Question 1

The outer three Galilean moons of Jupiter differ from Io, the innermost Galilean moon, because they have surfaces of

Accepted Answer

A)  smoothly polished rock. 
B)  carbon dioxide ice. 
C)  sulfur. 
D)  water ice. 
A)  smoothly polished rock. 
B)  carbon dioxide ice. 
C)  sulfur. 
D)  water ice.

Question 2

How was Neptune discovered?

Accepted Answer

A)  accidentally, by an astronomer taking photographs for an all-sky survey 
B)  accidentally, by an astronomer studying the sky visually through a telescope 
C)  by a careful application of Newton's laws to the somewhat irregular motions of Uranus 
D)  by a careful search with the Hubble Space Telescope 
A)  accidentally, by an astronomer taking photographs for an all-sky survey 
B)  accidentally, by an astronomer studying the sky visually through a telescope 
C)  by a careful application of Newton's laws to the somewhat irregular motions of Uranus 
D)  by a careful search with the Hubble Space Telescope

Question 3

One interesting feature of Jupiter's rotation is the fact that

Accepted Answer

A)  the direction of Jupiter's rotation is opposite to that of most of the planets and opposite to its direction of revolution around the Sun. 
B)  Jupiter's rotation rate has slowed down significantly since it was first observed through telescopes in the 1600s. 
C)  regions of Jupiter at different latitudes appear to rotate at different rates. 
D)  Jupiter's axis of rotation lies almost in the plane of its orbit. 
A)  the direction of Jupiter's rotation is opposite to that of most of the planets and opposite to its direction of revolution around the Sun. 
B)  Jupiter's rotation rate has slowed down significantly since it was first observed through telescopes in the 1600s. 
C)  regions of Jupiter at different latitudes appear to rotate at different rates. 
D)  Jupiter's axis of rotation lies almost in the plane of its orbit.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A)  drifting lakes 
B)  sand dune-like features 
C)  a high mountain range 
D)  water on the surface 
A)  drifting lakes 
B)  sand dune-like features 
C)  a high mountain range 
D)  water on the surface

Question 5

Jupiter is sometimes described as a "failed star," suggesting that if it had more mass it would have developed as a star rather than as a planet and that we would live in a binary star system. Is this possible? How many times more massive would Jupiter have to be for this development to have taken place?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes. Jupiter would need only about double its present mass. 
B)  Yes. Jupiter would need slightly less than 100 times its present mass. 
C)  Yes, but Jupiter would need thousands of times its present mass. 
D)  No. No amount of extra mass could make a planet into a star. 
A)  Yes. Jupiter would need only about double its present mass. 
B)  Yes. Jupiter would need slightly less than 100 times its present mass. 
C)  Yes, but Jupiter would need thousands of times its present mass. 
D)  No. No amount of extra mass could make a planet into a star.

Question 6

The magnetic field strength at Jupiter's "surface" exceeds that at Earth's equatorial surface by a factor of about

Accepted Answer

A)  20,000. 
B)  1 million. 
C)  14. 
D)  2. 
A)  20,000. 
B)  1 million. 
C)  14. 
D)  2.

Question 7

The Cassini spacecraft observed an unusual feature on Rhea. What was it?

Accepted Answer

A)  a large volcano 
B)  scarps (long lines of cliffs) 
C)  plate tectonics 
D)  a satellite in orbit around Rhea 
A)  a large volcano 
B)  scarps (long lines of cliffs) 
C)  plate tectonics 
D)  a satellite in orbit around Rhea

Question 8

How did the Great Dark Spot, observed on Neptune, compare to Jupiter's Great Red Spot?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Great Dark Spot was much smaller in relation to Neptune's size. 
B)  The Great Dark Spot wandered over Neptune's surface, whereas the Great Red Spot remains relatively fixed. 
C)  The Great Dark Spot disappeared after a few years. 
D)  The Great Dark Spot was matched by a similar spot on the opposite side of the planet, whereas the Great Red Spot is solitary. 
A)  The Great Dark Spot was much smaller in relation to Neptune's size. 
B)  The Great Dark Spot wandered over Neptune's surface, whereas the Great Red Spot remains relatively fixed. 
C)  The Great Dark Spot disappeared after a few years. 
D)  The Great Dark Spot was matched by a similar spot on the opposite side of the planet, whereas the Great Red Spot is solitary.

Question 9

What is believed to be the source of the many colors seen on the surface of Io, the inner large satellite of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  impurities in a water-ice crust 
B)  sulfur and sulfur compounds 
C)  phosphorus compounds 
D)  organic (carbon) compounds discolored by solar ultraviolet light 
A)  impurities in a water-ice crust 
B)  sulfur and sulfur compounds 
C)  phosphorus compounds 
D)  organic (carbon) compounds discolored by solar ultraviolet light

Question 10

To generate a planetwide magnetic field requires a body to rotate and to contain some liquid that is electrically conductive. What is believed to be the source of the magnetic field of Enceladus?

Accepted Answer

A)  molten nickel-iron, as on Earth 
B)  salty ice water 
C)  liquid metallic hydrogen, as on Saturn 
D)  Enceladus is too small to generate its own magnetic field, so this must be an induced field, caused by the presence of Saturn. 
A)  molten nickel-iron, as on Earth 
B)  salty ice water 
C)  liquid metallic hydrogen, as on Saturn 
D)  Enceladus is too small to generate its own magnetic field, so this must be an induced field, caused by the presence of Saturn.

Question 11

What have planetary scientists observed about the evolution of the red spots and white and brown ovals in Jupiter's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  All of these seem to be permanent with no discernible changes over the 4 centuries of observing them. 
B)  Brown ovals routinely change into white ovals and then back into brown. 
C)  White ovals have been observed to merge to create a red spot. 
D)  The Great Red Spot seems too create and spin off other smaller red spots. 
A)  All of these seem to be permanent with no discernible changes over the 4 centuries of observing them. 
B)  Brown ovals routinely change into white ovals and then back into brown. 
C)  White ovals have been observed to merge to create a red spot. 
D)  The Great Red Spot seems too create and spin off other smaller red spots.

Question 12

The rotation periods for the Jovian planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are

Accepted Answer

A)  somewhat shorter than that of Earth, between 10 to 20 hours. 
B)  reasonably long, on the order of several Earth days. 
C)  much shorter than that of Earth, between 1 and 2 hours. 
D)  very long, on the order of years, because of the sizes of these planets. 
A)  somewhat shorter than that of Earth, between 10 to 20 hours. 
B)  reasonably long, on the order of several Earth days. 
C)  much shorter than that of Earth, between 1 and 2 hours. 
D)  very long, on the order of years, because of the sizes of these planets.

Question 13

Of these characteristics of the magnetic field of Uranus, which one is NOT unusual when compared to other magnetic fields in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  The magnetosphere wobbles considerably as the planet rotates. 
B)  The strength of the magnetic field is less than that of Earth's field. 
C)  The center of the field is well removed from the center of Uranus. 
D)  The magnetic field axis is 59 degrees from the planet's rotation axis. 
A)  The magnetosphere wobbles considerably as the planet rotates. 
B)  The strength of the magnetic field is less than that of Earth's field. 
C)  The center of the field is well removed from the center of Uranus. 
D)  The magnetic field axis is 59 degrees from the planet's rotation axis.

Question 14

When viewed from Earth, the apparent angular diameter of Jupiter appears to vary with time because

Accepted Answer

A)  the amount of sunlight reaching Jupiter varies with time. 
B)  the absorption of radiation by interplanetary dust between Jupiter and Earth varies with time. 
C)  Jupiter is a fluid planet, and its size and brightness both pulsate with a long oscillation period. 
D)  the distance between Jupiter and Earth varies. 
A)  the amount of sunlight reaching Jupiter varies with time. 
B)  the absorption of radiation by interplanetary dust between Jupiter and Earth varies with time. 
C)  Jupiter is a fluid planet, and its size and brightness both pulsate with a long oscillation period. 
D)  the distance between Jupiter and Earth varies.

Question 15

Compared to Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn, the magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune

Accepted Answer

A)  have axes that are tilted a long way from the spin axis of the planets. 
B)  have axes that are aligned almost exactly with the planet's spin axis. 
C)  are nonexistent because Uranus and Neptune have no magnetic fields. 
D)  are much more powerful, dominating the motions of clouds on these planets. 
A)  have axes that are tilted a long way from the spin axis of the planets. 
B)  have axes that are aligned almost exactly with the planet's spin axis. 
C)  are nonexistent because Uranus and Neptune have no magnetic fields. 
D)  are much more powerful, dominating the motions of clouds on these planets.

Question 16

The plumes that were seen rising from the surface of Triton, Neptune's largest satellite, are believed to be

Accepted Answer

A)  nitrogen gas driven through fissures from beneath the surface by radioactive heat. 
B)  volcanic ash from eruptions similar to but much smaller than Earthbound eruptions. 
C)  sulfur dioxide from geysers heated by tidal stresses. 
D)  water, methane, and ammonia ice crystals above volcanic vents. 
A)  nitrogen gas driven through fissures from beneath the surface by radioactive heat. 
B)  volcanic ash from eruptions similar to but much smaller than Earthbound eruptions. 
C)  sulfur dioxide from geysers heated by tidal stresses. 
D)  water, methane, and ammonia ice crystals above volcanic vents.

Question 17

What material serves as the main electrical conductor in Jupiter's interior?

Accepted Answer

A)  liquid metallic helium 
B)  solid metallic hydrogen 
C)  liquid metallic hydrogen 
D)  a molten iron-nickel mixture 
A)  liquid metallic helium 
B)  solid metallic hydrogen 
C)  liquid metallic hydrogen 
D)  a molten iron-nickel mixture

Question 18

The unusual surface terrain on Uranus's satellite Miranda is believed to have originated

Accepted Answer

A)  in tectonic plate motion. 
B)  when an impactor struck the body and remained embedded. 
C)  in a powerful internal explosion that occurred early in Miranda's history. 
D)  when large blocks of ice and rock were lifted off the surface in an impact and then settled back. 
A)  in tectonic plate motion. 
B)  when an impactor struck the body and remained embedded. 
C)  in a powerful internal explosion that occurred early in Miranda's history. 
D)  when large blocks of ice and rock were lifted off the surface in an impact and then settled back.

Question 19

Which of these features does Saturn's satellite Enceladus probably NOT possess?

Accepted Answer

A)  molten lava flowing from active volcanoes 
B)  liquid water under its surface 
C)  thin atmosphere 
D)  a magnetic field 
A)  molten lava flowing from active volcanoes 
B)  liquid water under its surface 
C)  thin atmosphere 
D)  a magnetic field

Question 20

Around which object does Titan orbit?

Accepted Answer

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

The outer three Galilean moons of Jupiter differ from Io, the innermost Galilean moon, because they have surfaces of

How was Neptune discovered?

One interesting feature of Jupiter's rotation is the fact that

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

The magnetic field strength at Jupiter's "surface" exceeds that at Earth's equatorial surface by a factor of about

The Cassini spacecraft observed an unusual feature on Rhea. What was it?

How did the Great Dark Spot, observed on Neptune, compare to Jupiter's Great Red Spot?

What is believed to be the source of the many colors seen on the surface of Io, the inner large satellite of Jupiter?

To generate a planetwide magnetic field requires a body to rotate and to contain some liquid that is electrically conductive. What is believed to be the source of the magnetic field of Enceladus?

What have planetary scientists observed about the evolution of the red spots and white and brown ovals in Jupiter's atmosphere?

The rotation periods for the Jovian planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are

Of these characteristics of the magnetic field of Uranus, which one is NOT unusual when compared to other magnetic fields in the solar system?

When viewed from Earth, the apparent angular diameter of Jupiter appears to vary with time because

Compared to Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn, the magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune

The plumes that were seen rising from the surface of Triton, Neptune's largest satellite, are believed to be

What material serves as the main electrical conductor in Jupiter's interior?

The unusual surface terrain on Uranus's satellite Miranda is believed to have originated

Which of these features does Saturn's satellite Enceladus probably NOT possess?

Around which object does Titan orbit?

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 outer three Galilean moons of Jupiter differ from Io, the innermost Galilean moon, because they have surfaces of

How was Neptune discovered?

One interesting feature of Jupiter's rotation is the fact that

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

The magnetic field strength at Jupiter's "surface" exceeds that at Earth's equatorial surface by a factor of about

The Cassini spacecraft observed an unusual feature on Rhea. What was it?

How did the Great Dark Spot, observed on Neptune, compare to Jupiter's Great Red Spot?

What is believed to be the source of the many colors seen on the surface of Io, the inner large satellite of Jupiter?

To generate a planetwide magnetic field requires a body to rotate and to contain some liquid that is electrically conductive. What is believed to be the source of the magnetic field of Enceladus?

What have planetary scientists observed about the evolution of the red spots and white and brown ovals in Jupiter's atmosphere?

The rotation periods for the Jovian planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are

Of these characteristics of the magnetic field of Uranus, which one is NOT unusual when compared to other magnetic fields in the solar system?

When viewed from Earth, the apparent angular diameter of Jupiter appears to vary with time because

Compared to Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn, the magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune

The plumes that were seen rising from the surface of Triton, Neptune's largest satellite, are believed to be

What material serves as the main electrical conductor in Jupiter's interior?

The unusual surface terrain on Uranus's satellite Miranda is believed to have originated

Which of these features does Saturn's satellite Enceladus probably NOT possess?

Around which object does Titan orbit?

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