Stars and The Solar System – MCQs with Answers and Explanations

CBSE Class 8 Science – Chapter 17: Stars and the Solar System | 50 MCQs with Answers & Explanations

CBSE Class 8 Science – Chapter 17: Stars and the Solar System (50 MCQs)

Class: 8

Subject: Science

Chapter: 17 – Stars and the Solar System

These Multiple Choice Questions are designed strictly as per the NCERT Class 8 Science textbook, presented in a systematic, topic-wise order for CBSE Board Examination style practice.

Topic-wise MCQs with Answers and Explanations

This set of 50 topic-wise MCQs from Chapter 17 – Stars and the Solar System includes answer keys and concept-clearing explanations to support thorough NCERT-based revision for CBSE Class 8 students.

Topic 1

Night Sky and Celestial Objects

Q1. Celestial objects are:

(A) Only the Sun and Moon
(B) Only stars in the sky
(C) All natural objects seen in the sky
(D) Only planets and satellites

Correct Answer: (C) All natural objects seen in the sky

Explanation: Celestial objects include the Sun, Moon, stars, planets, comets, asteroids etc. All are natural objects visible in the sky, so option (C) is correct.

Q2. The branch of science that studies stars, planets and other celestial objects is called:

(A) Geology
(B) Astronomy
(C) Biology
(D) Astrology

Correct Answer: (B) Astronomy

Explanation: Astronomy deals with scientific study of celestial objects. Astrology is a belief system, not a scientific branch of study.

Q3. Which of the following is not a celestial object?

(A) Moon
(B) Aeroplane
(C) Sun
(D) Jupiter

Correct Answer: (B) Aeroplane

Explanation: Celestial objects are natural. An aeroplane is man-made, so it is not a celestial object, while Moon, Sun and Jupiter are natural space objects.

Q4. Stars appear like tiny points of light mainly because:

(A) They are very small
(B) They are very far away
(C) They do not have their own light
(D) They are covered by clouds

Correct Answer: (B) They are very far away

Explanation: Stars are actually huge, but due to their very large distance from Earth, they look like tiny points of light.

Q5. Why are most stars not visible during the day?

(A) They disappear in the daytime
(B) They are behind the Moon
(C) Their light is hidden by the bright scattered sunlight
(D) They are too cold in the day

Correct Answer: (C) Their light is hidden by the bright scattered sunlight

Explanation: Sunlight scattered by the atmosphere makes the sky bright, so the faint light of distant stars cannot be seen in daytime.

Q6. The nearest star to the Earth is:

(A) Pole Star
(B) Sirius
(C) Sun
(D) Jupiter

Correct Answer: (C) Sun

Explanation: The Sun is our nearest star. Other stars like Sirius are much farther away.

Topic 2

Stars, Constellations and the Pole Star

Q7. A star is best described as:

(A) A cold rocky body
(B) A huge ball of hot glowing gases
(C) A small piece of rock
(D) A man-made object in orbit

Correct Answer: (B) A huge ball of hot glowing gases

Explanation: Stars are very large balls of hot gases (mainly hydrogen and helium) that emit their own light and heat.

Q8. A group of stars forming a recognizable pattern in the sky is called a:

(A) Galaxy
(B) Constellation
(C) Asteroid
(D) Cluster

Correct Answer: (B) Constellation

Explanation: A constellation is a group of stars that seem to form a pattern like a figure or object, for example Ursa Major or Orion.

Q9. The constellation that looks like a big ladle or question mark is:

(A) Orion
(B) Cassiopeia
(C) Ursa Major
(D) Scorpius

Correct Answer: (C) Ursa Major

Explanation: Ursa Major, also called Great Bear or Big Dipper, appears like a large ladle made of seven bright stars.

Q10. The constellation that looks like a hunter with a belt of three stars in a line is:

(A) Orion
(B) Ursa Minor
(C) Leo
(D) Gemini

Correct Answer: (A) Orion

Explanation: Orion is called The Hunter and has three bright stars forming a straight line known as Orion’s belt.

Q11. The Pole Star is important because it:

(A) Changes colour rapidly
(B) Appears almost fixed in the sky
(C) Is the brightest star
(D) Is closest to the Earth

Correct Answer: (B) Appears almost fixed in the sky

Explanation: The Pole Star lies close to the Earth’s axis direction, so it seems stationary while other stars appear to move around it. It is used to find the north direction.

Q12. The Pole Star can be located using the pointer stars of which constellation?

(A) Orion
(B) Ursa Major
(C) Cassiopeia
(D) Leo

Correct Answer: (B) Ursa Major

Explanation: By extending a line from the two pointer stars at the end of Ursa Major’s bowl, we reach the Pole Star.

Q13. Stars appear to move from east to west because:

(A) Stars move around the Earth
(B) The Earth rotates from west to east
(C) The Sun pulls them
(D) The Moon rotates

Correct Answer: (B) The Earth rotates from west to east

Explanation: Due to the Earth’s rotation from west to east, stars appear to move in the opposite direction, east to west.

Q14. Which of the following statements about constellations is incorrect?

(A) Constellations are groups of stars forming patterns.
(B) Stars in a constellation are at the same distance from Earth.
(C) Constellations help in locating certain stars.
(D) Some constellations are visible only in certain seasons.

Correct Answer: (B) Stars in a constellation are at the same distance from Earth.

Explanation: Stars in a constellation only appear grouped from our viewpoint; they may be at very different distances. So (B) is incorrect.

Topic 3

Solar System and Basic Planet Facts

Q15. The solar system consists of:

(A) The Sun and nine planets only
(B) The Sun and eight planets only
(C) The Sun, eight planets and other bodies like asteroids and comets
(D) Only the Earth and the Sun

Correct Answer: (C) The Sun, eight planets and other bodies like asteroids and comets

Explanation: The solar system includes the Sun, eight planets, their satellites, and smaller objects like asteroids, meteoroids and comets.

Q16. The star at the centre of our solar system is:

(A) Moon
(B) Earth
(C) Sun
(D) Jupiter

Correct Answer: (C) Sun

Explanation: The Sun is the central star around which all planets and other members of the solar system revolve.

Q17. A planet is a celestial body that:

(A) Has its own light and heat
(B) Revolves around a star and reflects its light
(C) Revolves around a planet
(D) Always has rings

Correct Answer: (B) Revolves around a star and reflects its light

Explanation: Planets do not have their own light; they revolve around a star (Sun) and shine by reflecting its light.

Q18. The correct order of planets from the Sun is:

(A) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
(B) Mercury, Earth, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus
(C) Venus, Mercury, Earth, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune
(D) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Correct Answer: (A) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Explanation: The NCERT order from the Sun is Mercury → Venus → Earth → Mars → Jupiter → Saturn → Uranus → Neptune.

Q19. The inner planets are:

(A) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
(B) Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
(C) Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn
(D) Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn

Correct Answer: (A) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

Explanation: The inner planets are the four closest to the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.

Q20. The outer planets are also called:

(A) Rocky planets
(B) Gas giants
(C) Dwarf planets
(D) Shooting stars

Correct Answer: (B) Gas giants

Explanation: The outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) are large and mostly gaseous, so they are often called gas giants.

Q21. An orbit is:

(A) The path of the Moon around itself
(B) The fixed path in which a planet moves around the Sun
(C) A star’s path around the Earth
(D) The path of rockets only

Correct Answer: (B) The fixed path in which a planet moves around the Sun

Explanation: A planet moves around the Sun in a fixed curved path called its orbit.

Q22. Which of the following is an incorrect statement about planets?

(A) They revolve around the Sun.
(B) They have their own light.
(C) They move in fixed orbits.
(D) They reflect sunlight.

Correct Answer: (B) They have their own light.

Explanation: Planets do not have their own light; they shine by reflecting the Sun’s light. So statement (B) is incorrect.

Q23. Which planet is known as the “Red Planet”?

(A) Earth
(B) Mars
(C) Venus
(D) Jupiter

Correct Answer: (B) Mars

Explanation: Mars appears reddish because of iron-rich soil on its surface, so it is called the Red Planet.

Q24. The largest planet in our solar system is:

(A) Earth
(B) Saturn
(C) Jupiter
(D) Neptune

Correct Answer: (C) Jupiter

Explanation: Jupiter is the biggest planet and has a much larger size and mass than any other planet in the solar system.

Topic 4

Important Features of Planets

Q25. Which planet is closest to the Sun?

(A) Venus
(B) Earth
(C) Mercury
(D) Mars

Correct Answer: (C) Mercury

Explanation: Mercury is the nearest planet to the Sun and also the smallest one in our solar system.

Q26. Which planet is known as Earth’s “twin” because of its similar size?

(A) Mars
(B) Venus
(C) Jupiter
(D) Saturn

Correct Answer: (B) Venus

Explanation: Venus is almost similar to Earth in size and mass, so it is called Earth’s twin.

Q27. Which planet is famous for its beautiful rings?

(A) Mars
(B) Saturn
(C) Uranus
(D) Neptune

Correct Answer: (B) Saturn

Explanation: Saturn has a splendid system of rings made of ice and dust, clearly visible through telescopes.

Q28. Which planet rotates “on its side” due to a highly tilted axis?

(A) Mercury
(B) Venus
(C) Uranus
(D) Neptune

Correct Answer: (C) Uranus

Explanation: Uranus has an axis tilted so much that it appears to roll on its side as it orbits the Sun.

Q29. The only known planet that supports life is:

(A) Earth
(B) Mars
(C) Venus
(D) Mercury

Correct Answer: (A) Earth

Explanation: Earth has water, suitable temperature and an atmosphere containing oxygen, making it the only known planet with life.

Q30. Which is the farthest planet from the Sun in our solar system?

(A) Uranus
(B) Neptune
(C) Saturn
(D) Jupiter

Correct Answer: (B) Neptune

Explanation: Neptune is the eighth and farthest planet from the Sun in our solar system.

Topic 5

Earth, Moon and Phases of the Moon

Q31. A satellite is a body that:

(A) Revolves around a star
(B) Revolves around a planet
(C) Revolves around an asteroid
(D) Has its own light

Correct Answer: (B) Revolves around a planet

Explanation: A satellite (natural or artificial) revolves around a planet. Example: the Moon revolves around the Earth.

Q32. The natural satellite of the Earth is:

(A) Sun
(B) Mars
(C) Moon
(D) Jupiter

Correct Answer: (C) Moon

Explanation: The Moon is the Earth’s only natural satellite.

Q33. The Moon appears bright in the night sky because it:

(A) Has its own light
(B) Emits fire
(C) Reflects sunlight
(D) Is very hot

Correct Answer: (C) Reflects sunlight

Explanation: The Moon does not have its own light; it appears bright because it reflects the Sun’s light.

Q34. Phases of the Moon are:

(A) Different colours of the Moon
(B) Different shapes of the bright part of the Moon as seen from Earth
(C) Movement of the Moon around the Sun
(D) Shadows on the Earth

Correct Answer: (B) Different shapes of the bright part of the Moon as seen from Earth

Explanation: The phases of the Moon refer to the changing shapes (crescent, half, full etc.) of its bright portion visible from Earth.

Q35. On New Moon day:

(A) The Moon is fully visible
(B) Half of the Moon is visible
(C) The Moon is not visible
(D) The Moon appears like a semicircle

Correct Answer: (C) The Moon is not visible

Explanation: On New Moon day, the dark side of the Moon faces the Earth, so we cannot see the Moon in the night sky.

Q36. On Full Moon day:

(A) The Moon is not visible
(B) Only a crescent of the Moon is seen
(C) The entire bright face of the Moon is visible
(D) Only half of the Moon is seen

Correct Answer: (C) The entire bright face of the Moon is visible

Explanation: On Full Moon day, the whole sunlit side of the Moon faces the Earth, so we see a full bright disc.

Q37. The Moon takes about 27.3 days to:

(A) Rotate on its axis only
(B) Revolve around the Earth only
(C) Both rotate on its axis and revolve around the Earth
(D) Revolve around the Sun

Correct Answer: (C) Both rotate on its axis and revolve around the Earth

Explanation: The Moon’s rotation period and revolution period are nearly the same (~27.3 days), so it shows the same face to the Earth.

Q38. We always see the same side of the Moon because:

(A) Moon does not rotate
(B) Moon rotates very fast
(C) Moon rotates and revolves in the same time
(D) Moon has no atmosphere

Correct Answer: (C) Moon rotates and revolves in the same time

Explanation: Because the Moon takes almost the same time to rotate once and to revolve once around Earth, the same hemisphere always faces us.

Topic 6

Asteroids, Comets, Meteors and Meteorites

Q39. Asteroids are:

(A) Small rocky bodies orbiting the Sun
(B) Artificial satellites
(C) Pieces of comet’s tail
(D) Planets with rings

Correct Answer: (A) Small rocky bodies orbiting the Sun

Explanation: Asteroids are rocky objects that revolve around the Sun, mostly found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

Q40. Most asteroids are found:

(A) Between Earth and Mars
(B) Between Mars and Jupiter
(C) Between Jupiter and Saturn
(D) Between Saturn and Uranus

Correct Answer: (B) Between Mars and Jupiter

Explanation: The region between Mars and Jupiter containing many asteroids is called the asteroid belt.

Q41. A comet is mainly made of:

(A) Hot lava
(B) Ice, dust and gases
(C) Only metals
(D) Clouds and water

Correct Answer: (B) Ice, dust and gases

Explanation: A comet is an icy body with dust and gases. When it comes near the Sun, it forms a bright head and tail.

Q42. The tail of a comet always points:

(A) Towards the Sun
(B) Away from the Sun
(C) Towards the Earth
(D) Randomly in any direction

Correct Answer: (B) Away from the Sun

Explanation: Solar wind and radiation push the gases and dust away from the Sun, so the comet’s tail always points away from the Sun.

Q43. A meteor is seen in the sky as a:

(A) Fixed bright star
(B) Bright streak of light that lasts for a few seconds
(C) Planet with rings
(D) Very slow moving bright object with tail

Correct Answer: (B) Bright streak of light that lasts for a few seconds

Explanation: A meteor burns in the Earth’s atmosphere and appears as a short-lived bright streak, also called a shooting star.

Q44. If a meteor does not burn completely and reaches the Earth’s surface, it is called a:

(A) Meteor shower
(B) Comet
(C) Meteorite
(D) Asteroid

Correct Answer: (C) Meteorite

Explanation: The part of a meteor that lands on Earth’s surface is called a meteorite.

Topic 7

Artificial Satellites and Their Uses

Q45. An artificial satellite is:

(A) A natural body revolving around a star
(B) A man-made object placed in orbit around the Earth
(C) A small asteroid
(D) A comet near the Earth

Correct Answer: (B) A man-made object placed in orbit around the Earth

Explanation: Artificial satellites are human-made and launched by rockets to revolve around the Earth or another planet.

Q46. Which of the following is not a use of artificial satellites?

(A) Weather forecasting
(B) Television and radio communication
(C) Remote sensing
(D) Making rain by themselves

Correct Answer: (D) Making rain by themselves

Explanation: Satellites can study clouds and rain, but they do not create rain. They are used for communication, weather observation and remote sensing.

Q47. Remote sensing means:

(A) Sensing only by touch
(B) Collecting information about the Earth from a distance using satellites
(C) Sensing underground water by digging
(D) None of these

Correct Answer: (B) Collecting information about the Earth from a distance using satellites

Explanation: Remote sensing uses satellite cameras and sensors to study Earth’s surface without touching it directly.

Q48. Which one of the following is an Indian artificial satellite?

(A) Moon
(B) INSAT
(C) Mars
(D) Jupiter

Correct Answer: (B) INSAT

Explanation: INSAT is a series of Indian communication satellites. Moon, Mars and Jupiter are natural celestial bodies, not artificial satellites.

Topic 8

Mixed Concept and Reasoning MCQs

Q49. Which of the following correctly shows only natural satellites and artificial satellites respectively?

(A) Moon, INSAT
(B) INSAT, Moon
(C) Earth, INSAT
(D) INSAT, Earth

Correct Answer: (A) Moon, INSAT

Explanation: Moon is a natural satellite of Earth, while INSAT is an artificial satellite launched by humans.

Q50. Which set correctly lists members of the solar system?

(A) Sun, Earth, Moon, asteroids, comets
(B) Only Sun and planets
(C) Only planets and moons
(D) Only stars and galaxies

Correct Answer: (A) Sun, Earth, Moon, asteroids, comets

Explanation: The solar system includes the Sun, eight planets (like Earth), their satellites (Moon), and small bodies such as asteroids and comets. So set (A) is correct.

Conclusion

These 50 topic-wise MCQs with detailed explanations from Chapter 17 – Stars and the Solar System cover key NCERT concepts such as celestial objects, stars, constellations, solar system, planets, Moon, asteroids, comets, meteors and artificial satellites. Practising them regularly will help Class 8 students strengthen concepts and perform well in CBSE school examinations.