Bill Nye: Outer Space worksheet with educational questions on astronomy.

Let’s go through each question one by one. I’ll think carefully and check my answers before writing them down.

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1. We look at __________ to learn about space.
We use telescopes to see stars, planets, and other things in space.
→ telescopes

2. Because they are so far away stars appear to be very __________.
Stars are huge, but because they’re so far away, they look tiny — like little dots.
→ small

3. Things in space are very __________.
Space is mostly empty — there’s not much stuff between stars and planets. Also, distances are huge. But the most common word here for “things in space” being far apart or spread out is… actually, this might mean “far away” or “distant.” But looking at context, maybe it’s “big”? Wait — no, let’s think: The sentence says “Things in space are very ___.” In many worksheets, this refers to how far apart they are → far apart OR possibly “large”? Hmm. Actually, standard answer for this type of worksheet is often far away or distant, but since #2 already used “far away,” maybe it’s huge? Let me reconsider.

Actually, looking at typical Bill Nye Outer Space worksheets (which this appears to be), Question 3 usually expects:
→ far away — but that repeats #2. Alternatively, sometimes it’s “cold” or “empty.” But best fit based on common curriculum:
Wait — perhaps it’s “big”? No, stars are big, but galaxies are bigger... Actually, let’s skip and come back.

Hold on — let’s do all questions first, then double-check.

4. How fast does light travel?
Light travels at about 300,000 kilometers per second. That’s a standard fact.
→ 300,000 km/s (or 186,000 miles per second — but metric is more common in science class)

But the blank doesn’t specify units. Usually, they want the number with unit. Since it’s a fill-in, probably:
→ 300,000 kilometers per second

5. The distance light travels in a year is called a(n) __________.
That’s a light-year.
→ light-year

6. How far is a light-year?
One light-year is about 9.46 trillion kilometers. But often simplified to 9.5 trillion km or just “about 10 trillion km” in elementary levels. But precise value is 9,460,730,472,580.8 km — too long. Standard school answer:
→ 9.46 trillion kilometers

But again, maybe they want simpler: Some say “almost 10 trillion km”. Let’s stick with accurate:
→ 9.46 trillion kilometers

7. Jupiter has __________ so that it looks like a red spot.
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is a giant storm. So:
→ a giant storm

8. According to the video, there are __________ planets.
As of when Bill Nye made his show (and still true today unless you count dwarf planets), we have 8 planets in our solar system. Pluto was reclassified in 2006. Bill Nye’s original series said 9, but updated versions say 8. Given current date is 2026, and knowledge cutoff is 2026, we should use modern definition:
→ 8

*(Note: If the worksheet is old, it might expect 9 — but since we’re in 2026 and using up-to-date info, 8 is correct.)*

9. There are actually __________ planets.
Same as above? Or maybe referring to total including dwarf planets? Unlikely. Probably same as #8 — but why repeat? Maybe #8 is “in our solar system” and #9 is “known in universe”? No, that wouldn’t make sense. Perhaps typo? Or maybe #9 is asking about exoplanets? Too advanced.

Wait — looking at standard Bill Nye Outer Space worksheet answers online (from memory/training data):

Question 8: “According to the video, there are ___ planets.” → Often 9 (if older version)

Question 9: “There are actually ___ planets.” → Still 9? Or maybe 8?

This is confusing. Let me assume the worksheet follows current science: both 8.

But to match likely expected answer from classic worksheet:

In many printed versions of this worksheet, Q8 = 9, Q9 = 9 — but that’s outdated.

Given instruction: “Your knowledge cutoff date is 2026” — so we must use current facts.

So:
Q8: If the video is old, it may say 9 — but the question says “according to the video” — if we don’t know which video, safest is to use current standard: 8.

But wait — perhaps the video referenced is Bill Nye’s original 1990s episode — which taught 9 planets. However, since the user is doing this in 2026, and we’re to give accurate info, I think we should note:

Actually, let’s check logic: Question 8 says “according to the video” — implying whatever the video says. Since we don’t have the video, we can’t know. But in most educational contexts now, even if referencing old videos, teachers update the answer.

I recall that in some versions of this exact worksheet, Q8 is “9” and Q9 is also “9” — but that’s wrong now.

Alternatively, maybe Q9 is trick: “actually” meaning including dwarf planets? Then 8 + 5 major dwarfs = 13? No, not standard.

Best approach: Use current scientific consensus.

→ Q8: 8 (assuming video is updated or teacher expects current info)

→ Q9: Same? Or perhaps “hundreds” if talking about exoplanets? No, context is solar system.

Looking ahead — Q10 talks about group of stars named something — so Q8 and Q9 are likely both about our solar system.

I found a reliable source in training data: For this specific worksheet (“Bill Nye Outer Space”), standard answers are:

Q8: 9
Q9: 9

BUT — since it’s 2026, and Pluto is not a planet, I will go with 8 for both, but add note? No — instructions say only final answer.

Wait — let’s proceed and verify later.

10. A group of stars that have been named is a __________.
Constellation.
→ constellation

11. Polaris is also known as __________.
North Star.
→ the North Star

12. Each star in the sky is like __________.
Like our Sun — because stars are suns.
→ our Sun

13. An __________ is a scientist that studies outer space.
Astronomer.
→ astronomer

14. The name of our galaxy is __________.
Milky Way.
→ the Milky Way

15. __________ kilometers is the circumference of Earth.
Earth’s circumference is about 40,075 km at equator. Often rounded to 40,000 km in schools.
→ 40,000

16. The Kennedy Space Center is where __________ train for space missions.
Astronauts.
→ astronauts

17. __________ cause fires in the universe.
Meteorites? Asteroids? Comets? When they hit planets, they can cause fires. But in space itself? Not really. Perhaps “collisions” or “impacts”.

Standard answer for this worksheet: Meteorites

Because meteorites entering atmosphere can cause fireballs and start fires on ground.

→ Meteorites

18. It is important to learn about __________ because __________.
Open-ended, but common answer:
“space” because “it helps us understand our place in the universe” or “to protect Earth” etc.

Typical worksheet answer:
→ space ; we live in it

Or:
→ outer space ; it affects our daily lives (satellites, weather, etc.)

Most common simple answer:
→ space ; we are part of it

But let’s pick:
First blank: space
Second blank: it is where we live

Actually, better:
→ the universe ; we are in it

No — simplest:
→ space ; we need to understand it

I recall standard answer for this worksheet:
“It is important to learn about space because we live in it.”

Yes.

→ space ; we live in it

19. What is the name of the nearest star? __________
The Sun.
→ the Sun

Now back to Q3: “Things in space are very __________.”

Common answers: far away, cold, empty, large.

In context of previous questions (#2 says stars appear small because far away), so #3 might be emphasizing scale: “Things in space are very far apart” or “very big”.

Looking at standard worksheet answers: Often “far away” — but #2 already used that.

Another possibility: “Things in space are very old” — stars are billions of years old.

But most likely intended answer: far away — even if repetitive.

Or perhaps “massive”?

I found in training data: For this worksheet, Q3 answer is often far away.

So I’ll go with that.

→ far away

Now Q8 and Q9: After research in memory, in the actual Bill Nye Outer Space worksheet distributed in schools, even in recent years, they sometimes still use 9 for historical accuracy to the video. But since the instruction is to solve accurately with 2026 knowledge, I will use 8.

However, to match what the worksheet likely expects (since it's a fixed worksheet), and given that many sources list:

Q8: 9
Q9: 9

But that’s incorrect now.

Decision: Since the user is a student in 2026, and we are to provide accurate information, I will put 8 for both.

But let’s confirm Q9: “There are actually __________ planets.” — “actually” might imply correcting the video — so if video says 9, actually there are 8.

Yes! That makes sense.

So:

Q8: According to the video → 9 (assuming old video)
Q9: Actually → 8

Perfect.

So:

Q8: 9
Q9: 8

That resolves it.

Now compile all answers.

Final check:

1. telescopes
2. small
3. far away
4. 300,000 kilometers per second
5. light-year
6. 9.46 trillion kilometers
7. a giant storm
8. 9
9. 8
10. constellation
11. the North Star
12. our Sun
13. astronomer
14. the Milky Way
15. 40,000
16. astronauts
17. Meteorites
18. space ; we live in it
19. the Sun

All seem correct.

For Q6: Sometimes they accept "about 10 trillion km" but 9.46 is precise. Since it's a fill-in, and no specification, 9.46 trillion is fine.

For Q4: Must include units? The blank doesn't specify, but in context, probably yes. Write full phrase.

Similarly, Q15: Just number? Yes, since it says "__________ kilometers", so just the number.

Q18: Two blanks — need to fill both.

Okay.

Final Answer:

1. telescopes
2. small
3. far away
4. 300,000 kilometers per second
5. light-year
6. 9.46 trillion
7. a giant storm
8. 9
9. 8
10. constellation
11. the North Star
12. our Sun
13. astronomer
14. the Milky Way
15. 40,000
16. astronauts
17. Meteorites
18. space, we live in it
19. the Sun

Note: For Q6, I wrote "9.46 trillion" assuming "kilometers" is implied from context, but the blank is after "is a(n)" — no, Q6 is "How far is a light-year?" so answer should include unit. But in the blank, probably just the number and unit together. To be safe, write "9.46 trillion kilometers".

But in the format, since it's a single blank, and previous ones have phrases, it's ok.

Similarly, Q4: "300,000 kilometers per second"

I think it's fine.

One last thing: Q17 — "Meteorites" — plural, and capitalized? In sentence case, but since it's start of blank, probably capitalize. But in answer key, often lowercase except proper nouns. But "Meteorites" is not proper noun, so lowercase? However, in the blank, it might be beginning of sentence? No, the sentence is "__________ cause fires..." so first word should be capitalized.

So: Meteorites

Yes.

All set.