________; Earth diameter = 12,500 km.
o Divide Saturn diameter by Earth diameter
____________  ________________ = ________________ (a number)
Saturn Diameter
Earth Diameter
Times larger than Earth’s
diameter
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Kids Discover Planets Worksheet - Key
B 1. Earth
A 2. Jupiter
B 3. Mars
B 4. Mercury
A 5. Neptune
A 6. Saturn
A 7. Uranus
B 8. Venus
9. How are Ceres and Pluto alike?
b. They are both dwarf planets.
10. What causes the surface of Mercury to fold like the skin of a dry apple?
c. The slight shrinking of the planet as its iron core cools.
11. What is the largest known surface feature of Mercury?
c. Caloris Basin
12. How was the Caloris Basin on Mercury formed?
d. By an asteroid.
13. What is a likely reason for Venus being hotter than Mercury?
a. Because carbon dioxide traps the Sun’s heat.
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
14. Which country landed a probe on the surface of Venus?
c. Soviet Union
15. Why can’t we see the surface of Venus?
b. It is covered by clouds.
16. How is Mars like Earth?
d. It has seasons.
17. The largest volcano in the Solar System is found on Mars. What is its name?
c. Olympus Mons
18. Which of Jupiter’s moons may have life in its buried ocean?
b. Europa
19. Which of Jupiter’s moons has active volcanoes?
a. Io
20. What is the Great Red Spot?
d. A gigantic storm.
21. For what is Saturn best known?
c. It’s rings
22. This moon of Saturn is larger than Mercury.
d. Titan
23. This moon is the coldest place in the Solar System.
d. Triton
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Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
24. Uranus’s and Neptune’s atmospheres are made of hydrogen and…
c. methane.
C 25. Earth
E 26. Jupiter
D 27. Mars
A 28. Mercury
H 29. Neptune
F 30. Saturn
G 31. Uranus
B 32. Venus
E 33. Earth
A 34. Jupiter
G 35. Mars
H 36. Mercury
D 37. Neptune
B 38. Saturn
C 39. Uranus
F 40. Venus
18 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Classifying the Solar System – Key
A 1. Earth
B 2. Jupiter
A 3. Mars
A 4. Mercury
B 5. Neptune
B 6. Saturn
B 7. Uranus
A 8. Venus
A 9. Earth
B 10. Jupiter
A 11. Mars
A 12. Mercury
B 13. Neptune
B 14. Saturn
B 15. Uranus
A 16. Venus
A 17. Jupiter
A 18. Mars
19 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
A 19. Mercury
B 20. Neptune
A 21. Saturn
B 22. Uranus
B 23. Venus
Venus and Uranus – The Strange Twins Key
1. In which direction to almost all of the objects in the Solar System rotate?
a. Counterclockwise
2. Which two planets orbit clockwise?
d. Venus and Uranus
3. What happened to cause these planets to rotate clockwise?
4. In what direction does Venus’s North Pole point?
c. South
5. When the object hit Uranus, what happened?
b. It knocked Uranus on its side.
6. Does Uranus’s South Pole appear to point above or below Uranus’s equator?
20 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
a. Above
The Star Witness News – Mars – Up Close and Personal – Key
1. Mars is called the ________________ planet.
c. red
2. Mars was named after the ________________ god of war.
d. Roman
3. The surface area of Mars is about the same as the land areas on Earth.
a. True
4. This area of Mars is shaped like a shark-fin.
a. Syrtis Major
5. This is the largest volcano in the Solar System.
c. Olympus Mons
6. This is known as the “Eye of Mars.”
b. Solis Lacus
7. The southern polar ice cap is made up of… (There are two or more answers to this
question.)
a. frozen carbon dioxide, d water ice
8. These are responsible for creating pockmarks and craters similar to those on the Moon.
a. Meteoroids
21 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
9. Like Earth, Mars has a lot of water.
b. False
10. Earth makes about how many trips around the Sun in the same amount of time it takes Mars
to make one trip?
b. 2
11. When is the next year Mars will come as close to the Earth as it was in 2003?
c. 2287
No Spring Picnic on Neptune
1. What is Neptune’s temperature in the “springtime?”
d. – 400o F.
2. Fierce winds on Neptune can reach up to ____________ mph. (Enter a number.)
900
3. The Sun is ____________ time dimmer than it is on Earth. (Enter a number.)
900
4. Neptune’s clouds in the southern hemisphere have increased in brightness over a six year
period. Why?
c. The Sun is warming the southern hemisphere more than the northern hemisphere.
5. Neptune is about ____________ time farther from the Sun than Earth.
30
22 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
6. It takes Neptune ____________ years to complete one orbit of the Sun; Neptune’s seasons
are ____________ years long. (There are two or more answers to this question.)
h. 165; c. 40
7. Like the Earth’s, Neptune’s ____________ is responsible for its seasons.
b. tilt
8. Neptune’s axis is tilted ____________o.
b. 29.6
9. What happens when the southern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun?
a. It receives more sunlight than the northern hemisphere.
C 10. Earth
B 11. Jupiter
D 12. Mars
A 13. Mercury
F 14. Neptune
G 15. Pluto
E 16. Saturn
H 17. Uranus
I 18. Venus
History of Saturn Discovery – Key
G 1. Cassini-Huygens
23 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
C 2. Christiaan Huygens
E 3. Galileo Galilee
I 4. Gerard Kuiper
B 5. Hubble Space Telescope
J 6. James Keeler
D 7. Jean-Dominque Cassini
F 8. Pioneer 10
A 9. Voyagers 1 & 2
H 10. William Herschel
Saturn System Scavenger Hunt – Key
Section A: Rings and Gaps
Saturn’s rings are not solid, but are composed of many chunks of ice and rock that range in size
from a grain of sand to a house. The names of the rings in the order they appear from the cloud
tops of Saturn outward toward the moon Titan are:
1. D (7 choices)
2. C (7 choices)
3. B (7 choices)
4. A (7 choices)
5. G (7 choices)
6. E (7 choices)
7. F (7 choices)
8. Jean-Dominique Cassini is the person who discovered a division (gap) in Saturn’s rings in
1659. The _______ and _______ rings are on either side of the Cassini Division. (There are
two answers to this question.)
24 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
a. A; b. B
9. The narrowest rings by far are the _______ ring and the ______ ring. (There are two
answers to this question.)
f. F; g. G
Section B: Moons
10. There are ____ (a number) moons orbiting Saturn at distances closer to the planet than the G
ring.
6
11. There are ____ (a number) moons orbiting Saturn at distances farther from the planet than
the G ring. (HINT: Don’t forget to count the moons that are farther away than Titan. All of
Saturn’s moons, except the two most distant ones, orbit Saturn in the same plane as the rings.)
12
12. The farthest moon from Saturn is actually orbiting very slowly in the opposite direction
from all the other moons and ring particles. It may be an asteroid captured by Saturn’s gravity.
The Cassini spacecraft will investigate this possibility. This moon is called ___________.
a. Phoebe
Section C: Relationships and Interactions
13. __________ is the force that holds the moons and the ring particles in orbit around Saturn.
a. Gravity
14. The widest ring of Saturn has a moon called Enceladus orbiting where the ring is densest.
Enceladus may have ice volcanoes that supply the _______E ring with small ice particles.
Cassini will observe Enceladus to see if the science instruments on board can detect any ice
volcanoes.
25 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
e. E
Part 3 of 4
15. The ______ ring has a gap near its outer edge caused by the tiny moon named Pan. Cassini
may discover other moons like Pan that orbit within the A and B rings.
a. A
16. The narrow _______ ring is held together (“shepherded”) by the gravity of the moons
Prometheus and Pandora, which orbit on either side of the ring.
f. F
17. The tiny moons Janus and Epimetheus are between the ______ ring and the ______ ring.
The gravitational forces between these small, odd-shaped moons cause them to trade orbits with
one another.
f. F, g. G
Section D: Compare the Size of Earth with the Size of Saturn
For the following, make measurements to the nearest millimeter wherever possible.
18. Measure the scaled diameter of the Earth on the Saturn System Diagram: __________ cm
(a number).
2.5
18. 2.5
19. Use your measurement to compute the diameter of Earth:
12,500
26 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
20. Measure the scaled radius of Saturn on the Saturn System Diagram: _______ cm (a
number).
12
21. Use your measurement to compute the actual radius of Saturn:
60,000
Part 4 of 4
22. What is the actual diameter of Saturn?
120,000
23. Compare the diameter of Saturn with the diameter of Earth by dividing Saturn’s diameter by
Earth’s diameter.
9.6
27 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Kids Discover Planets Worksheet - Key
B 1. Earth
A 2. Jupiter
B 3. Mars
B 4. Mercury
A 5. Neptune
A 6. Saturn
A 7. Uranus
B 8. Venus
9. How are Ceres and Pluto alike?
b. They are both dwarf planets.
10. What causes the surface of Mercury to fold like the skin of a dry apple?
c. The slight shrinking of the planet as its iron core cools.
11. What is the largest known surface feature of Mercury?
c. Caloris Basin
12. How was the Caloris Basin on Mercury formed?
d. By an asteroid.
13. What is a likely reason for Venus being hotter than Mercury?
a. Because carbon dioxide traps the Sun’s heat.
28 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
14. Which country landed a probe on the surface of Venus?
c. Soviet Union
15. Why can’t we see the surface of Venus?
b. It is covered by clouds.
16. How is Mars like Earth?
d. It has seasons.
17. The largest volcano in the Solar System is found on Mars. What is its name?
c. Olympus Mons
18. Which of Jupiter’s moons may have life in its buried ocean?
b. Europa
19. Which of Jupiter’s moons has active volcanoes?
a. Io
20. What is the Great Red Spot?
d. A gigantic storm.
21. For what is Saturn best known?
c. It’s rings
22. This moon of Saturn is larger than Mercury.
d. Titan
23. This moon is the coldest place in the Solar System.
d. Triton
29 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
24. Uranus’s and Neptune’s atmospheres are made of hydrogen and…
c. methane.
C 25. Earth
E 26. Jupiter
D 27. Mars
A 28. Mercury
H 29. Neptune
F 30. Saturn
G 31. Uranus
B 32. Venus
E 33. Earth
A 34. Jupiter
G 35. Mars
H 36. Mercury
D 37. Neptune
B 38. Saturn
C 39. Uranus
F 40. Venus
30 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Classifying the Solar System – Key
A 1. Earth
B 2. Jupiter
A 3. Mars
A 4. Mercury
B 5. Neptune
B 6. Saturn
B 7. Uranus
A 8. Venus
A 9. Earth
B 10. Jupiter
A 11. Mars
A 12. Mercury
B 13. Neptune
B 14. Saturn
B 15. Uranus
A 16. Venus
A 17. Jupiter
A 18. Mars
31 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
A 19. Mercury
B 20. Neptune
A 21. Saturn
B 22. Uranus
B 23. Venus
32 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Kids Discover Planets Worksheet – Scoring Guide
1. B (2 choices)
2. A (2 choices)
3. B (2 choices)
4. B (2 choices)
5. A (2 choices)
6. A (2 choices)
7. A (2 choices)
8. B (2 choices)
9. b
10. c
11. c
12. d
13. a
14. c
15. b
16. d
17. c
18. b
19. a
20. d
21. c
22. d
23. d
24. c
25. C (8 choices)
26. E (8 choices)
27. D (8 choices)
28. A (8 choices)
29. H (8 choices)
30. F (8 choices)
31. G (8 choices)
32. B (8 choices)
33. E (8 choices)
34. A (8 choices)
35. G (8 choices)
36. H (8 choices)
37. D (8 choices)
38. B (8 choices)
39. C (8 choices)
40. F (8 choices)
Scoring Guide
36-40 – 3
31-35 – 2.5
23-30 – 2
13-22 – 1.5
6-12 – 1
1-5 – .5
0–0
33 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Classifying the Solar System – Scoring Guide
1. A (2 choices)
2. B (2 choices)
3. A (2 choices)
4. A (2 choices)
5. B (2 choices)
6. B (2 choices)
7. B (2 choices)
8. A (2 choices)
9. A (2 choices)
10. B (2 choices)
11. A (2 choices)
12. A (2 choices)
13. B (2 choices)
14. B (2 choices)
15. B (2 choices)
16. A (2 choices)
17. A (2 choices)
18. A (2 choices)
19. A (2 choices)
20. B (2 choices)
21. A (2 choices)
22. B (2 choices)
23. B (2 choices)
Scoring Guide
21-23 – 3
18-20 – 2.5
14-17 – 2
8-13 – 1.5
5-7 – 1
1-4 – .5
0–0
34 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Venus and Uranus – The Strange Twins – Scoring Guide
1. a
2. d
3. c
4. c
5. b (3 choices)
6. a (2 choices)
Scoring Guide
6–3
5 – 2.5
4–2
3 – 1.5
2–1
1 – .5
0–0
35 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
The Star Witness News – Mars – Up Close and Personal – Scoring
Guide
1. c
2. d
3. a (2 choices)
4. a
5. c
6. b
7. a, b
8. a (3 choices)
9. b (2 choices)
10. b
11. c
Scoring Guide
11 – 4
9-10 – 3
7-8 – 2.5
5-6 – 2
4 – 1.5
3–1
1-2 – .5
0–0
36 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
No Spring Picnic on Neptune – Scoring Guide
1. d
2. 900
3. 900
4. c
5. 30
6. c, h (8 choices)
7. b
8. b
9. a (3 choices)
10. C (9 choices)
11. B (9 choices)
12. D (9 choices)
13. A (9 choices)
14. F (9 choices)
15. G (9 choices)
16. E (9 choices)
17. H (9 choices)
18. I (9 choices)
Scoring Guide
17-18 – 4
15-16 – 3.5
12-14 – 3
10-11 – 2.5
8-9 – 2
6-7 – 1.5
4-5 – 1
1-3 – .5
0–0
37 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
History of Saturn Discovery – Scoring Guide
1. G (10 choices)
2. C (10 choices)
3. E (10 choices)
4. I (10 choices)
5. B (10 choices)
6. J (10 choices)
7. D (10 choices)
8. F (10 choices)
9. A (10 choices)
10. H (10 choices)
Scoring Guide
9-10 – 3
7-8 – 2.5
5-6 – 2
4 – 1.5
3–1
1-2 – .5
0–0
38 | P a g e
Objectives
 Describe and compare the components of the Solar System.
 Using references, compare the physical properties of the planets (e.g., size, solid or
gaseous).
Saturn System Scavenger Hunt – Scoring Guide
1. D (7 choices)
2. C (7 choices)
3. B (7 choices)
4. A (7 choices)
5. G (7 choices)
6. E (7 choices)
7. F (7 choices)
8. a, b (7
choices)
9. f, g
10. 6
11. 12
12. a
13. a
14. e (7 choices)
15. a (7 choices)
16. f (7 choices)
17. f, g
18. 2.5
19. 12,500
20. 12
21. 60,000
22. 120,000
23. 9.6
Scoring
Guide
21-23 – 4
17-20 – 3.5
14-16 – 3
12-13 – 2.5
10-11 – 2
6-9 – 1.5
4-5 – 1
1-3 – .5
0–0
39 | P a g e