Question 1

The white spots on Io's surface

Accepted Answer

A)  are a combination of water ice and carbon dioxide ice. 
B)  are actually openings into lava tubes like those found on the Moon. 
C)  are patches of crystallized sulfur dioxide flakes. 
D)  remain a mystery. 
A)  are a combination of water ice and carbon dioxide ice. 
B)  are actually openings into lava tubes like those found on the Moon. 
C)  are patches of crystallized sulfur dioxide flakes. 
D)  remain a mystery. C

Question 2

Large scale geologic activity apparently never occurred on

Accepted Answer

A)  Europa. 
B)  Io. 
C)  Callisto. 
D)  Ganymede. 
A)  Europa. 
B)  Io. 
C)  Callisto. 
D)  Ganymede. C

Question 3

The "snow" that falls continuously on the surface of Io, the innermost Galilean moon of Jupiter, is composed of

Accepted Answer

A)  ammonia crystals. 
B)  water crystals. 
C)  sulfur and sulfur dioxide. 
D)  methane crystals. 
A)  ammonia crystals. 
B)  water crystals. 
C)  sulfur and sulfur dioxide. 
D)  methane crystals. C

Question 4

Which planet in the solar system has the lowest average density?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury 
B)  Saturn 
C)  Uranus 
D)  Jupiter 
A)  Mercury 
B)  Saturn 
C)  Uranus 
D)  Jupiter

Question 5

The specific and unique property of water that was responsible for the large-scale surface features-dark polygons surrounded by heavily grooved and lighter terrain-on Ganymede's surface is

Accepted Answer

A)  its reflectivity when still wet compared to when it is fully frozen. Wet ice in the polygons appears darker. 
B)  the difference in reflectivities of ice and liquid water. The light ice network surrounds darker pools of liquid water. 
C)  the change in color of water ice with temperature, becoming darker in the centers of the colder polygons but lighter at their warmer edges. 
D)  the fact that it expands when it freezes. Water squeezed out from beneath old, dark ice expanded to produce the lighter, raised terrain. 
A)  its reflectivity when still wet compared to when it is fully frozen. Wet ice in the polygons appears darker. 
B)  the difference in reflectivities of ice and liquid water. The light ice network surrounds darker pools of liquid water. 
C)  the change in color of water ice with temperature, becoming darker in the centers of the colder polygons but lighter at their warmer edges. 
D)  the fact that it expands when it freezes. Water squeezed out from beneath old, dark ice expanded to produce the lighter, raised terrain.

Question 6

The structure of Ganymede, a Galilean satellite of Jupiter, is thought to be

Accepted Answer

A)  an iron core, a rocky mantle, and a liquid ocean with a dirty ice surface. 
B)  mostly or entirely rock, with no firm evidence of an iron core, and active volcanoes on its surface. 
C)  a large rocky core with a thin layer (100 km thick) of ice and water over it. 
D)  about half rock and half ice, with rock at the center and ice outside. 
A)  an iron core, a rocky mantle, and a liquid ocean with a dirty ice surface. 
B)  mostly or entirely rock, with no firm evidence of an iron core, and active volcanoes on its surface. 
C)  a large rocky core with a thin layer (100 km thick) of ice and water over it. 
D)  about half rock and half ice, with rock at the center and ice outside.

Question 7

How many moons are now known to orbit Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  only 4, discovered by Galileo 
B)  10 
C)  more than 60 
D)  none, just like Mercury and Venus 
A)  only 4, discovered by Galileo 
B)  10 
C)  more than 60 
D)  none, just like Mercury and Venus

Question 8

Io would probably be less active geologically if

Accepted Answer

A)  its orbit were perfectly circular. 
B)  it were closer to Jupiter. 
C)  Europa and Ganymede were closer to it. 
D)  Jupiter did not rotate at such a high rate. 
A)  its orbit were perfectly circular. 
B)  it were closer to Jupiter. 
C)  Europa and Ganymede were closer to it. 
D)  Jupiter did not rotate at such a high rate.

Question 9

Which of these motions is characteristic of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  Each of the four Galilean moons keeps the same face toward the Sun at all times. 
B)  Each of the four Galilean moons keeps the same face toward Jupiter at all times. 
C)  The four Galilean moons orbit the planet in the opposite direction to its rotation-retrograde motion. 
D)  The four Galilean moons orbit the planet in a plane carrying them over both the north and south poles of Jupiter. 
A)  Each of the four Galilean moons keeps the same face toward the Sun at all times. 
B)  Each of the four Galilean moons keeps the same face toward Jupiter at all times. 
C)  The four Galilean moons orbit the planet in the opposite direction to its rotation-retrograde motion. 
D)  The four Galilean moons orbit the planet in a plane carrying them over both the north and south poles of Jupiter.

Question 10

Why should an observer expect to see no craters, such as those on the Moon or Mars, on Io, the innermost Galilean moon of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  The continuous water rainfall quickly erodes and washes away any trace of craters. 
B)  Volcanoes are continuously depositing new material onto the surface. 
C)  The liquid surface cannot maintain a crater, just as Earth's oceans cannot. 
D)  The surface is always reentering the planet's interior by subduction in rapid plate tectonic motion, similar to but faster than that on Earth. 
A)  The continuous water rainfall quickly erodes and washes away any trace of craters. 
B)  Volcanoes are continuously depositing new material onto the surface. 
C)  The liquid surface cannot maintain a crater, just as Earth's oceans cannot. 
D)  The surface is always reentering the planet's interior by subduction in rapid plate tectonic motion, similar to but faster than that on Earth.

Question 11

Io is believed to be mostly rock and iron, much like Earth. How does its density compare to Earth's density?

Accepted Answer

A)  With the same basic composition, its density must be similar to Earth's. 
B)  Io's density is smaller because it has a mantle of sulfur that is not very dense. 
C)  Io's density is greater because at its greater distance from the Sun its materials are colder and thus more dense than similar materials on Earth. 
D)  Earth's density is larger because it experiences more gravitational compression, and the same materials at Earth's core have a greater density than they would at Io's core. 
A)  With the same basic composition, its density must be similar to Earth's. 
B)  Io's density is smaller because it has a mantle of sulfur that is not very dense. 
C)  Io's density is greater because at its greater distance from the Sun its materials are colder and thus more dense than similar materials on Earth. 
D)  Earth's density is larger because it experiences more gravitational compression, and the same materials at Earth's core have a greater density than they would at Io's core.

Question 12

Which chemical in the atmosphere of Titan (a moon of Saturn) plays the same role that water plays on Earth by producing "rain," "snow," and "ice" at the temperature encountered on Titan?

Accepted Answer

A)  nitrogen, N2 
B)  ammonia, NH3 
C)  ethane, C2H6 
D)  oxygen, O2 
A)  nitrogen, N2 
B)  ammonia, NH3 
C)  ethane, C2H6 
D)  oxygen, O2

Question 13

The inner two Galilean satellites of Jupiter differ from the outer two by having

Accepted Answer

A)  much higher average densities and almost crater-free surfaces. 
B)  almost the same average densities but much older, more heavily cratered surfaces. 
C)  much lower average densities and heavily cratered surfaces. 
D)  almost the same average densities but much younger, less-cratered surfaces. 
A)  much higher average densities and almost crater-free surfaces. 
B)  almost the same average densities but much older, more heavily cratered surfaces. 
C)  much lower average densities and heavily cratered surfaces. 
D)  almost the same average densities but much younger, less-cratered surfaces.

Question 14

The structure of Callisto, the outer Galilean satellite of Jupiter, is thought to be

Accepted Answer

A)  a mixed ice-rock interior surrounded by a liquid ocean and then a solid icy crust. 
B)  mostly or entirely rock, with no firm evidence of an iron core, and active volcanoes on its surface. 
C)  an iron core surrounded by a rocky mantle and an ice mantle and crust. 
D)  almost all water ice, in view of its low average density. 
A)  a mixed ice-rock interior surrounded by a liquid ocean and then a solid icy crust. 
B)  mostly or entirely rock, with no firm evidence of an iron core, and active volcanoes on its surface. 
C)  an iron core surrounded by a rocky mantle and an ice mantle and crust. 
D)  almost all water ice, in view of its low average density.

Question 15

The Great Red Spot is

Accepted Answer

A)  the top of a massive mountain penetrating through Jupiter's clouds. 
B)  a temporary storm in Jupiter's atmosphere, lasting a few months. 
C)  a large, long-lived storm system in Jupiter's atmosphere. 
D)  the colored polar cap of Jupiter. 
A)  the top of a massive mountain penetrating through Jupiter's clouds. 
B)  a temporary storm in Jupiter's atmosphere, lasting a few months. 
C)  a large, long-lived storm system in Jupiter's atmosphere. 
D)  the colored polar cap of Jupiter.

Question 16

What is the visual appearance of Uranus from space?

Accepted Answer

A)  perpetually covered with yellowish, sulfur-rich clouds 
B)  blue-green with distinct white, high-altitude clouds and dark storms 
C)  blue-green and featureless 
D)  reddish belts and light zones parallel to the equator 
A)  perpetually covered with yellowish, sulfur-rich clouds 
B)  blue-green with distinct white, high-altitude clouds and dark storms 
C)  blue-green and featureless 
D)  reddish belts and light zones parallel to the equator

Question 17

How did Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 achieve lasting fame?

Accepted Answer

A)  The comet became the first comet to be visited by spacecraft. 
B)  The comet crashed into Jupiter. 
C)  The comet exploded after passing too close to the Sun. 
D)  The comet just missed Earth, passing between the Moon and Earth. 
A)  The comet became the first comet to be visited by spacecraft. 
B)  The comet crashed into Jupiter. 
C)  The comet exploded after passing too close to the Sun. 
D)  The comet just missed Earth, passing between the Moon and Earth.

Question 18

The Great Dark Spot on Neptune

Accepted Answer

A)  disappeared sometime between the Voyager flyby in 1989 and when the Hubble Space Telescope photographed Neptune in 1994. 
B)  came into existence sometime between the Voyager flyby in 1989 and when the Hubble Space Telescope photographed Neptune in 1994. 
C)  was the short-lived result of a comet crash in 1995. 
D)  has been visible through telescopes since at least as far back as 1665. 
A)  disappeared sometime between the Voyager flyby in 1989 and when the Hubble Space Telescope photographed Neptune in 1994. 
B)  came into existence sometime between the Voyager flyby in 1989 and when the Hubble Space Telescope photographed Neptune in 1994. 
C)  was the short-lived result of a comet crash in 1995. 
D)  has been visible through telescopes since at least as far back as 1665.

Question 19

The Great Dark Spot on Neptune, photographed by Voyager 2 during its flyby of the planet, is considered to be a

Accepted Answer

A)  region of upwelling gas in Neptune's atmosphere, above a hot spot on its surface, possibly a volcano. 
B)  storm system probably centuries old, like Jupiter's Great Red Spot. 
C)  volcanic caldera. 
D)  relatively short-lived storm system. 
A)  region of upwelling gas in Neptune's atmosphere, above a hot spot on its surface, possibly a volcano. 
B)  storm system probably centuries old, like Jupiter's Great Red Spot. 
C)  volcanic caldera. 
D)  relatively short-lived storm system.

Question 20

What conditions are considered to be necessary for a planet to be able to generate an intense magnetic field?

Accepted Answer

A)  ionized and electrically conducting layer in its atmosphere 
B)  electrically conducting material in its interior and slow rotation because rapid rotation will destroy a magnetic field 
C)  solid iron core into which a magnetic field was induced early in the planet's history 
D)  relatively rapid rotation and electrically conducting material in its interior 
A)  ionized and electrically conducting layer in its atmosphere 
B)  electrically conducting material in its interior and slow rotation because rapid rotation will destroy a magnetic field 
C)  solid iron core into which a magnetic field was induced early in the planet's history 
D)  relatively rapid rotation and electrically conducting material in its interior

The white spots on Io's surface

Large scale geologic activity apparently never occurred on

The "snow" that falls continuously on the surface of Io, the innermost Galilean moon of Jupiter, is composed of

Which planet in the solar system has the lowest average density?

The specific and unique property of water that was responsible for the large-scale surface features-dark polygons surrounded by heavily grooved and lighter terrain-on Ganymede's surface is

The structure of Ganymede, a Galilean satellite of Jupiter, is thought to be

How many moons are now known to orbit Jupiter?

Io would probably be less active geologically if

Which of these motions is characteristic of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter?

Why should an observer expect to see no craters, such as those on the Moon or Mars, on Io, the innermost Galilean moon of Jupiter?

Io is believed to be mostly rock and iron, much like Earth. How does its density compare to Earth's density?

Which chemical in the atmosphere of Titan (a moon of Saturn) plays the same role that water plays on Earth by producing "rain," "snow," and "ice" at the temperature encountered on Titan?

The inner two Galilean satellites of Jupiter differ from the outer two by having

The structure of Callisto, the outer Galilean satellite of Jupiter, is thought to be

The Great Red Spot is

What is the visual appearance of Uranus from space?

How did Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 achieve lasting fame?

The Great Dark Spot on Neptune

The Great Dark Spot on Neptune, photographed by Voyager 2 during its flyby of the planet, is considered to be a

What conditions are considered to be necessary for a planet to be able to generate an intense magnetic field?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Other Terrestrial Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

Exam 9: The Outer Planets

The white spots on Io's surface

Large scale geologic activity apparently never occurred on

The "snow" that falls continuously on the surface of Io, the innermost Galilean moon of Jupiter, is composed of

Which planet in the solar system has the lowest average density?

The specific and unique property of water that was responsible for the large-scale surface features-dark polygons surrounded by heavily grooved and lighter terrain-on Ganymede's surface is

The structure of Ganymede, a Galilean satellite of Jupiter, is thought to be

How many moons are now known to orbit Jupiter?

Io would probably be less active geologically if

Which of these motions is characteristic of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter?

Why should an observer expect to see no craters, such as those on the Moon or Mars, on Io, the innermost Galilean moon of Jupiter?

Io is believed to be mostly rock and iron, much like Earth. How does its density compare to Earth's density?

Which chemical in the atmosphere of Titan (a moon of Saturn) plays the same role that water plays on Earth by producing "rain," "snow," and "ice" at the temperature encountered on Titan?

The inner two Galilean satellites of Jupiter differ from the outer two by having

The structure of Callisto, the outer Galilean satellite of Jupiter, is thought to be

The Great Red Spot is

What is the visual appearance of Uranus from space?

How did Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 achieve lasting fame?

The Great Dark Spot on Neptune

The Great Dark Spot on Neptune, photographed by Voyager 2 during its flyby of the planet, is considered to be a

What conditions are considered to be necessary for a planet to be able to generate an intense magnetic field?

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Other Terrestrial Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters