Question 1

Rhea is locked into a synchronous orbit by the strong gravitational pull of Saturn. This suggests that its orbital eccentricity is close to

Accepted Answer

A)  0 
B)  1/2 
C)  1 
D)  B 
A)  0 
B)  1/2 
C)  1 
D)  B

Question 2

Where is the Cassini division found in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  between two major ring systems around Saturn 
B)  between two band systems on the visible "surface" of Jupiter 
C)  between two major groups of asteroids in the asteroid belt 
D)  between the terrestrial and the Jovian planets, occupied by the asteroid belt 
A)  between two major ring systems around Saturn 
B)  between two band systems on the visible "surface" of Jupiter 
C)  between two major groups of asteroids in the asteroid belt 
D)  between the terrestrial and the Jovian planets, occupied by the asteroid belt

Question 3

Eruptions of material into space have been seen to occur from within the bodies of all of these moons EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  Europa. 
B)  Enceladus. 
C)  Io. 
D)  Triton. 
A)  Europa. 
B)  Enceladus. 
C)  Io. 
D)  Triton.

Question 4

Which of these phenomena is NOT seen on Jupiter's satellite Io?

Accepted Answer

A)  lava flows 
B)  volcanic plumes 
C)  sulfur dioxide frost 
D)  impact craters 
A)  lava flows 
B)  volcanic plumes 
C)  sulfur dioxide frost 
D)  impact craters

Question 5

The composition of the clouds seen on Jupiter is

Accepted Answer

A)  similar to the composition of Earth's clouds throughout the whole atmosphere-water droplets and crystals of frozen water. 
B)  very different from the composition of Earth's clouds: almost entirely ammonia and ammonium hydrosulfide crystals and almost no water. 
C)  similar to the composition of Earth's clouds (water droplets and crystals of frozen water) in the higher levels but very different (ammonia crystals) in the lower levels. 
D)  similar to the composition of 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. 
A)  similar to the composition of Earth's clouds throughout the whole atmosphere-water droplets and crystals of frozen water. 
B)  very different from the composition of Earth's clouds: almost entirely ammonia and ammonium hydrosulfide crystals and almost no water. 
C)  similar to the composition of Earth's clouds (water droplets and crystals of frozen water) in the higher levels but very different (ammonia crystals) in the lower levels. 
D)  similar to the composition of 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.

Question 6

On which planet is the Great Red Spot found?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

The MOST prevalent constituent of the interior of Saturn is

Accepted Answer

A)  rock. 
B)  hydrogen. 
C)  carbon dioxide. 
D)  nitrogen. 
A)  rock. 
B)  hydrogen. 
C)  carbon dioxide. 
D)  nitrogen.

Question 8

Jupiter has a magnetic field that is

Accepted Answer

A)  much more powerful than that of Earth. 
B)  about the same strength and extent as that of Earth. 
C)  weak and variable, sometimes existing only above the Great Red Spot. 
D)  very weak, almost nonexistent. 
A)  much more powerful than that of Earth. 
B)  about the same strength and extent as that of Earth. 
C)  weak and variable, sometimes existing only above the Great Red Spot. 
D)  very weak, almost nonexistent.

Question 9

The smaller (non-Galilean) moons of Jupiter all orbit the planet in

Accepted Answer

A)  the prograde direction. 
B)  the retrograde direction. 
C)  directions that are prograde for some of the moons and retrograde for others. 
D)  orbits that cross over both poles of Jupiter. 
A)  the prograde direction. 
B)  the retrograde direction. 
C)  directions that are prograde for some of the moons and retrograde for others. 
D)  orbits that cross over both poles of Jupiter.

Question 10

At what locations are auroras seen on Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  directly above both magnetic poles, with little extension from these regions toward the equator 
B)  only over the major spots in the atmosphere, such as the Great Red Spot, where the magnetic field of Jupiter is disturbed 
C)  in oval regions around Jupiter's magnetic poles but only rarely, if ever, directly over these poles 
D)  along the equator, aligned with the dark bands and light zones 
A)  directly above both magnetic poles, with little extension from these regions toward the equator 
B)  only over the major spots in the atmosphere, such as the Great Red Spot, where the magnetic field of Jupiter is disturbed 
C)  in oval regions around Jupiter's magnetic poles but only rarely, if ever, directly over these poles 
D)  along the equator, aligned with the dark bands and light zones

Question 11

The source of the aurora seen around the magnetic poles of Jupiter is

Accepted Answer

A)  water vapor evaporated from Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto and ionized by solar UV radiation. 
B)  dust from the rings of Jupiter ionized by friction between the different parts of the rings. 
C)  ionized material from a torus surrounding Jupiter along Io's orbit and originating on Io. 
D)  electrons from the solar wind. 
A)  water vapor evaporated from Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto and ionized by solar UV radiation. 
B)  dust from the rings of Jupiter ionized by friction between the different parts of the rings. 
C)  ionized material from a torus surrounding Jupiter along Io's orbit and originating on Io. 
D)  electrons from the solar wind.

Question 12

How does the magnetosphere of Jupiter compare to that of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Jupiter's magnetosphere is very similar to that of Earth. 
B)  Jupiter's magnetosphere is much larger than that of Earth because of Jupiter's large magnetic field and the weakness of the solar wind at Jupiter's orbital distance from the Sun. 
C)  Jupiter has no detectable magnetic field and hence no magnetosphere. 
D)  Jupiter's magnetosphere is much smaller than that of Earth because Jupiter's magnetic field is much stronger than that of Earth. 
A)  Jupiter's magnetosphere is very similar to that of Earth. 
B)  Jupiter's magnetosphere is much larger than that of Earth because of Jupiter's large magnetic field and the weakness of the solar wind at Jupiter's orbital distance from the Sun. 
C)  Jupiter has no detectable magnetic field and hence no magnetosphere. 
D)  Jupiter's magnetosphere is much smaller than that of Earth because Jupiter's magnetic field is much stronger than that of Earth.

Question 13

The major gaps in the rings of Saturn are MOST likely to be caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  beams of charged particles, similar to Earth's Van Allen belts, in Saturn's magnetosphere that clear out this region. 
B)  mutual gravitational interactions between the multitude of particles in the rings. 
C)  the intervention of a massive body that moved through the rings in their early history, leaving the gaps. 
D)  gravitational forces from Saturn and/or its moons that deflect the paths of particles that stray into the gaps. 
A)  beams of charged particles, similar to Earth's Van Allen belts, in Saturn's magnetosphere that clear out this region. 
B)  mutual gravitational interactions between the multitude of particles in the rings. 
C)  the intervention of a massive body that moved through the rings in their early history, leaving the gaps. 
D)  gravitational forces from Saturn and/or its moons that deflect the paths of particles that stray into the gaps.

Question 14

Which one of these does NOT contribute in a significant way to the energy radiated outward by Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  the decay of radioactive elements in the planet's core 
B)  reflection of radiation absorbed from the Sun 
C)  magnetic energy released by Jupiter's enormous magnetic field 
D)  gravitational potential energy released as Jupiter continues to contract 
A)  the decay of radioactive elements in the planet's core 
B)  reflection of radiation absorbed from the Sun 
C)  magnetic energy released by Jupiter's enormous magnetic field 
D)  gravitational potential energy released as Jupiter continues to contract

Question 15

Jupiter's satellite Io has numerous black spots on its surface. What are these spots?

Accepted Answer

A)  volcanic vents 
B)  impact craters 
C)  collapsed features in an icy crust 
D)  debris from comets 
A)  volcanic vents 
B)  impact craters 
C)  collapsed features in an icy crust 
D)  debris from comets

Question 16

What is the order of rotation periods for the Galilean moons, from shortest to longest? (Hint: All four moons are in synchronous orbits.)

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Saturn, like Jupiter, is composed primarily of

Accepted Answer

A)  gases. 
B)  liquids. 
C)  solids. 
D)  plasma. 
A)  gases. 
B)  liquids. 
C)  solids. 
D)  plasma.

Question 18

The rotation period of Jupiter is

Accepted Answer

A)  relatively short, on the order of 10 hours. 
B)  very short, on the order of 1 hour. 
C)  very long-several weeks-because of its great size and mass. 
D)  long, on the order of several days. 
A)  relatively short, on the order of 10 hours. 
B)  very short, on the order of 1 hour. 
C)  very long-several weeks-because of its great size and mass. 
D)  long, on the order of several days.

Question 19

Are auroras known to exist on Ganymede?

Accepted Answer

A)  No. It is much too cold for auroras to exist on Ganymede. 
B)  No. Ganymede is too far from the Sun to have appreciable numbers of solar charged particles interact with its magnetic field. 
C)  Yes. Charged particles from Jupiter's magnetosphere interact with Ganymede's atmosphere to produce auroras. 
D)  Yes. Sulfur ions from the Io torus interact with Ganymede's magnetic field to produce a primarily yellow aurora. 
A)  No. It is much too cold for auroras to exist on Ganymede. 
B)  No. Ganymede is too far from the Sun to have appreciable numbers of solar charged particles interact with its magnetic field. 
C)  Yes. Charged particles from Jupiter's magnetosphere interact with Ganymede's atmosphere to produce auroras. 
D)  Yes. Sulfur ions from the Io torus interact with Ganymede's magnetic field to produce a primarily yellow aurora.

Question 20

Triton, the giant moon of Neptune, differs from all other major moons of the planets because

Accepted Answer

A)  its orbit is very elliptical. 
B)  it orbits faster than the rotation of the planet. 
C)  it orbits in a retrograde direction, opposite to the planet's rotation. 
D)  its orbit takes it over the planet's poles. 
A)  its orbit is very elliptical. 
B)  it orbits faster than the rotation of the planet. 
C)  it orbits in a retrograde direction, opposite to the planet's rotation. 
D)  its orbit takes it over the planet's poles.

Rhea is locked into a synchronous orbit by the strong gravitational pull of Saturn. This suggests that its orbital eccentricity is close to

Where is the Cassini division found in the solar system?

Eruptions of material into space have been seen to occur from within the bodies of all of these moons EXCEPT

Which of these phenomena is NOT seen on Jupiter's satellite Io?

The composition of the clouds seen on Jupiter is

On which planet is the Great Red Spot found?

The MOST prevalent constituent of the interior of Saturn is

Jupiter has a magnetic field that is

The smaller (non-Galilean) moons of Jupiter all orbit the planet in

At what locations are auroras seen on Jupiter?

The source of the aurora seen around the magnetic poles of Jupiter is

How does the magnetosphere of Jupiter compare to that of Earth?

The major gaps in the rings of Saturn are MOST likely to be caused by

Which one of these does NOT contribute in a significant way to the energy radiated outward by Jupiter?

Jupiter's satellite Io has numerous black spots on its surface. What are these spots?

What is the order of rotation periods for the Galilean moons, from shortest to longest? (Hint: All four moons are in synchronous orbits.)

Saturn, like Jupiter, is composed primarily of

The rotation period of Jupiter is

Are auroras known to exist on Ganymede?

Triton, the giant moon of Neptune, differs from all other major moons of the planets because

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

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Cosmology

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Exam 9: The Outer Planets

Rhea is locked into a synchronous orbit by the strong gravitational pull of Saturn. This suggests that its orbital eccentricity is close to

Where is the Cassini division found in the solar system?

Eruptions of material into space have been seen to occur from within the bodies of all of these moons EXCEPT

Which of these phenomena is NOT seen on Jupiter's satellite Io?

The composition of the clouds seen on Jupiter is

On which planet is the Great Red Spot found?

The MOST prevalent constituent of the interior of Saturn is

Jupiter has a magnetic field that is

The smaller (non-Galilean) moons of Jupiter all orbit the planet in

At what locations are auroras seen on Jupiter?

The source of the aurora seen around the magnetic poles of Jupiter is

How does the magnetosphere of Jupiter compare to that of Earth?

The major gaps in the rings of Saturn are MOST likely to be caused by

Which one of these does NOT contribute in a significant way to the energy radiated outward by Jupiter?

Jupiter's satellite Io has numerous black spots on its surface. What are these spots?

What is the order of rotation periods for the Galilean moons, from shortest to longest? (Hint: All four moons are in synchronous orbits.)

Saturn, like Jupiter, is composed primarily of

The rotation period of Jupiter is

Are auroras known to exist on Ganymede?

Triton, the giant moon of Neptune, differs from all other major moons of the planets because

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