Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Astronomy” ESL Discussion Questions

1. Do all stars have planets around them?
2. How many planets does our solar system have?
3. What is gravity? Where does it come from? Why does it exist at all?
4. What is the difference between an asteroid and a meteor?
5. How do you measure the distance from Earth to Mars?
6. What is the difference between a planet and a star?
7. What is a constellation?
8. Is Pluto a planet or not? Why or why not?
9. How did we know that Pluto was not really a planet after all?
10. How do scientists use telescopes to study objects in space?
11. How many moons does Jupiter have?
12. What are some things that you can see in space?
13. How long does it take for light from the Sun to reach Earth?
14. Is our Sun a star or a planet?
15. What causes an eclipse?
16. What is the difference between a planet and an asteroid?
17. Is there life on other planets?
18. What is the sun?
19. Why do we call our galaxy “Milky Way”?
20. What are the names of the planets in English?
21. What are comets and meteorites made of?
22. How can we know that Earth goes around the Sun?
23. Why do we see different constellations at different times of year?
24. What is the difference between a planet and a moon?
25. What is astronomy?
26. How many stars are there in the Milky Way galaxy?
27. Why do we have seasons on Earth?
28. What is an asteroid belt and where can you find one in our Solar System?
29. How many moons does the Earth have?
30. What is a black hole?
31. How many galaxies are there in the universe?
32. What are planets made of?
33. What is a galaxy?
34. What are the names of some constellations?
35. Can you see all of the planets in our solar system with your eyes alone?
36. How did astronomers figure out that our solar system has eight planets?
37. What are stars made of?
38. What is the Milky Way?
39. What happens when we spin around really fast and then stop suddenly?
40. Which planet has the longest day, and why?
41. What causes tides in Earth’s oceans?
42. What is the name of the star that is closest to us?