Question 1

One distinctive feature that is visible on the "surface" of Jupiter through a telescope from Earth is

Accepted Answer

A)  the Great Red Spot. 
B)  Olympus Mons. 
C)  the Cassini Division. 
D)  the northern auroral oval. 
A)  the Great Red Spot. 
B)  Olympus Mons. 
C)  the Cassini Division. 
D)  the northern auroral oval.

Question 2

What basic optical process makes the rings of Saturn visible to observers on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  absorption of sunlight, making the rings appear dark against the bright sunlit planet 
B)  refraction of sunlight by ice crystals 
C)  self-emission of light from atoms of the ring material under UV excitation 
D)  scattering of sunlight 
A)  absorption of sunlight, making the rings appear dark against the bright sunlit planet 
B)  refraction of sunlight by ice crystals 
C)  self-emission of light from atoms of the ring material under UV excitation 
D)  scattering of sunlight

Question 3

What is significant about the rotational and orbital motions of the Galilean moons of Jupiter in which they mimic the behavior of Earth's Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  nonsynchronous rotation, with axes of rotation in any direction with respect to their orbital plane 
B)  nonsynchronous rotation, with independent periods of rotation and revolution and spin axes perpendicular to their orbit 
C)  synchronous rotation, with one face always pointed toward the planet 
D)  synchronous rotation, with one face always pointed toward the Sun 
A)  nonsynchronous rotation, with axes of rotation in any direction with respect to their orbital plane 
B)  nonsynchronous rotation, with independent periods of rotation and revolution and spin axes perpendicular to their orbit 
C)  synchronous rotation, with one face always pointed toward the planet 
D)  synchronous rotation, with one face always pointed toward the Sun

Question 4

If the orbital period of Jupiter's moon Ganymede is 7.15 days, what would be the view from a point on its surface at the equator?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both the Sun and Jupiter would remain fixed in the sky above Ganymede. 
B)  Both Jupiter and the Sun would rise and set with a period of about 7.15 days. 
C)  The Sun, if visible, would always be at the same point in the sky, but Jupiter would rise and set with a period of about 7.15 days. 
D)  Jupiter, if visible, would always remain at the same point in the sky, but the Sun would rise and set with a period of a few days. 
A)  Both the Sun and Jupiter would remain fixed in the sky above Ganymede. 
B)  Both Jupiter and the Sun would rise and set with a period of about 7.15 days. 
C)  The Sun, if visible, would always be at the same point in the sky, but Jupiter would rise and set with a period of about 7.15 days. 
D)  Jupiter, if visible, would always remain at the same point in the sky, but the Sun would rise and set with a period of a few days.

Question 5

The expected seasonal changes on Uranus because of its orbital and spin-axis alignments, compared with those on Earth, are

Accepted Answer

A)  the same. 
B)  absent because of the alignment of the spin axis. 
C)  very much exaggerated. 
D)  much less. 
A)  the same. 
B)  absent because of the alignment of the spin axis. 
C)  very much exaggerated. 
D)  much less.

Question 6

"Visible features" on the surface of Saturn are

Accepted Answer

A)  of a completely different pattern from those on Jupiter and more distinct. 
B)  similar in appearance to those on Jupiter but much less distinct. 
C)  similar to those on Jupiter but much more pronounced. 
D)  nonexistent because Saturn shows completely uniform cloud tops. 
A)  of a completely different pattern from those on Jupiter and more distinct. 
B)  similar in appearance to those on Jupiter but much less distinct. 
C)  similar to those on Jupiter but much more pronounced. 
D)  nonexistent because Saturn shows completely uniform cloud tops.

Question 7

A plasma torus has been discovered around Jupiter associated with each of these moons:

Accepted Answer

A)  Io and Europa 
B)  Io and Ganymede 
C)  Europa and Ganymede 
D)  all four Galilean moons 
A)  Io and Europa 
B)  Io and Ganymede 
C)  Europa and Ganymede 
D)  all four Galilean moons

Question 8

What is the MOST probable physical mechanism to have caused the very long cracks and streaks that crisscross the surface of Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  Volcanic eruptions caused lava flows, which then froze in place. 
B)  The "cracks" are frozen rivers that, in warmer times, were flowing across the moon's surface. 
C)  The "cracks" are actually the tops of gigantic greenhouses, built by inhabitants of Europa to protect their cucumber crops. 
D)  Tidal flexing by Jupiter and its moons cracked the icy surface, allowing subsurface fluids to gush out and freeze in place. 
A)  Volcanic eruptions caused lava flows, which then froze in place. 
B)  The "cracks" are frozen rivers that, in warmer times, were flowing across the moon's surface. 
C)  The "cracks" are actually the tops of gigantic greenhouses, built by inhabitants of Europa to protect their cucumber crops. 
D)  Tidal flexing by Jupiter and its moons cracked the icy surface, allowing subsurface fluids to gush out and freeze in place.

Question 9

Which one of these features has NOT been found on Titan?

Accepted Answer

A)  lakes and rivers of liquid methane 
B)  evidence of plate tectonics 
C)  sand dunes 
D)  significant atmospheric oxygen 
A)  lakes and rivers of liquid methane 
B)  evidence of plate tectonics 
C)  sand dunes 
D)  significant atmospheric oxygen

Question 10

The dark, reddish bands on Jupiter are called

Accepted Answer

A)  streams. 
B)  zones. 
C)  voids. 
D)  belts. 
A)  streams. 
B)  zones. 
C)  voids. 
D)  belts.

Question 11

Which planetary satellite shows strong evidence of disruption by an impact at some time in its history and of subsequent partial reassembly and reshaping by self-gravity?

Accepted Answer

A)  Callisto 
B)  Io 
C)  Triton 
D)  Miranda 
A)  Callisto 
B)  Io 
C)  Triton 
D)  Miranda

Question 12

The gravitational effect that confines the particles of the F ring of Saturn to a narrow orbit is the

Accepted Answer

A)  major gravitational distortion caused by the neighboring planet Jupiter. 
B)  pressure of the solar wind upon these particles. 
C)  gravitational influence of two small shepherding satellites in orbits adjacent to the ring. 
D)  gravitational effects of the major moons of Saturn, such as Mimas and Enceladus. 
A)  major gravitational distortion caused by the neighboring planet Jupiter. 
B)  pressure of the solar wind upon these particles. 
C)  gravitational influence of two small shepherding satellites in orbits adjacent to the ring. 
D)  gravitational effects of the major moons of Saturn, such as Mimas and Enceladus.

Question 13

Where in the universe would one look for Ganymede?

Accepted Answer

A)  in the asteroid belt 
B)  around the planet Mars because it is one of the moons of Mars 
C)  on the Moon because it is one of the largest maria 
D)  near Jupiter because it is one of Jupiter's moons 
A)  in the asteroid belt 
B)  around the planet Mars because it is one of the moons of Mars 
C)  on the Moon because it is one of the largest maria 
D)  near Jupiter because it is one of Jupiter's moons

Question 14

Which gas is thought to be responsible for the tremendous eruptions of material from Jupiter's innermost Galilean moon, Io, by providing the propulsive forces?

Accepted Answer

A)  oxygen, O2 
B)  sulfur dioxide, SO2 
C)  carbon dioxide, CO2 
D)  steam, or heated water vapor 
A)  oxygen, O2 
B)  sulfur dioxide, SO2 
C)  carbon dioxide, CO2 
D)  steam, or heated water vapor

Question 15

Which planet is characterized by a blue-green appearance and white, high-altitude methane clouds surrounding dark storms?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

Which of these BEST describes the interior structure of Saturn?

Accepted Answer

A)  rocky core, thick mantle of liquid metallic hydrogen and helium, thick layer of molecular hydrogen and helium, thin gaseous atmosphere 
B)  rocky core, thin mantle of liquid metallic hydrogen and helium, thick layer of molecular hydrogen and helium, relatively thin gaseous atmosphere 
C)  large iron core, molten rock mantle, thin gaseous atmosphere 
D)  large, liquid, metallic hydrogen core overlaid by a thick gaseous atmosphere 
A)  rocky core, thick mantle of liquid metallic hydrogen and helium, thick layer of molecular hydrogen and helium, thin gaseous atmosphere 
B)  rocky core, thin mantle of liquid metallic hydrogen and helium, thick layer of molecular hydrogen and helium, relatively thin gaseous atmosphere 
C)  large iron core, molten rock mantle, thin gaseous atmosphere 
D)  large, liquid, metallic hydrogen core overlaid by a thick gaseous atmosphere

Question 17

What future awaits Triton, the largest satellite of Neptune?

Accepted Answer

A)  probable destruction from impact by Pluto 
B)  gravitational capture by Pluto 
C)  escape from Neptune after billions of years, as Triton gradually spirals outward 
D)  tidal breakup as it spirals closer to Neptune 
A)  probable destruction from impact by Pluto 
B)  gravitational capture by Pluto 
C)  escape from Neptune after billions of years, as Triton gradually spirals outward 
D)  tidal breakup as it spirals closer to Neptune

Question 18

What peculiar feature accompanies Io in its orbit around Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  torus or ring of ionized sulfur and oxygen atoms and electrons 
B)  cometlike tail of rocks and dust, shining by reflected sunlight 
C)  narrow ring of rocks and dust, Jupiter's ring, at about Io's orbital distance 
D)  auroral storm in the magnetosphere that always keeps pace with Io 
A)  torus or ring of ionized sulfur and oxygen atoms and electrons 
B)  cometlike tail of rocks and dust, shining by reflected sunlight 
C)  narrow ring of rocks and dust, Jupiter's ring, at about Io's orbital distance 
D)  auroral storm in the magnetosphere that always keeps pace with Io

Question 19

Io, one of the major moons of Jupiter, is undergoing extensive volcanic activity associated with interior heating that is caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  deposition of energy by particles from within Jupiter's Van Allen belts. 
B)  original heat caused by gravitational condensation at the moon's formation. 
C)  tidal distortion and internal friction because of flexing. 
D)  solar radiation and heat falling on the surface. 
A)  deposition of energy by particles from within Jupiter's Van Allen belts. 
B)  original heat caused by gravitational condensation at the moon's formation. 
C)  tidal distortion and internal friction because of flexing. 
D)  solar radiation and heat falling on the surface.

Question 20

The particles in Saturn's rings

Accepted Answer

A)  move in circular orbits; the outer particles move fastest. 
B)  revolve in different directions depending on the distance from the planet; the reversal of this direction is at the Cassini division. 
C)  all move as if they were one solid disk. 
D)  move in circular orbits; the inner particles move fastest. 
A)  move in circular orbits; the outer particles move fastest. 
B)  revolve in different directions depending on the distance from the planet; the reversal of this direction is at the Cassini division. 
C)  all move as if they were one solid disk. 
D)  move in circular orbits; the inner particles move fastest.

One distinctive feature that is visible on the "surface" of Jupiter through a telescope from Earth is

What basic optical process makes the rings of Saturn visible to observers on Earth?

What is significant about the rotational and orbital motions of the Galilean moons of Jupiter in which they mimic the behavior of Earth's Moon?

If the orbital period of Jupiter's moon Ganymede is 7.15 days, what would be the view from a point on its surface at the equator?

The expected seasonal changes on Uranus because of its orbital and spin-axis alignments, compared with those on Earth, are

"Visible features" on the surface of Saturn are

A plasma torus has been discovered around Jupiter associated with each of these moons:

What is the MOST probable physical mechanism to have caused the very long cracks and streaks that crisscross the surface of Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter?

Which one of these features has NOT been found on Titan?

The dark, reddish bands on Jupiter are called

Which planetary satellite shows strong evidence of disruption by an impact at some time in its history and of subsequent partial reassembly and reshaping by self-gravity?

The gravitational effect that confines the particles of the F ring of Saturn to a narrow orbit is the

Where in the universe would one look for Ganymede?

Which gas is thought to be responsible for the tremendous eruptions of material from Jupiter's innermost Galilean moon, Io, by providing the propulsive forces?

Which planet is characterized by a blue-green appearance and white, high-altitude methane clouds surrounding dark storms?

Which of these BEST describes the interior structure of Saturn?

What future awaits Triton, the largest satellite of Neptune?

What peculiar feature accompanies Io in its orbit around Jupiter?

Io, one of the major moons of Jupiter, is undergoing extensive volcanic activity associated with interior heating that is caused by

The particles in Saturn's rings

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

One distinctive feature that is visible on the "surface" of Jupiter through a telescope from Earth is

What basic optical process makes the rings of Saturn visible to observers on Earth?

What is significant about the rotational and orbital motions of the Galilean moons of Jupiter in which they mimic the behavior of Earth's Moon?

If the orbital period of Jupiter's moon Ganymede is 7.15 days, what would be the view from a point on its surface at the equator?

The expected seasonal changes on Uranus because of its orbital and spin-axis alignments, compared with those on Earth, are

"Visible features" on the surface of Saturn are

A plasma torus has been discovered around Jupiter associated with each of these moons:

What is the MOST probable physical mechanism to have caused the very long cracks and streaks that crisscross the surface of Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter?

Which one of these features has NOT been found on Titan?

The dark, reddish bands on Jupiter are called

Which planetary satellite shows strong evidence of disruption by an impact at some time in its history and of subsequent partial reassembly and reshaping by self-gravity?

The gravitational effect that confines the particles of the F ring of Saturn to a narrow orbit is the

Where in the universe would one look for Ganymede?

Which gas is thought to be responsible for the tremendous eruptions of material from Jupiter's innermost Galilean moon, Io, by providing the propulsive forces?

Which planet is characterized by a blue-green appearance and white, high-altitude methane clouds surrounding dark storms?

Which of these BEST describes the interior structure of Saturn?

What future awaits Triton, the largest satellite of Neptune?

What peculiar feature accompanies Io in its orbit around Jupiter?

Io, one of the major moons of Jupiter, is undergoing extensive volcanic activity associated with interior heating that is caused by

The particles in Saturn's rings

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