Solar System Scavenger Hunt

Objective – After reading Kids Discover Solar System, I can identify facts about objects in the Solar System.

Name ______

Solar System Scavenger Hunt

Using Kids Discover Solar System magazine, complete the list below. Answers can befound in paragraphs, tables, and the captions for photographs. The means you will haveto read the magazine very carefully to find answers. Good Luck!

1. A very big system of stars. ______

2. A ball of ice, dust, rocks, and gas a few miles across. ______

3. Orbits a planet. Earth has one. ______

4. Third planet from the Sun. ______

5. Is not the hottest planet even though it is closest to the Sun. ______

6. Spacecraft that found a 4,200 mile channel on Venus. ______

7. These planets are spinning balls of rock. ______

8. After Earth, this is the most likely planet to have life. ______

9. A hole produced by the fall of a meteorite. ______

10. Hurricane-force dust storms whip around this planet. ______

11. The surface of the second planet from the Sun is so hot it will melt lead. ______

12. These are mostly atmosphere with very, very tiny cores. ______

13. These planets are big, swirling clouds of gas. ______

14. Of all the planets that have rings, this planet’s rings are the most stunning. ______

15. The eighth planet from the Sun. ______

16. Planet tilted on its side. ______

17. Was the ninth planet. Is now a dwarf planet. ______

18. Its orbit is long and skinny. ______

19. Forms on comets only when it is close to the Sun. ______

20. Left by a comet as it travels through space. Burns up in the atmosphere becoming a

meteor. ______

21. Space probe that discovered a moon (Dactyl) orbiting an asteroid (Ida). ______

Solar System Scavenger Hunt - Key

1. A very big system of stars. Galaxy

2. A ball of ice, dust, rocks, and gas a few miles across. Comet

3. Orbits a planet. Earth has one. Moon

4. Third planet from the Sun. Earth

5. Is not the hottest planet even though it is closest to the Sun. Mercury

6. Spacecraft that found a 4,200-mile channel on Venus. Magellan

7. These planets are spinning balls of rock. Rocky worlds (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars)

8. After Earth, this is the most likely planet to have life. Mars

9. A hole produced by the fall of a meteorite. Crater

10. Hurricane-force dust storms whip around this planet. Mars

11. The surface of the second planet from the Sun is so hot it will melt lead. Venus

12. These are mostly atmosphere with very, very tiny cores. Comet

13. These planets are big, swirling clouds of gas. Gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune)

14. Of all the planets that have rings, this planet’s rings are the most stunning. Saturn

15. The eighth planet from the Sun. Neptune

16. Planet tilted on its side. Uranus

17. Was the ninth planet. Is now a dwarf planet. Pluto

18. Its orbit is long and skinny. Comet

19. Forms on comets only when it is close to the Sun. Tail

20. Left by a comet as it travels through space. Burns up in the atmosphere becoming a

meteor. Meteoroid

21. Space probe that discovered a moon (Dactyl) orbiting an asteroid (Ida). Galileo