Astronomy Chapter 10

(c) 2 years

As seen fro Earth, Mars exhibits a retrograde loop about once every (a) week; (b) 6 months; (c) 2 years; (d) decade

(b) significantly smaller

Compared with Earth's diameter, the diameter of Mars is (a) significantly larger; (b) significantly smaller; (c) nearly the same size; (d) unknown

(b) is more eccentric

Compared with the Earth's orbit, the orbit of Mars (a) has the same eccentricity; (b) is more eccentric; (c) is less eccentric; (d) is smaller

(c) a significantly lower atmospheric pressure

Compared with the atmosphere of Venus, the Martian atmosphere has (a) a significantly higher temperature; (b) significantly more carbon dioxide; (c) significantly lower atmospheric pressure; (d) significantly more acidic compounds

the water vapor has frozen out into the polar ice caps and permafrost as Mars has cooled

Evidence of liquid water in Mars's distant past suggests that it had a substantial atmosphere compared to what it has presently. What happened to its water vapor?

(d) cratered terrain in the south

Figure 10.4 ("Mars Map") clearly shows (a) surface water and ice at northern latitudes; (b) a giant canyon stretching all the way across the planet; (c) iron deposits in the mid-latitudes; (d) cratered terrain in the south

(b) reverse greenhouse effect

In comparison to the atmosphere of Venus, the vastly different atmospheric character of Mars is likely due to a/an (a) ineffective greenhouse effect; (b) reverse greenhouse effect; (c) absence of greenhouse gases that would hold in heat; (d) greater distance from the Sun

(b) Colorado

In terms of area, the extinct Martian volcano Olympus Mons is about the size of (a) Mt. Everest; (b) Colorado; (c) North America; (d) Earth's Moon

thin

Is Mars atmosphere thin or thick?

Olympus Mons

Largest volcano in solar system on mars

opposition

Mars is best viewed from Earth when it is at

false

T or F: The ability to generate internal energy by using photosynthesis is among the agreed-upon characteristic that any life form should have

orbit of Mars is significantly more elliptical

Unlike Earth, Mars's seasons are affected by the distance between Mars and the Sun. This is because

they orbit at different distance from the Sun

Venus and Mars probably evolved differently from Earth because

catastrophic but rare flooding

What was most likely source of water that formed the huge outflow channels of Mars?

the iron in the surface rocks have been oxidized over time

Why is Mars red?

the southern hemisphere is more heavily cratered

Why is the southern hemisphere of Mars believed to be older than the Northern?

Urey-Miller

_________ _________ experiment demonstrated the formation of amino acids from the gases present in the early Earth's atmosphere (hydrogen, water vapor, nitrogen, carbon, excited by lightning)

Chryse Planitia

a plain flanking this bulge -- lava plains from volcanic eruptions

Valles Marineris

a vast "canyon" on Mars; 4000 km long

seasonal cap

portion of Martian polar ice caps that is subject to seasonal variations, growing and shrinking once each Martian year

residual cap

portion of Martian polar ice caps that remains permanently frozen, undergoing no seasonal variations

conjunction, opposition

relative to Earth, Mars can be either in ________ or _________

runoff channels

river-like surface feature on Mars, evidence that liquid water once existed there in great quantities. They are found in the southern highlands and are thought to have been formed by water that flowed nearly 4 billion years ago

Tharsis Bulge

size of North America, and rising to a height of about 10 km

outflow channels

surface feature on Mars, evidence that liquid water once existed there in great quantity; thought to be the relics of catastrophic flooding about 3 billion years ago. Found only in the equatorial regions of the planet

residual cap

water in form of permafrost under polar seasonal ice caps

the red planet

what is Mars' nickname?

opposition

when are Earth and Mars closest?

southern hemisphere

which hemisphere on Mars are older high highlands with more craters

northern hemisphere

which hemisphere on Mars has low smooth areas filled with solidified lava

(c) polar caps

The lengths of the seasons on Mars can be determined by observing the planet's (a) tilt; (b) eccentricity; (c) polar caps; (d) moons

(a) are probably captured asteroids

The moons of Mars (a) are probably captured asteroids; (b) formed following a collision with Earth; (c) are the remnants of a larger moon; (d) formed simultaneously with Mars

permafrost

layer of permanently frozen water ice thought to lie just under the surface of Mars

Hellas Basin

lowest point on Mars -- 9 km deep, floor is heavily cratered