Q 01/05

Where does Uranus rank in distance from the Sun?

A) Fifth

B) Sixth

C) Seventh

D) Eighth

Answer · why

C) Seventh

Seventh. It orbits about twice as far out as the sixth planet, so its discovery in 1781 roughly doubled the width of the known Solar System.

Q 02/05

Uranus was the first planet to be discovered with the help of what?

A) A calculation

B) A telescope

C) A photograph

D) A space probe

Answer · why

B) A telescope

A telescope. The astronomer who found it built his own, and in 1781 it showed him a faint object creeping against the background stars from night to n...

Q 03/05

What did Herschel first report his new object to be?

A) A double star

B) An asteroid

C) A nova

D) A comet

Answer · why

D) A comet

A comet. He kept calling it one for months, but its nearly circular path convinced other astronomers it was a planet, and by 1783 he agreed.

Q 04/05

What name did Herschel want to give Uranus, in honour of his royal patron?

A) Sidus Britannicum (Britain's Star)

B) Georgium Sidus (George's Star)

C) Stella Regis (King's Star)

D) Sidus Hanoverae (Hanover's Star)

Answer · why

B) Georgium Sidus (George's Star)

Georgium Sidus, or George's Star. Herschel reasoned the name would tell future ages that the planet first came to light in the reign of George III.

Q 05/05

In myth Jupiter was Saturn's son, so Bode named the next planet after Saturn's what?

A) Brother

B) Uncle

C) Father

D) Grandson

Answer · why

C) Father

Father. Bode wanted the new planet to extend the mythological family line outward from Jupiter, and by about 1850 his name had displaced every rival.