Astronomy Practice Exam

Which planet is the eighth from the sun?

1. Uranus

2. Saturn

3. Neptune

4. Pluto

The correct answer is: Neptune

The eighth planet from the Sun is Neptune. In our solar system, the planets are arranged in order of their distance from the Sun starting with Mercury as the first. After Mercury, the order continues: Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and finally Neptune. Neptune is often characterized by its deep blue color, which is primarily due to the absorption of red light by methane in its atmosphere. It is also known for its strong winds and storms, the most famous being the Great Dark Spot. Pluto, which is sometimes mentioned due to its historical status as the ninth planet, is no longer classified as one of the primary planets in the solar system since it was redefined as a "dwarf planet" by the International Astronomical Union in 2006. Therefore, it is not considered in the ranking of the eight primary planets in terms of distance from the Sun. Uranus, being the seventh planet from the Sun, and Saturn, the sixth, are not the eighth either. Hence, the correct identification of the eighth planet, Neptune, aligns with the established order of the solar system's planetary bodies.