Earth’s Distant Cousin: Kepler-186f Quiz

  • 7th Grade
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| Questions: 20 | Updated: Feb 16, 2026
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1. What is the primary reason Kepler-186f is historically significant?

Explanation

First Earth-sized planet in a habitable zone is the correct answer. Before its discovery in 2014, most planets found in habitable zones were much larger "Super-Earths."

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About This Quiz
Earths Distant Cousin: Kepler-186f Quiz - Quiz

Investigate the first Earth-sized planet found in the habitable zone of another star. This Kepler 186f Quiz explores the "cousin to Earth" located 500 light-years away. Test your knowledge of its orbit around a red dwarf and what its discovery means for the search for life.

2. Kepler-186f is likely a gas giant like Neptune.

Explanation

False. Because it is only 1.1 times the size of Earth, scientists strongly believe it is a rocky, terrestrial planet with a solid surface.

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3. The star Kepler-186 is classified as a ____ dwarf, which is cooler and smaller than our Sun.

Explanation

Red (or M-dwarf) is the correct answer. These stars are the most common in our galaxy and live for trillions of years.

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4. Which of these characteristics are shared by both Earth and Kepler-186f?

Explanation

Rocky, Habitable Zone, and Size are the correct answers. However, they orbit different stars—Earth orbits the Sun, while 186f orbits a red dwarf.

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5. If you stood on Kepler-186f at noon, how bright would the star look compared to our Sun?

Explanation

Sun one hour before sunset is the correct answer. Because the star is dimmer than our Sun, the planet receives about one-third the energy Earth does.

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6. One "year" on Kepler-186f lasts approximately 130 Earth days.

Explanation

True. Because it orbits a cooler star, it must be closer than Earth is to stay warm, resulting in a much shorter orbital period.

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7. The region around a star where liquid water can exist is often called the "____ Zone."

Explanation

Goldilocks is the correct answer. It refers to the temperature being "not too hot and not too cold" for liquid water.

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8. How far away is Kepler-186f from Earth?

Explanation

500 light-years is the correct answer. This distance makes it impossible to visit with current technology, as it would take millions of years to reach.

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9. Why is it difficult for telescopes like James Webb (JWST) to see Kepler-186f's atmosphere?

Explanation

Distance, dim star, and small size are the correct answers. Small rocky planets at great distances are currently at the edge of what our best telescopes can detect.

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10. How was Kepler-186f discovered?

Explanation

Transit Method is the correct answer. The Kepler telescope watched for the tiny dip in starlight as the planet passed in front of its star.

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11. Kepler-186f is the only planet in its system.

Explanation

False. There are four other planets (186b, c, d, and e) in the system, but they all orbit too close to the star to be habitable.

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12. Kepler-186f receives about ____ percent of the sunlight that Earth receives.

Explanation

32% is the correct answer. This puts it on the outer edge of the habitable zone, meaning it might be a cold, snowy world.

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13. If Kepler-186f has an Earth-like atmosphere, its sunrises would look:

Explanation

More red/orange is the correct answer. Because its star emits less blue light than our Sun, the atmospheric scattering would enhance red tones.

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14. What ingredients are necessary for "habitability" as we know it?

Explanation

Water, Surface, and Atmosphere are the correct answers. Kepler-186f has the right size and distance to potentially have all three.

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15. We have confirmed that there is life on Kepler-186f.

Explanation

False. While it has the potential for habitability, we do not have any evidence of life or even liquid water yet.

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16. Scientists determine the size of Kepler-186f by measuring how much starlight it blocks, a technique known as ____.

Explanation

The Transit Method is the correct answer. By measuring the "dip" in a star's brightness, astronomers can calculate the planet's radius. For Kepler-186f, this dip is tiny because the planet is roughly Earth-sized.

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17. What would likely happen if you tried to live on the "day side" of a tidally locked planet?

Explanation

Extreme weather is the correct answer. While we aren't sure if 186f is tidally locked, many planets close to red dwarfs are, creating permanent day and night sides.

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18. Which of these stars are cooler than our Sun?

Explanation

Red Dwarfs and White Dwarfs are generally cooler (though white dwarfs vary). Blue giants are much hotter.

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19. Kepler-186f is located in which constellation?

Explanation

Cygnus is the correct answer. This area of the sky was the primary focus of the original Kepler mission.

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20. Gravity on Kepler-186f would be exactly the same as on Earth.

Explanation

False. Since it is slightly larger (1.1x Earth), its gravity would likely be about 17% stronger than what we feel on Earth.

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What is the primary reason Kepler-186f is historically significant?
Kepler-186f is likely a gas giant like Neptune.
The star Kepler-186 is classified as a ____ dwarf, which is cooler and...
Which of these characteristics are shared by both Earth and...
If you stood on Kepler-186f at noon, how bright would the star look...
One "year" on Kepler-186f lasts approximately 130 Earth days.
The region around a star where liquid water can exist is often called...
How far away is Kepler-186f from Earth?
Why is it difficult for telescopes like James Webb (JWST) to see...
How was Kepler-186f discovered?
Kepler-186f is the only planet in its system.
Kepler-186f receives about ____ percent of the sunlight that Earth...
If Kepler-186f has an Earth-like atmosphere, its sunrises would look:
What ingredients are necessary for "habitability" as we know it?
We have confirmed that there is life on Kepler-186f.
Scientists determine the size of Kepler-186f by measuring how much...
What would likely happen if you tried to live on the "day side" of a...
Which of these stars are cooler than our Sun?
Kepler-186f is located in which constellation?
Gravity on Kepler-186f would be exactly the same as on Earth.
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