ASTRONOMY FINAL REVIEW
The size of Saturn's moon Titan is A. about the same as the size of the moons of Mars. B. intermediate between the size of Mercury and the size of the Earth's moon. C. intermediate between the sizes of Mercury and Mars. D. intermediate between the sizes of Mars and the Earth.
C. intermediate between the sizes of Mercury and Mars
The particular feature of a comet that exhibits the most structure and always points away from the Sun is its A. coma, or gas cloud. B. hydrogen envelope. C. ion or gas tail. D. dust tail.
C. ion or gas tail.
A comet's tail always points from the comet head A. toward the nearest planet because of gravitational attraction for the tail material. B. toward the Sun because of gravitational attraction. C. in a direction along its orbital path, always behind the comet. D. away from the Sun.
D. away from the Sun.
What is the visual appearance of Neptune from space? A. reddish belts and light zones parallel to the equator with large red spots B. perpetually covered with yellowish, sulfur-rich clouds C. blue-green and featureless D. blue-green with white, high-altitude clouds and dark storms
D. blue-green with white, high-altitude clouds and dark storms
As a result of measurements by the Galileo spacecraft, what is now believed to be the internal structure of Io? A. core of rock overlaid by a thick mantle of water ice B. entirely or almost entirely rock, with no evidence of ice or a differentiated metallic core C. iron core overlaid by a molten mantle and rocky crust D. iron core overlaid by a rocky mantle and a deep ocean of liquid water
C. iron core overlaid by a molten mantle and rocky crust
Because Mercury has no appreciable atmosphere, its surface shows extreme temperature changes between night and day, with a range of about A. 600 K. B. 60 K. C. 900 K D. 20 K.
A. 600 K.
What is the largest known asteroid in our solar system? A. Ceres B. Gaspra C. Phobos D. Pallas
A. Ceres
Io's composition is believed to be similar to that of the terrestrial planets rather than to that of the giant planets, yet its density is intermediate between these two groups. Explain. A. Io's smaller mass causes its materials to be compressed less by its own gravity compared, for example, to Earth. B. The intense cold at Io's distance from the Sun compresses its materials and increases its density. C. The internal heat caused by its gravitational interaction with Jupiter causes Io to expand and decreases its density. D.Like the Earth-Moon system, Io is believed to have formed from part of the mantle of Jupiter and thus has a density different from Jupiter as a whole.
A. Io's smaller mass causes its materials to be compressed less by its own gravity compared, for example, to Earth.
The most likely origin of the "dirty snowballs" that become comets when they are deflected into orbits that bring them closer to the Sun is the A. Kuiper belt and Oort cloud surrounding the solar system. B. asteroid belt because most asteroids are actually comet nuclei. C. icy surfaces of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. D. dust and gas clouds in the Milky Way Galaxy.
A. Kuiper belt and Oort cloud surrounding the solar system.
Most of the asteroids of the solar system move around the Sun between the orbits of which planets? A. Mars and Jupiter B. Jupiter and Saturn C. Venus and Earth D. Earth and Mars
A. Mars and Jupiter
Why is the surface of Venus hotter than that of Mercury, even though Mercury is much closer to the Sun? A. The thick carbon dioxide atmosphere of Venus has prevented re-emission into space of the heat absorbed from sunlight. B. Venus rotates rapidly, which ensures that its entire surface is being heated regularly and uniformly. C. Chemical reactions within the thick clouds and dense atmosphere of Venus are continuously supplying heat to the surface. D. Venus experiences continuous volcanic activity and the release of hot lava onto the surface.
A. The thick carbon dioxide atmosphere of Venus has prevented re-emission into space of the heat absorbed from sunlight.
The size of the coma or gas cloud surrounding the comet nucleus as it reaches its closest point to the Sun can be as large as A. about 10^6 km. B. about 10^5 km. C. about 10 km. D. about 10^7 km
A. about 10^6 km.
What gives Uranus its blue-green coloration? A. absorption of red light by methane gas B. emission by blue and green spectral lines of ethane and propane C. absorption of blue and green light by ammonia gas D. impurities of phosphorus and sulfur in the otherwise white ice crystals of water, methane, and ammonia
A. absorption of red light by methane gas
As seen by an observer floating above the clouds of Uranus, where would the Sun be located in midsummer in the northern hemisphere? A. almost directly above the North Pole B. directly over a line of latitude 25° south of the equator C. directly over a line of latitude 25° north of the equator D. almost directly above the equator
A. almost directly above the North Pole
Perhaps the most interesting and puzzling material to be found inside rocks that have come from outer space is A. amino acids, or proteins. B. radioactive material C. water. D. pure iron
A. amino acids, or proteins.
Seasonal variations over a full Uranian year at a particular point on Uranus would A. be extreme because its spin axis is nearly in its orbital plane. B. not be present at any point on the planet because dense clouds shield it from climate changes. C.be nonexistent because such variations at any point on the planet will be smoothed out during its long "year" by the planet's rapid rotation. D. almost nonexistent because Uranus moves in an almost perfectly circular orbit and its distance from the Sun remains constant.
A. be extreme because its spin axis is nearly in its orbital plane.
The ecliptic is the plane defining Earth's orbit around the Sun. The orbits of most other objects in the solar system generally lie fairly close to the ecliptic. However, the orbits of which one of the following types of objects do NOT generally lie close to the ecliptic? A. comets B. Kuiper belt objects C. asteroid belt asteroids D. Trojan asteroids
A. comets
The rings of Uranus were A. first discovered while observing the occultation of a star by the Uranian system. B. predicted theoretically because of the planet's similarity to Saturn. C. first observed by Galileo D. first discovered by Voyager 2 on its flyby in 1986.
A. first discovered while observing the occultation of a star by the Uranian system.
Craters on Mercury appear to have been produced by: A. impacts from objects from space early in the planet's history. B.successive expansion and contraction of the planet's surface because of intense heating by the Sun and severe cooling during rotation because the craters appear to be in irregular lines across the surface. C. volcanic eruptions early in the planet's history. D. continuous impacts by objects from space throughout the planet's history, including very recently in geological time.
A. impacts from objects from space early in the planet's history.
The distinctive red color of Mars is probably caused by: A. iron oxides or rust in the soil. B. red dust that is suspended high above the surface by winds and filters the sunlight. C. the scattering of blue sunlight out of the optical beam by dust in the atmosphere, similar to sunsets on Earth. D. progressive reddening of sunlight as it traverses the interplanetary dust between the Sun and Mars and then Mars and the Earth.
A. iron oxides or rust in the soil.
The surprising fact about the magnetic field of Uranus compared with the magnetic field of the Earth or Jupiter is that A. its axis makes a larger angle to the planet's spin axis than that of any other planet. B. it is much more intense than that of any other planet. C. it is extremely small and localized in specific regions of the planet. D. its axis is precisely aligned with the spin axis of the planet.
A. its axis makes a larger angle to the planet's spin axis than that of any other planet.
The rotation period of Jupiter is A. relatively short, on the order of 10 hours. B. very long—several weeks—because of its great size and mass. C. very short, on the order of 1 hour. D. long, on the order of several days.
A. relatively short, on the order of 10 hours.
Mercury appears from spacecraft photographs to resemble the Moon in its surface features but with one important difference: A. the presence of extensive plains between craters, in contrast to the surface of the Moon. B. the presence of retrograde direction of spin compared to most other planets and moons. C. evidence of active volcanoes on Mercury. D. the presence of clouds and a measurable and significant atmosphere on Mercury.
A. the presence of extensive plains between craters, in contrast to the surface of the Moon.
The most common surface features on Venus are: A. volcanoes and lava flows. B. ancient river valleys and huge flood plains. C. evidence of plate tectonic motion, including long mountain ranges and subduction troughs. D. impact craters.
A. volcanoes and lava flows.
The Martian magnetic field is A. weak and localized, not at all like the global magnetic field of the Earth. B. much stronger and more extensive than the Earth's magnetic field. C. comparable to the Earth's magnetic field. D. nonexistent—no spacecraft has ever detected a magnetic field on Mars.
A. weak and localized, not at all like the global magnetic field of the Earth.
The overall interior structure of the Jovian planets is expected to be A.four-layered: a rocky core, a semifluid ice layer, a liquid mantle of hydrogen, and a gaseous hydrogen and helium atmosphere. B. four-layered: a solid inner core, a liquid iron outer core, a semifluid rocky mantle, and a solid crust. C. three-layered: a rocky core covered by liquid metallic hydrogen and a thin gaseous hydrogen/helium atmosphere. D. two-layered: a large, solid, rocky core surrounded by an extensive gaseous atmosphere.
A.four-layered: a rocky core, a semifluid ice layer, a liquid mantle of hydrogen, and a gaseous hydrogen and helium atmosphere.
The "snow" that occasionally falls in and near the polar regions of Mars consists of: A. carbon dioxide ice. B. frozen sulfuric acid droplets. C. water ice. D. very fine white dust, disturbed occasionally by fierce wind storms.
A: carbon dioxide ice
The so-called "canals" that Schiaparelli and Lowell reported seeing on the surface of Mars were actually A. optical illusions. B. the remnants of the walls of ancient craters that have been eroded by winds and dust over Mars's history. C. lines of volcanoes along faults in the Martian surface. D. river valleys caused by massive floods early in Mars's history.
A: optical illusions
What is the Caloris Basin? A. large, lowland area on Mars B. multi-ringed impact basin on Mercury C. volcanic caldera on Mount Maxwell, on Venus D. lunar mare, on the far side of the Moon
B. multi-ringed impact basin on Mercury
Venus has: A. a very powerful magnetic field. B. no magnetic field. C. a magnetic field about the strength of that of the Earth. D. a weak magnetic field, about 1/100 of the Earth's field strength.
B. no magnetic field
Most meteor showers occur when Earth moves through the A. Kuiper belt. B. orbit of a comet (or of a former comet). C. Oort comet cloud. D. asteroid belt.
B. orbit of a comet (or of a former comet).
An impact that took place at about the time of the extinction of the dinosaurs (and may in fact have caused their extinction) is believed to have created A. Hudson Bay in northern Canada. B. Chicxulub Crater in the Yucatán Peninsula. C. Manicouagan Crater in Quebec. D. Barringer Crater in Arizona.
B. Chicxulub Crater in the Yucatán Peninsula.
The asteroid belt is believed by most astronomers to be composed of A. the remnants of a gaseous planet disrupted by a massive impact. B. rocky debris left over from the formation of the solar system. C. genuine leather. D. rather dirty ice balls similar to the nuclei of comets.
B. rocky debris left over from the formation of the solar system
Why is Mercury difficult to observe from the Earth? A. Mercury is a very small object that orbits a long way from the Sun, thereby reflecting little light back to the Earth. B. Mercury remains close to the Sun in its orbit and is seen in a dark sky only at sunrise or sunset, close to the horizon. C. Mercury orbits the Sun very rapidly and moves across our sky very quickly. D.The orbit of Mercury is very elliptical and tilted at a large angle to the ecliptic, and any position on this orbit is visible only at midnight when Mercury is low in the sky.
B. Mercury remains close to the Sun in its orbit and is seen in a dark sky only at sunrise or sunset, close to the horizon.
The rotation axis of which planet is tilted at 98° from the vertical to its orbit? A. Venus B. Uranus C. Neptune D. Earth
B. Uranus
The clouds in the atmosphere of Venus consist primarily of A. droplets of carbon dioxide. B. droplets of sulfuric acid. C. dust particles. D. water.
B. droplets of sulfuric acid.
What is the source of Jupiter's intense magnetic field? A. electric currents in ionized layers of Jupiter's atmosphere B. electric currents in Jupiter's liquid hydrogen layer C. electric currents in Jupiter's molten iron core D. permanently magnetized iron core
B. electric currents in Jupiter's liquid hydrogen layer
Which of the following clauses describes the surface of Europa, one of the giant moons of Jupiter? A. We don't know what the surface of Io is like; it is hidden below a dense layer of clouds. B. entirely ice, with fractures and ridges going in every direction C. entirely ice, with light and dark areas containing many impact craters and parallel ridges up to about a kilometer high D. rocky and densely cratered, except for a few large, dark, relatively uncratered plains
B. entirely ice, with fractures and ridges going in every direction
What are the most abundant gases in the atmosphere of Uranus? A. methane and water that form clouds, which are easily visible from the Earth B. hydrogen and helium, with traces of methane C. nitrogen and ammonia D. carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen
B. hydrogen and helium, with traces of methane
The nucleus of a typical comet is A. irregular in shape, with a bright and very reflective, icy surface. B. irregular in shape, with a very dark and cratered surface. C. spherical, smooth, and very light-colored, being composed mostly of ice. D. spherical, with a very smooth, dark surface.
B. irregular in shape, with a very dark and cratered surface.
What characteristic features are seen on the visible surface of Jupiter? A. large volcanoes and a long, deep rift valley B. light and dark bands parallel to the equator C. almost featureless white cloud surface D. bluish-green, almost featureless cloud layer
B. light and dark bands parallel to the equator
Which physical feature of the planet Mercury causes the deflection of solar wind particles away from its surface? A. stream of ionized atoms, heated by the intense sunlight, that are emitted continuously by the planet B. magnetic field that, like the Earth's, produces a magnetosphere surrounding the planet C. Mercury's gravitational field
B. magnetic field that, like the Earth's, produces a magnetosphere surrounding the planet.
What is the average distance between asteroids? A. about twice the diameter of Earth B. many times the distance between Earth and the Moon C. about three times the length of a football field D. half the distance between Earth and the Moon
B. many times the distance between Earth and the Moon
A piece of rock from outer space that reaches Earth's surface after surviving a fiery passage through Earth's atmosphere is known as a(n) A. meteor. B. meteorite. C. meteoroid. D. asteroid.
B. meteorite.
A shooting star is a A. near-neighbor star moving rapidly across our field of view. B. small particle of interplanetary dust burning up and glowing as it enters Earth's atmosphere. C. leading scorer on a basketball team. D. violently erupting star ejecting matter rapidly away from it into interstellar space.
B. small particle of interplanetary dust burning up and glowing as it enters Earth's atmosphere.
What size are the particles making up Saturn's rings? A. a few micrometers in diameter (dust grains) B. up to about 10 m in diameter C. up to about 1 mm in diameter ("snowflakes") D. up to about 10 cm in diameter
B. up to about 10 m in diameter
Clouds extend above the surface of Venus to a maximum altitude of: A. zero because there are no clouds on Venus. B. almost 70 km. C. just over 20 km. D. thousands of kilometers.
B: almost 70 km
How long is one solar day (e.g., noon to noon) on Mercury in Earth days? A. 88 days B. 176 days C. 58.7 days D. 1 day
C. 58.7 days
Which of the following statements is true for Mars? A. Linear canals, apparently built to carry water for irrigation, criss-cross the planet. B. There is no evidence of water ever having been on Mars. C. Mars has dry riverbeds but no liquid water on its surface at the present time. D. Water can be seen in the bottoms of river valleys on spacecraft photographs.
C. Mars has dry riverbeds but no liquid water on its surface at the present time.
Saturn is less massive than Jupiter but almost the same size. Explain. A. Saturn is rotating faster than Jupiter, and the increased centrifugal force results in a larger size. B. Saturn is composed of lighter material than Jupiter. C. The smaller mass exerts less gravitational force and is unable to compress the mass as much as in Jupiter. D. Saturn's interior is hotter than that of Jupiter.
C. The smaller mass exerts less gravitational force and is unable to compress the mass as much as in Jupiter.
The mechanism of the "greenhouse effect," which has resulted in very high temperatures on the surface of Venus (and moderate temperatures on Earth), can be described as solar: A. UV and visible radiation being absorbed by the carbon dioxide of the atmosphere, thereby heating it. B.UV and visible radiation entering the clouds and triggering chemical reactions in the carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds, the released energy then heating the atmosphere. C. UV and visible radiation heating the planet surface, the infrared emissions of which are trapped by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. D. infrared radiation heating the planet surface that then emits visible and UV radiation that is trapped by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
C. UV and visible radiation heating the planet surface, the infrared emissions of which are trapped by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
The Cassini division is A. a gap between two specific mountain ranges collectively called Cassini on the Moon. B. the division between terrestrial and Jovian planets. C. a major division in the rings of Saturn, seen from the Earth. D. a gap between two groups of asteroids in the asteroid belt.
C. a major division in the rings of Saturn, seen from the Earth.
An asteroid is A. a meteorite before it enters the atmosphere and plunges to Earth. B. a small, easily recognizable group of stars within a constellation. C. a planetesimal moving in an orbit around the Sun. D. another name for the nucleus of a comet, a volatile object that moves around the Sun in a long, elliptical orbit.
C. a planetesimal moving in an orbit around the Sun.
Mercury's iron core takes up approximately what fraction of the volume of the planet? A. about 17%, very similar to that of the Earth B. greater than 95% C. about 40% D. about 65-70%
C. about 40%
A chunk of rock and metal 10 km in diameter orbiting the Sun would be called a(n) A. comet. B. moon. C. asteroid. D. meteoroid.
C. asteroid.
Where do the Trojan asteroids orbit the Sun? A. in the asteroid belt, so-named because they are large B. in elliptical orbits that cross the orbit of Earth C. in circular orbits at the same orbital distance as Jupiter D. in circular orbits at the same orbital distance as Earth
C. in circular orbits at the same orbital distance as Jupiter
Where has water ice been found on Mercury? A. in a recently formed crater, probably from a comet impact B. in deep fissures on the night side C. in permanently shadowed crater floors at the north and south poles D. suspended as microscopic crystals in the stratosphere
C. in permanently shadowed crater floors at the north and south poles
What are the Valles Marineris? A. long scarp-and-trough system in the lava plains of Mercury B. system of tectonic faults on the Jovian satellite Ganymede C. large rift valley system associated with the great volcanoes on Mars D. system of deep trenches bordering Aphrodite Terra on Venus.
C. large rift valley system associated with the great volcanoes on Mars
What are the two very similar properties Earth and Mars possess? A. length of solar day and diameter B. planet diameter and inclination of equator to the ecliptic plane C. length of solar day and inclination of equator to the ecliptic D. orbital period and length of solar day
C. length of solar day and inclination of equator to the ecliptic
The geology and geography of the surface of Venus is best described as A. heavily cratered, with no major volcanoes or lava flows. B. volcanoes and volcanic uplifts in the northern hemisphere and cratered plains in the southern hemisphere. C. mostly volcanic plains, with two continent-sized uplands and a number of large volcanoes. D. colliding surface plates with long mountain chains, rift valleys, and deep subduction trenches.
C. mostly volcanic plains, with two continent-sized uplands and a number of large volcanoes.
The rings of Uranus are A. broad, diffuse, and almost transparent, made up of almost nothing bigger than dust particles. B. intrinsically very bright, with 70% reflectivity, but they are hard to detect because they are very narrow. C. narrow and very dark. D. wide, dense, and very bright, with 70% reflectivity.
C. narrow and very dark.
The particles in Saturn's rings are composed of A. rocks with the reflectivity of dark asphalt. B. ammonia and methane ice, possibly with rocky centers. C. water ice or rock coated with water ice. D. iron and nickel.
C. water ice or rock coated with water ice.
Which of the following statements appears to be true for Mars? A. The oppressive heat on Mars has kept the planet's crust thin and prevented the onset of plate tectonics. B.Plate tectonics is only just beginning and will be important in the distant future because geologic processes happen more slowly on a small planet. C.Plate tectonics has had little or no effect other than perhaps in the earliest times because Mars is small and cooled more rapidly than the Earth so that a thick, solid crust formed. D. Plate tectonics is the dominant process creating large-scale surface features such as mountain ranges and volcanoes.
C.Plate tectonics has had little or no effect other than perhaps in the earliest times because Mars is small and cooled more rapidly than the Earth so that a thick, solid crust formed.
The composition of the clouds we see on Jupiter is A.very different from the composition of the Earth's clouds: almost entirely ammonia and ammonium hydrosulfide crystals and almost no water. B.similar to the composition of the Earth's clouds (water droplets and crystals of frozen water) in the higher levels but very different (ammonia crystals) in the lower levels. C.similar to the composition of the Earth's clouds (water droplets and crystals of frozen water) in the lower levels but very different (ammonia crystals and other chemicals) in the higher levels. D. similar to the composition of the Earth's clouds throughout the whole atmosphere—water droplets and crystals of frozen water.
C.similar to the composition of the Earth's clouds (water droplets and crystals of frozen water) in the lower levels but very different (ammonia crystals and other chemicals) in the higher levels.
The tail of a comet A. remains constant in length throughout its complete orbital path. B. is longest when the comet is closest to Jupiter; the tail is pulled out by Jupiter's gravity. C. is longest when the comet is farthest from the Sun because it is then unaffected by sunlight. D. is longest when the comet is closest to the Sun.
D. is longest when the comet is closest to the Sun.
The magnetic field strength at Jupiter's "surface" exceeds that at Earth's equatorial surface by a factor of about A. 2. B. 20,000. C. 1 million. D. 14.
D. 14.
Saturn's atmosphere does not show the same colorful contrast that we see in Jupiter's atmosphere because A.Saturn's features are obscured by an upper cloud deck of methane ice crystals, whose distinctive absorption of red light results in Saturn's blue color. Jupiter is too hot to have a methane atmosphere. B.Saturn's clouds and circulation pattern resemble those of the Earth (individual cyclones and anticyclones) rather than the elongated cloud forms of Jupiter. C. Saturn has counter-flowing eastward and westward winds, as does Jupiter, but it lacks the three differently colored cloud levels. D. Saturn has a similar circulation pattern to Jupiter's, but it is obscured by a thick hazy atmosphere.
D. Saturn has a similar circulation pattern to Jupiter's, but it is obscured by a thick hazy atmosphere.
The Kuiper belt is A. a spherical distribution of distant comets around the Sun, extending out about 50,000 AU. B. a random distribution of short-period comets extending from inside the orbit of Jupiter to approximately the orbit of Neptune. C. another name for the asteroid belt. D. a flat or donut-shaped distribution of distant comets around the Sun, extending out about 500 AU.
D. a flat or donut-shaped distribution of distant comets around the Sun, extending out about 500 AU.
Jupiter's satellite Europa is believed to be made up of A. a small, rocky core overlaid by a very thick layer of water ice. B. ice and rock mixed throughout in roughly equal proportions. C. solid rock throughout, the surface of which shows ancient craters. D. a metallic core and a rocky mantle covered with a liquid water ocean whose surface is frozen.
D. a metallic core and a rocky mantle covered with a liquid water ocean whose surface is frozen.
If all the material in the asteroid belt were to be combined to produce a planet, how big would it be? A. only a few kilometers in diameter, similar to an average mountain on Earth B. about the size of Earth, with a diameter of about 13,000 km. C. about the size of Mercury, with a diameter of about 5000 km. D. about 1500 km in diameter, less than half the diameter of the Moon
D. about 1500 km in diameter, less than half the diameter of the Moon
Neptune's predominantly blue appearance is caused by A. auroral emissions caused by solar wind particles exciting the atoms and molecules in Neptune's high atmosphere. B.preferential scattering away from the planet of the blue end of the solar spectrum, in a similar process to that operating in the Earth's atmosphere. C. the fact that solar light has lost much of its red light by scattering in the interplanetary medium at the distance of Neptune. D. absorption of the red end of the spectrum of reflected sunlight by the methane in its atmosphere.
D. absorption of the red end of the spectrum of reflected sunlight by the methane in its atmosphere.
The Great Dark Spot on Neptune A.came into existence sometime between the Voyager flyby in 1989 and when the Hubble Space Telescope photographed Neptune in 1994. B. has been visible through telescopes since at least as far back as 1665. C. was the short-lived result of a comet crash in 1995. D.disappeared sometime between the Voyager flyby in 1989 and when the Hubble Space Telescope photographed Neptune in 1994.
D. disappeared sometime between the Voyager flyby in 1989 and when the Hubble Space Telescope photographed Neptune in 1994.
Venus rotates: A. in the same direction as the Earth but very rapidly (in a few hours). B. "locked in" to the Sun, maintaining one side toward it at all times in synchronous rotation. C. in the same direction as the Earth but very slowly. D. in the opposite direction from the Earth but very slowly
D. in the opposite direction from the Earth but very slowly.
The rings of Saturn orbit the planet as A. five separate, solid rings. B. individual particles, all with periods longer than the periods of the large moons of Saturn.. C. a solid body. D. individual particles, all with periods shorter than the periods of the large moons of Saturn.
D. individual particles, all with periods shorter than the periods of the large moons of Saturn.
Because of the large angle between the magnetic axis of Uranus and its rotation axis, the magnetosphere wobbles considerably as the planet rotates. Astronomers use this wobble to determine the A. density of the planet. B. rotation speed of the atmosphere. C. strength of the magnetic field. D. interior rotation speed of the planet.
D. interior rotation speed of the planet.
What is the Great Red Spot on Jupiter? A. region over the south pole of Jupiter where ammonia compounds that absorb blue light have condensed in the colder atmosphere B. summit of a large mountain that rises above the upper cloud level C. area where charged particles from the satellite Io collide with Jupiter's cloud tops D. large, long-lived anticyclonic storm that is maintained by the differential rotation of Jupiter's atmosphere.
D. large, long-lived anticyclonic storm that is maintained by the differential rotation of Jupiter's atmosphere.
What is Sedna? A. largest object in the asteroid belt B. largest of the Trojan asteroids C. bright comet to which we hope to send a rendezvous mission D. largest object discovered beyond the orbit of Pluto
D. largest object discovered beyond the orbit of Pluto
Most comet nuclei are believed to be A. pieces of dirty ice ejected from the surface of the icy satellites of the outer planets by asteroid impacts. B. pieces of rock or iron chipped from asteroids by impacts. C. carbonaceous chondrite meteorites—carbon material—ignited by sunlight and resulting in long smoke trails. D. pieces of dusty ice left over from the formation of the solar system.
D. pieces of dusty ice left over from the formation of the solar system.
Recent calculations show that the Tunguska explosion in Siberia in 1908 was probably caused by a A. small comet nucleus about 1 km across suddenly vaporizing in the atmosphere. B. large stony meteorite about 1 m across striking the ground at a high speed. C. small nuclear explosion. D. small stony asteroid about 80 m across exploding well above the ground.
D. small stony asteroid about 80 m across exploding well above the ground.
The Kirkwood gaps are caused by A. large asteroids on the outer fringe of the asteroid belt, which gravitationally affect the paths of smaller objects within the belt. B.large asteroids whose orbits carry them periodically through the asteroid belt, where they sweep out a path and leave it devoid of asteroids. C. the gravitational pull of Saturn which nudges asteroids into new orbits. D. the gravitational pull of Jupiter, which nudges asteroids into new orbits.
D. the gravitational pull of Jupiter, which nudges asteroids into new orbits.