Seven Earth-Sized Worlds: TRAPPIST-1 Quiz

6th Grade

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| By Thames

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| Questions: 20 | Updated: Feb 16, 2026

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1. How many planets have been discovered in the TRAPPIST-1 system?

7 is the correct answer. All seven planets are roughly the size of Earth and are rocky, making this system a primary target for the search for life.

Explanation

7 is the correct answer. All seven planets are roughly the size of Earth and are rocky, making this system a primary target for the search for life.

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About This Quiz

Seven Earth-sized Worlds: Trappist-1 Quiz - Quiz

Explore a unique planetary system hosting seven Earth-sized worlds. This Trappist 1 Quiz tests your knowledge of these planets orbiting a cool red dwarf star. Learn about their tight orbits, potential for liquid water, and why this system is a primary target for the James Webb Space Telescope.

2. The TRAPPIST-1 star is much larger and hotter than our Sun.

True

False

False. TRAPPIST-1 is an "ultra-cool dwarf" star. It is only slightly larger than Jupiter and much cooler and redder than our Sun.

Explanation

False. TRAPPIST-1 is an "ultra-cool dwarf" star. It is only slightly larger than Jupiter and much cooler and redder than our Sun.

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3. The TRAPPIST-1 planets orbit so closely to their star that their "years" last only a few Earth ____.

Days is the correct answer. Because the star is so cool, the planets must orbit very closely to stay warm, with orbital periods ranging from about 1.5 to 19 Earth days.

Explanation

Days is the correct answer. Because the star is so cool, the planets must orbit very closely to stay warm, with orbital periods ranging from about 1.5 to 19 Earth days.

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4. Which of these facts are true about the TRAPPIST-1 planets?

They are all rocky

Three are in the habitable zone

They are gas giants

They orbit a red dwarf

Rocky, habitable zone, and red dwarf are the correct answers. Unlike our outer planets, none of the TRAPPIST-1 worlds are gas giants.

Explanation

Rocky, habitable zone, and red dwarf are the correct answers. Unlike our outer planets, none of the TRAPPIST-1 worlds are gas giants.

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5. What would the sky look like from the surface of a TRAPPIST-1 planet?

Completely black

Other planets would appear as large as our Moon

Only one star would be visible

It would look like Earth

Other planets would appear as large as our Moon is the correct answer. Because the planets are packed so closely together, the neighboring worlds would appear as huge, colorful disks in the sky.

Explanation

Other planets would appear as large as our Moon is the correct answer. Because the planets are packed so closely together, the neighboring worlds would appear as huge, colorful disks in the sky.

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6. The TRAPPIST-1 system is located in a different galaxy.

True

False

False. It is located within our own Milky Way galaxy, about 40 light-years away in the constellation Aquarius.

Explanation

False. It is located within our own Milky Way galaxy, about 40 light-years away in the constellation Aquarius.

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7. When a planet's rotation matches its orbit so one side always faces the star, it is ____ locked.

Tidally is the correct answer. Scientists believe most TRAPPIST-1 planets are tidally locked, meaning they have a permanent day side and a permanent night side.

Explanation

Tidally is the correct answer. Scientists believe most TRAPPIST-1 planets are tidally locked, meaning they have a permanent day side and a permanent night side.

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8. Why is TRAPPIST-1e considered one of the most "Earth-like" planets?

It has cities

It is in the habitable zone with a similar size

It is made of green cheese

It orbits the Sun

Habitable zone and size is the correct answer. TRAPPIST-1e is located right in the middle of the habitable zone, where temperatures could allow for liquid water and an atmosphere similar to Earth's.

Explanation

Habitable zone and size is the correct answer. TRAPPIST-1e is located right in the middle of the habitable zone, where temperatures could allow for liquid water and an atmosphere similar to Earth's.

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9. How did NASA discover the TRAPPIST-1 planets?

Using the Transit Method

Seeing them with binoculars

Spitzer Space Telescope

James Webb Telescope

Transit Method, Spitzer, and James Webb are the correct answers. They were found by measuring the dip in starlight as they passed in front of their star.

Explanation

Transit Method, Spitzer, and James Webb are the correct answers. They were found by measuring the dip in starlight as they passed in front of their star.

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10. What color is the light from the TRAPPIST-1 star?

Bright Blue

Salmon/Reddish-Orange

Neon Green

Pure White

Salmon/Reddish-Orange is the correct answer. Because it is an M-dwarf (red dwarf), the light it emits is much redder than the yellowish-white light of our Sun.

Explanation

Salmon/Reddish-Orange is the correct answer. Because it is an M-dwarf (red dwarf), the light it emits is much redder than the yellowish-white light of our Sun.

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11. If you lived on a TRAPPIST-1 planet, you would have a birthday every few days.

True

False

True. Since a "year" is defined by one full orbit around a star, and these planets orbit in 1.5 to 19 days, you would celebrate birthdays very frequently!

Explanation

True. Since a "year" is defined by one full orbit around a star, and these planets orbit in 1.5 to 19 days, you would celebrate birthdays very frequently!

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12. The TRAPPIST-1 system is a "compact" system, meaning it could fit inside the orbit of the planet ____.

Mercury is the correct answer. The entire seven-planet system is so small that it would easily fit within the innermost part of our solar system.

Explanation

Mercury is the correct answer. The entire seven-planet system is so small that it would easily fit within the innermost part of our solar system.

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13. What is the biggest threat to life on a TRAPPIST-1 planet?

Lack of sunlight

Intense solar flares from the red dwarf

Space pirates

The planets are too cold

Intense solar flares is the correct answer. Red dwarfs are known for frequent, powerful eruptions of radiation that could strip away a planet's atmosphere over time.

Explanation

Intense solar flares is the correct answer. Red dwarfs are known for frequent, powerful eruptions of radiation that could strip away a planet's atmosphere over time.

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14. What are scientists looking for in the atmospheres of these planets?

Water vapor

Oxygen

Carbon Dioxide

Gold dust

Water, Oxygen, and Carbon Dioxide are the correct answers. These are chemical "signatures" that could tell us if the planets are habitable or currently have life.

Explanation

Water, Oxygen, and Carbon Dioxide are the correct answers. These are chemical "signatures" that could tell us if the planets are habitable or currently have life.

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15. All seven planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system were discovered at the same time.

True

False

False. The first three were announced in 2016, and four more were discovered and announced in 2017 after more detailed observations.

Explanation

False. The first three were announced in 2016, and four more were discovered and announced in 2017 after more detailed observations.

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16. TRAPPIST-1 is named after the ____ located in Chile that first spotted the star.

Telescope is the correct answer. TRAPPIST stands for the "TRAnsiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope."

Explanation

Telescope is the correct answer. TRAPPIST stands for the "TRAnsiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope."

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17. How long would it take to reach TRAPPIST-1 with current rocket technology?

10 years

100 years

Hundreds of thousands of years

1 day

Hundreds of thousands of years is the correct answer. Even though 40 light-years is "close" in space terms, our current rockets are much too slow to reach it within a human lifetime.

Explanation

Hundreds of thousands of years is the correct answer. Even though 40 light-years is "close" in space terms, our current rockets are much too slow to reach it within a human lifetime.

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18. Why is the TRAPPIST-1 system so important for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope?

The star is dim enough to study planet atmospheres

There are many rocky targets

It is the closest star to Earth

It is in a different universe

Dim star and rocky targets are the correct answers. It is much easier to see the "air" of a planet when the star isn't so bright that it blinds the telescope.

Explanation

Dim star and rocky targets are the correct answers. It is much easier to see the "air" of a planet when the star isn't so bright that it blinds the telescope.

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19. If the planets are rocky and Earth-sized, what is likely true about their gravity?

They have no gravity

It is likely similar to Earth's gravity

It is 1,000 times stronger than Earth's

It pushes things away

Similar to Earth's gravity is the correct answer. Because their mass and size are close to Earth's, a human standing on TRAPPIST-1e would feel a pull very similar to what we feel here at home.

Explanation

Similar to Earth's gravity is the correct answer. Because their mass and size are close to Earth's, a human standing on TRAPPIST-1e would feel a pull very similar to what we feel here at home.

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