Question 1

Indirect detection of an extrasolar planet means .

Accepted Answer

A) sending a space probe to the planet 
B) observing the planet's effect on its host star 
C) seeing the planet with the naked eye 
D) acquiring images or spectra of the planet 
A) sending a space probe to the planet 
B) observing the planet's effect on its host star 
C) seeing the planet with the naked eye 
D) acquiring images or spectra of the planet

Question 2

How does the theory of planetary migration in disks possibly account for the highly eccentric orbits discovered for some extrasolar planets?

Accepted Answer

A) When migrating planets pass close enough for a gravitational encounter, one may be flung from the system while the other is shifted to a highly elliptical orbit. 
B) When migrating planets collide, they would move onto more eccentric orbits. 
C) When a planet migrates onto the surface of the star, the additional stellar mass would disrupt the orbits of the remaining planets. 
D) A migrating planet would create waves in the planet forming disk, which would in turn lead to the formation of planets on highly elliptical orbits. 
A) When migrating planets pass close enough for a gravitational encounter, one may be flung from the system while the other is shifted to a highly elliptical orbit. 
B) When migrating planets collide, they would move onto more eccentric orbits. 
C) When a planet migrates onto the surface of the star, the additional stellar mass would disrupt the orbits of the remaining planets. 
D) A migrating planet would create waves in the planet forming disk, which would in turn lead to the formation of planets on highly elliptical orbits.

Question 3

Most of the planets discovered around other stars using the Doppler technique

Accepted Answer

A) are found around neutron stars. 
B) are less massive than Earth and orbit very far from the star. 
C) are more massive than Earth and orbit very close to the star. 
D) are more massive than Earth and orbit very far from the star. 
E) are less massive than Earth and orbit very close to the star. 
A) are found around neutron stars. 
B) are less massive than Earth and orbit very far from the star. 
C) are more massive than Earth and orbit very close to the star. 
D) are more massive than Earth and orbit very far from the star. 
E) are less massive than Earth and orbit very close to the star.

Question 4

At least 70% of stars have planets. How many planets can astronomers reasonably claim exist in the Milky Way galaxy?

Accepted Answer

A) at least 1 trillion 
B) at least 70 billion 
C) at least 3000 
D) at least 8 
A) at least 1 trillion 
B) at least 70 billion 
C) at least 3000 
D) at least 8

Question 5

A transiting extrasolar planet is observed to block 1% of its host star's light. How does the size of this planet compare to the host star?

Accepted Answer

A) The planet's radius is 10% of the host star's radius. 
B) The planet's radius is 1% of the host star's radius. 
C) The planet's radius is 0.1% of the host star's radius. 
D) The planet is the same size as the host star. 
A) The planet's radius is 10% of the host star's radius. 
B) The planet's radius is 1% of the host star's radius. 
C) The planet's radius is 0.1% of the host star's radius. 
D) The planet is the same size as the host star.

Question 6

Briefly describe the three most commonly used methods of indirect planet detection.

Accepted Answer

The Doppler technique measures the perio

Question 7

Consider a star with 2 planets. The mass of planet A is the same as the mass of planet B. The orbit of Planet A is on average, closer to the star than the orbit of Planet B. Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A) Planet A moves with the same speed as Planet B. 
B) Planet A is, on average, moving faster than Planet B. 
C) The relative orbital speeds depend on the masses of the planets. 
D) Planet A is, on average, moving slower than Planet B. 
A) Planet A moves with the same speed as Planet B. 
B) Planet A is, on average, moving faster than Planet B. 
C) The relative orbital speeds depend on the masses of the planets. 
D) Planet A is, on average, moving slower than Planet B.

Question 8

Which new idea has been added into our theory of solar system formation as a result of the discoveries of extrasolar planets?

Accepted Answer

A) Some of the "exceptions to the rules" in our own solar system are likely to have been the result of giant impacts. 
B) Planets can migrate from the orbits in which they are born. 
C) In addition to the categories of terrestrial and jovian, there must be an "in- between" category of planet that has the mass of a jovian planet but the composition of a terrestrial planet. 
D) In some star systems, it is possible for jovian planets to form in the inner solar system and terrestrial planets to form in the outer solar system. 
A) Some of the "exceptions to the rules" in our own solar system are likely to have been the result of giant impacts. 
B) Planets can migrate from the orbits in which they are born. 
C) In addition to the categories of terrestrial and jovian, there must be an "in- between" category of planet that has the mass of a jovian planet but the composition of a terrestrial planet. 
D) In some star systems, it is possible for jovian planets to form in the inner solar system and terrestrial planets to form in the outer solar system.

Question 9

Approximately how many other planetary systems have been discovered to date?

Accepted Answer

A) about two thousand 
B) tens of thousands 
C) ten 
D) about two hundred 
E) millions 
A) about two thousand 
B) tens of thousands 
C) ten 
D) about two hundred 
E) millions

Question 10

Once a planet forms in a disk- like nebula around a star, its orbit is fixed and will never change.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

How can astronomers currently determine the temperature of an extrasolar planet?

Accepted Answer

A) estimate the temperature based on the planet's distance from the star 
B) measure the drop in total infrared light when the planet passes behind the star from our perspective 
C) use spectroscopy of the planet to identify the wavelength at which its emission peaks 
D) A and B 
E) B and C 
A) estimate the temperature based on the planet's distance from the star 
B) measure the drop in total infrared light when the planet passes behind the star from our perspective 
C) use spectroscopy of the planet to identify the wavelength at which its emission peaks 
D) A and B 
E) B and C

Question 12

What mechanism likely accounts for whether a large icy planetesimal becomes a "water world" or a gas giant?

Accepted Answer

A) the timing of when the stellar wind blows away the remaining gas of the planet forming nebula 
B) the migration of larger planets through the disk 
C) the presence of other planets to make its orbit highly eccentric 
D) the amount of heavy metals initially present in the disk 
A) the timing of when the stellar wind blows away the remaining gas of the planet forming nebula 
B) the migration of larger planets through the disk 
C) the presence of other planets to make its orbit highly eccentric 
D) the amount of heavy metals initially present in the disk

Question 13

Planets detected via the Doppler technique have been mostly

Accepted Answer

A) a wide range of masses, in edge- on orbits. 
B) Jupiter- mass, in Jupiter- like orbits. 
C) Earth- mass, in very close orbits. 
D) Earth- mass, in Earth- like orbits. 
E) Jupiter- mass, in very close orbits. 
A) a wide range of masses, in edge- on orbits. 
B) Jupiter- mass, in Jupiter- like orbits. 
C) Earth- mass, in very close orbits. 
D) Earth- mass, in Earth- like orbits. 
E) Jupiter- mass, in very close orbits.

Question 14

The Doppler technique can be used to measure the orbital period of a planet by

Accepted Answer

A) measuring the speed at which the star orbits the mutual center- of- mass of the star and planet. 
B) measuring the amount by which the starlight is reduced when the planet transits. 
C) measuring the time it takes for the star's line- of- sight velocity to cycle from peak to peak. 
D) measuring the asymmetries in the velocity curve. 
A) measuring the speed at which the star orbits the mutual center- of- mass of the star and planet. 
B) measuring the amount by which the starlight is reduced when the planet transits. 
C) measuring the time it takes for the star's line- of- sight velocity to cycle from peak to peak. 
D) measuring the asymmetries in the velocity curve.

Question 15

Why are many of the newly detected extrasolar planets called "hot Jupiters"?

Accepted Answer

A) Their masses are similar to Jupiter but their composition is similar to Mercury. 
B) Their masses and composition are similar to what we would expect if Jupiter were hotter. 
C) Their masses are similar to Jupiter but they are very close to the central star and therefore hot. 
D) The planets tend to be detected around more massive, hotter stars than our Sun. 
E) because the discovery of other planets is very exciting 
A) Their masses are similar to Jupiter but their composition is similar to Mercury. 
B) Their masses and composition are similar to what we would expect if Jupiter were hotter. 
C) Their masses are similar to Jupiter but they are very close to the central star and therefore hot. 
D) The planets tend to be detected around more massive, hotter stars than our Sun. 
E) because the discovery of other planets is very exciting

Question 16

Which of the following statements about the accelerations and gravitational forces between a planet and a star is true?

Accepted Answer

A) Acceleration is equal and opposite; the planet feels more force more than the star. 
B) Forces are equal and opposite; the planet is accelerated more than the star. 
C) Forces are equal and opposite; the star is accelerated more than the planet. 
D) Accelerations and forces are both equal and opposite. 
E) Acceleration is equal and opposite; the star feels more force more than the planet. 
A) Acceleration is equal and opposite; the planet feels more force more than the star. 
B) Forces are equal and opposite; the planet is accelerated more than the star. 
C) Forces are equal and opposite; the star is accelerated more than the planet. 
D) Accelerations and forces are both equal and opposite. 
E) Acceleration is equal and opposite; the star feels more force more than the planet.

Question 17

Two stars with about the same mass are found to have transiting planets with similar semi- major axes. Star 1 exhibits a Doppler shift twice as large as Star 2. What can we determine about these two systems?

Accepted Answer

A) The planet around Star 2 has a thicker atmosphere than the planet around Star 1. 
B) The planet around Star 1 has a thicker atmosphere than the planet around Star 2. 
C) The planet around Star 2 is more massive than the planet around Star 1. 
D) The planet around Star 1 is more massive than the planet around Star 2. 
A) The planet around Star 2 has a thicker atmosphere than the planet around Star 1. 
B) The planet around Star 1 has a thicker atmosphere than the planet around Star 2. 
C) The planet around Star 2 is more massive than the planet around Star 1. 
D) The planet around Star 1 is more massive than the planet around Star 2.

Question 18

As of the time of the publication of the textbook, how many planets have been discovered using the Doppler method?

Accepted Answer

A) 70 
B) 7 
C) 7000 
D) 700 
A) 70 
B) 7 
C) 7000 
D) 700

Question 19

What is an "extrasolar planet"?

Accepted Answer

A) a planet that is larger than the Sun 
B) a planet that is considered an "extra," in that it was not needed for the formation of its solar system 
C) a planet that orbits a star that is not our own Sun 
D) a planet that is extra large compared to what we'd expect 
A) a planet that is larger than the Sun 
B) a planet that is considered an "extra," in that it was not needed for the formation of its solar system 
C) a planet that orbits a star that is not our own Sun 
D) a planet that is extra large compared to what we'd expect

Question 20

Which of the following is a consequence of the discovery of hot Jupiters for the nebular theory of solar system formation?

Accepted Answer

A) It has been modified to allow for the formation of gas giants within the frost line. 
B) It has been discarded. 
C) It has been modified to allow for planets to migrate inwards or outwards due to gravitational interactions. 
D) Its status is unclear and awaits further observations that will determine whether hot Jupiters are dense Earth like planets or gas giants. 
A) It has been modified to allow for the formation of gas giants within the frost line. 
B) It has been discarded. 
C) It has been modified to allow for planets to migrate inwards or outwards due to gravitational interactions. 
D) Its status is unclear and awaits further observations that will determine whether hot Jupiters are dense Earth like planets or gas giants.

Indirect detection of an extrasolar planet means .

How does the theory of planetary migration in disks possibly account for the highly eccentric orbits discovered for some extrasolar planets?

Most of the planets discovered around other stars using the Doppler technique

At least 70% of stars have planets. How many planets can astronomers reasonably claim exist in the Milky Way galaxy?

A transiting extrasolar planet is observed to block 1% of its host star's light. How does the size of this planet compare to the host star?

Briefly describe the three most commonly used methods of indirect planet detection.

Consider a star with 2 planets. The mass of planet A is the same as the mass of planet B. The orbit of Planet A is on average, closer to the star than the orbit of Planet B. Which of the following statements is true?

Which new idea has been added into our theory of solar system formation as a result of the discoveries of extrasolar planets?

Approximately how many other planetary systems have been discovered to date?

Once a planet forms in a disk- like nebula around a star, its orbit is fixed and will never change.

How can astronomers currently determine the temperature of an extrasolar planet?

What mechanism likely accounts for whether a large icy planetesimal becomes a "water world" or a gas giant?

Planets detected via the Doppler technique have been mostly

The Doppler technique can be used to measure the orbital period of a planet by

Why are many of the newly detected extrasolar planets called "hot Jupiters"?

Which of the following statements about the accelerations and gravitational forces between a planet and a star is true?

Two stars with about the same mass are found to have transiting planets with similar semi- major axes. Star 1 exhibits a Doppler shift twice as large as Star 2. What can we determine about these two systems?

As of the time of the publication of the textbook, how many planets have been discovered using the Doppler method?

What is an "extrasolar planet"?

Which of the following is a consequence of the discovery of hot Jupiters for the nebular theory of solar system formation?

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters

Exam 10: Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Indirect detection of an extrasolar planet means .

How does the theory of planetary migration in disks possibly account for the highly eccentric orbits discovered for some extrasolar planets?

Most of the planets discovered around other stars using the Doppler technique

At least 70% of stars have planets. How many planets can astronomers reasonably claim exist in the Milky Way galaxy?

A transiting extrasolar planet is observed to block 1% of its host star's light. How does the size of this planet compare to the host star?

Briefly describe the three most commonly used methods of indirect planet detection.

Consider a star with 2 planets. The mass of planet A is the same as the mass of planet B. The orbit of Planet A is on average, closer to the star than the orbit of Planet B. Which of the following statements is true?

Which new idea has been added into our theory of solar system formation as a result of the discoveries of extrasolar planets?

Approximately how many other planetary systems have been discovered to date?

Once a planet forms in a disk- like nebula around a star, its orbit is fixed and will never change.

How can astronomers currently determine the temperature of an extrasolar planet?

What mechanism likely accounts for whether a large icy planetesimal becomes a "water world" or a gas giant?

Planets detected via the Doppler technique have been mostly

The Doppler technique can be used to measure the orbital period of a planet by

Why are many of the newly detected extrasolar planets called "hot Jupiters"?

Which of the following statements about the accelerations and gravitational forces between a planet and a star is true?

Two stars with about the same mass are found to have transiting planets with similar semi- major axes. Star 1 exhibits a Doppler shift twice as large as Star 2. What can we determine about these two systems?

As of the time of the publication of the textbook, how many planets have been discovered using the Doppler method?

What is an "extrasolar planet"?

Which of the following is a consequence of the discovery of hot Jupiters for the nebular theory of solar system formation?

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

The Birth of the Universe

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters