Two-third of Brits claim they are fascinated by astronomy, according to research – but just 12% believe their knowledge of the subject is "good".
Some of the biggest knowledge gaps when it comes to the science of space include 49% not knowing what a lunar eclipse is, while one in three are clueless about black holes.
And half, of the 2,000 adults polled, were unaware that the moon orbits the earth, while 18% have no idea how it impacts the tides.
In fact, just over one in ten (12%) knew that the moon is egg-shaped – with a whopping 84% wrongly believing it is round. Meanwhile, 12% thought that the moon emits light, when in fact it reflects light from the sun.
The research was commissioned by Jaffa Cakes ahead of the partial lunar eclipse, which will be visible across the UK this Saturday, October 28.
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The cake brand has been educating Brits about eclipses since its iconic 1999 ad – and now, it has teamed up with "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" star, and fellow eclipse enthusiast, Bonnie Tyler, to create a new educational video to explain the lunar phenomena.
Bonnie Tyler stars in a new educational video, using Jaffa Cakes to teach about lunar eclipses (PinPep)Bonnie Tyler, who is celebrating the 40th anniversary of her hit single this year, said: "Given my connection to eclipse-related matters, I was very happy to collaborate with Jaffa Cakes to educate Britain about the science behind this magnificent lunar phenomenon.
"I hope that after watching this video, people throughout the UK will gain a deeper understanding of the night sky."
Elsewhere in the solar system, nearly two-thirds of those polled (62%) didn't realise there are eight planets, with 58% unaware that Mercury is the smallest of these.
And almost a third (31%) believe the Earth orbits the sun 365 times a year, when in fact it is only once – and 48% were even unaware that the Earth itself moves around the sun.
Only 7% knew a lunar eclipse is taking place on October 28 – but after learning this, four in ten said they’d like to watch it.
Nearly half (45%) remember learning about astronomy at school – and the research, carried out via OnePoll, found that 46% would even like to go up to space and see it for themselves.
To pay homage to the iconic song, the brand has also partnered with superstar DJ, Majestic, to remix Total Eclipse of the Heart, with a twist – including a sample of Bonnie reciting the iconic Jaffa Cakes catchphrase of "Full Moon, Half Moon, Total Eclipse".
Aslı Özen Turhan, for McVitie’s UK & Ireland, said: "We’re so pleased that McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes can continue to act as a tasty tool for future generations to learn about the workings of the solar system and eclipses in an entertaining way – and who better to team up with than the queen of eclipses herself, Bonnie Tyler.
"We hope many people will enjoy this lesson, and feel they know just a bit more about the night sky."
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