Question 1

Which planetary satellites are known to have plumes of gas escaping through their surfaces?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth's Moon, Europa, and Miranda 
B)  Io and Triton 
C)  Ganymede and Charon 
D)  Io and Titan 
A)  Earth's Moon, Europa, and Miranda 
B)  Io and Triton 
C)  Ganymede and Charon 
D)  Io and Titan

Question 2

Miranda, a satellite of Uranus,

Accepted Answer

A)  shows active geysers and resurfacing due to water flows. 
B)  has a thick atmosphere containing methane, nitrogen, and hydrocarbons. 
C)  shows an ancient surface uniformly covered with impact craters. 
D)  appears to have been reassembled from separate parts after being shattered by an impact. 
A)  shows active geysers and resurfacing due to water flows. 
B)  has a thick atmosphere containing methane, nitrogen, and hydrocarbons. 
C)  shows an ancient surface uniformly covered with impact craters. 
D)  appears to have been reassembled from separate parts after being shattered by an impact.

Question 3

On which one of Jupiter's Galilean moons is there evidence of present tectonic activity?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

The rings of Uranus were

Accepted Answer

A)  predicted theoretically because of the planet's similarity to Saturn. 
B)  first discovered while observing the occultation of a star by the Uranian system. 
C)  first discovered by Voyager 2 on its flyby in 1986. 
D)  first observed by Galileo. 
A)  predicted theoretically because of the planet's similarity to Saturn. 
B)  first discovered while observing the occultation of a star by the Uranian system. 
C)  first discovered by Voyager 2 on its flyby in 1986. 
D)  first observed by Galileo.

Question 5

The surprising fact about the magnetic field of Uranus compared with the magnetic field of Earth or Jupiter is that

Accepted Answer

A)  its axis is precisely aligned with the spin axis of the planet. 
B)  it is extremely small and localized in specific regions of the planet. 
C)  it is much more intense than that of any other planet. 
D)  its axis makes a larger angle to the planet's spin axis than that of any other planet. 
A)  its axis is precisely aligned with the spin axis of the planet. 
B)  it is extremely small and localized in specific regions of the planet. 
C)  it is much more intense than that of any other planet. 
D)  its axis makes a larger angle to the planet's spin axis than that of any other planet.

Question 6

The Roche limit around a planet is defined as the

Accepted Answer

A)  distance beyond which the orbital velocity of a body in a Keplerian orbit is greater than the escape velocity, and matter is no longer captured by the planet. 
B)  distance inside which a solid satellite (e.g., a fragment of rock) will be pulled apart by tidal forces. 
C)  outer extent of the magnetic field of the planet, or the magnetospheric boundary. 
D)  distance at which a planet creates tides on its moon's surface high enough to pull its moon apart. 
A)  distance beyond which the orbital velocity of a body in a Keplerian orbit is greater than the escape velocity, and matter is no longer captured by the planet. 
B)  distance inside which a solid satellite (e.g., a fragment of rock) will be pulled apart by tidal forces. 
C)  outer extent of the magnetic field of the planet, or the magnetospheric boundary. 
D)  distance at which a planet creates tides on its moon's surface high enough to pull its moon apart.

Question 7

Which planets are believed to have a thick layer of water mixed with ammonia and methane in their interiors?

Accepted Answer

A)  Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune 
B)  Saturn and Neptune 
C)  Uranus and Neptune 
D)  Saturn and Uranus 
A)  Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune 
B)  Saturn and Neptune 
C)  Uranus and Neptune 
D)  Saturn and Uranus

Question 8

How many large, spherical moons are in orbit around Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  11 
B)  4 
C)  none 
D)  16 
A)  11 
B)  4 
C)  none 
D)  16

Question 9

The effect of tidal forces caused by Triton on Neptune as it moves in its retrograde orbit will lead to Triton

Accepted Answer

A)  spiraling outward from Neptune with an eventual escape. 
B)  spiraling in toward Neptune to eventual destruction by differential tidal forces on the moon. 
C)  being captured by Pluto when this dwarf planet next passes inside the orbit of Neptune. 
D)  gradually moving from its elliptical orbit toward a perfectly circular orbit. 
A)  spiraling outward from Neptune with an eventual escape. 
B)  spiraling in toward Neptune to eventual destruction by differential tidal forces on the moon. 
C)  being captured by Pluto when this dwarf planet next passes inside the orbit of Neptune. 
D)  gradually moving from its elliptical orbit toward a perfectly circular orbit.

Question 10

How does the orbital period P of particles moving around in the rings of Saturn depend on the distance r of the particles from the center of the planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  P2 is proportional to r3. 
B)  P is constant for all r because the rings move as a solid disk. 
C)  P is proportional to 1/r2 
D)  P increases directly with r. 
A)  P2 is proportional to r3. 
B)  P is constant for all r because the rings move as a solid disk. 
C)  P is proportional to 1/r2 
D)  P increases directly with r.

Question 11

In 2018, measurements by the spacecraft Juno challenged which aspect of the understanding of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  the extent of its rocky core 
B)  the strength of its magnetic field 
C)  the composition of its cloud layers 
D)  the age of its storms, such as the Great Red Spot 
A)  the extent of its rocky core 
B)  the strength of its magnetic field 
C)  the composition of its cloud layers 
D)  the age of its storms, such as the Great Red Spot

Question 12

The main gravitational effect that organizes the particles in the rings of Saturn into specific narrow orbits is

Accepted Answer

A)  the complex gravitational effects of the planet and the Sun on the ring particles. 
B)  perturbations by neighboring planets, such as Jupiter and Neptune. 
C)  collisions between the ring particles and the major moons of the planets. 
D)  gravitational perturbations by the moons orbiting the planet. 
A)  the complex gravitational effects of the planet and the Sun on the ring particles. 
B)  perturbations by neighboring planets, such as Jupiter and Neptune. 
C)  collisions between the ring particles and the major moons of the planets. 
D)  gravitational perturbations by the moons orbiting the planet.

Question 13

Kepler's third law relates the period P and the semimajor axis a of an orbit. For a circular orbit, P = 2 $\pi$a/v, so it is possible also to relate the speed at which the particle orbits, v, to a. The result is

Accepted Answer

A)  as a increases, both P and v increase. 
B)  as a increases, P increases but v decreases. 
C)  as a increases, P decreases but v increases. 
D)  as a increases, both P and v decrease. 
A)  as a increases, both P and v increase. 
B)  as a increases, P increases but v decreases. 
C)  as a increases, P decreases but v increases. 
D)  as a increases, both P and v decrease.

Question 14

The mass of Jupiter compared with that of Earth is

Accepted Answer

A)  about 300 times larger. 
B)  about 1/300 because of Jupiter's low density. 
C)  several thousand times larger. 
D)  about 11 times as large. 
A)  about 300 times larger. 
B)  about 1/300 because of Jupiter's low density. 
C)  several thousand times larger. 
D)  about 11 times as large.

Question 15

As photographed by Voyager 2, the atmosphere of Uranus shows

Accepted Answer

A)  light zones and dark belts circling the planet parallel to the equator. 
B)  dark, whirlpool-like features and high, white clouds of methane ice crystals. 
C)  a pinkish haze due to scattering from silicate dust particles. 
D)  a faint haze over the north pole, but it is otherwise featureless. 
A)  light zones and dark belts circling the planet parallel to the equator. 
B)  dark, whirlpool-like features and high, white clouds of methane ice crystals. 
C)  a pinkish haze due to scattering from silicate dust particles. 
D)  a faint haze over the north pole, but it is otherwise featureless.

Question 16

Which of these early telescope observations provided strong evidence that led Galileo to conclude that the Copernican heliocentric model provided a better explanation for the solar system than the Greek geocentric model?

Accepted Answer

A)  observations of a supernova 
B)  observation of moons orbiting another planet, Jupiter, rather than Earth 
C)  change in apparent angular size of the Moon as it orbits Earth 
D)  change with time in the angular size of Mars 
A)  observations of a supernova 
B)  observation of moons orbiting another planet, Jupiter, rather than Earth 
C)  change in apparent angular size of the Moon as it orbits Earth 
D)  change with time in the angular size of Mars

Question 17

By which collective name (after their discoverer) are the four major moons of Jupiter known?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Ptolemic," after Ptolemy 
B)  "Newtonian," after Newton 
C)  "Copernican," after Copernicus 
D)  "Galilean," after Galileo 
A)  "Ptolemic," after Ptolemy 
B)  "Newtonian," after Newton 
C)  "Copernican," after Copernicus 
D)  "Galilean," after Galileo

Question 18

The very wide range of colors that are seen on the surface of Io results from

Accepted Answer

A)  frozen ices of sulfur dioxide, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. 
B)  the wide range of temperatures, each region emitting its own blackbody spectrum. 
C)  different chemical compounds, each with its own characteristic color, emitted from the volcanoes. 
D)  various forms of sulfur, the color of which can vary widely following exposure to a variety of thermal conditions. 
A)  frozen ices of sulfur dioxide, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. 
B)  the wide range of temperatures, each region emitting its own blackbody spectrum. 
C)  different chemical compounds, each with its own characteristic color, emitted from the volcanoes. 
D)  various forms of sulfur, the color of which can vary widely following exposure to a variety of thermal conditions.

Question 19

The dark spokes in Saturn's rings are MOST likely a result of

Accepted Answer

A)  gravitational interactions with Jupiter. 
B)  clearing of nearby ice particles by moonlets. 
C)  Saturn's magnetic field. 
D)  resonances with Saturn's larger moons. 
A)  gravitational interactions with Jupiter. 
B)  clearing of nearby ice particles by moonlets. 
C)  Saturn's magnetic field. 
D)  resonances with Saturn's larger moons.

Question 20

The surface temperature of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is on average

Accepted Answer

A)  178 K (195°
C) . 
B)  273 K (0°
C) . 
C)  368 K (+95°
C) . 
D)  95 K (-178°
C) . 
A)  178 K (195°
C) . 
B)  273 K (0°
C) . 
C)  368 K (+95°
C) . 
D)  95 K (-178°
C) .

Which planetary satellites are known to have plumes of gas escaping through their surfaces?

Miranda, a satellite of Uranus,

On which one of Jupiter's Galilean moons is there evidence of present tectonic activity?

The rings of Uranus were

The surprising fact about the magnetic field of Uranus compared with the magnetic field of Earth or Jupiter is that

The Roche limit around a planet is defined as the

Which planets are believed to have a thick layer of water mixed with ammonia and methane in their interiors?

How many large, spherical moons are in orbit around Jupiter?

The effect of tidal forces caused by Triton on Neptune as it moves in its retrograde orbit will lead to Triton

How does the orbital period P of particles moving around in the rings of Saturn depend on the distance r of the particles from the center of the planet?

In 2018, measurements by the spacecraft Juno challenged which aspect of the understanding of Jupiter?

The main gravitational effect that organizes the particles in the rings of Saturn into specific narrow orbits is

Kepler's third law relates the period P and the semimajor axis a of an orbit. For a circular orbit, P = 2 $\pi$ a/v, so it is possible also to relate the speed at which the particle orbits, v, to a. The result is

The mass of Jupiter compared with that of Earth is

As photographed by Voyager 2, the atmosphere of Uranus shows

Which of these early telescope observations provided strong evidence that led Galileo to conclude that the Copernican heliocentric model provided a better explanation for the solar system than the Greek geocentric model?

By which collective name (after their discoverer) are the four major moons of Jupiter known?

The very wide range of colors that are seen on the surface of Io results from

The dark spokes in Saturn's rings are MOST likely a result of

The surface temperature of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is on average

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

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Exam 9: The Outer Planets

Which planetary satellites are known to have plumes of gas escaping through their surfaces?

Miranda, a satellite of Uranus,

On which one of Jupiter's Galilean moons is there evidence of present tectonic activity?

The rings of Uranus were

The surprising fact about the magnetic field of Uranus compared with the magnetic field of Earth or Jupiter is that

The Roche limit around a planet is defined as the

Which planets are believed to have a thick layer of water mixed with ammonia and methane in their interiors?

How many large, spherical moons are in orbit around Jupiter?

The effect of tidal forces caused by Triton on Neptune as it moves in its retrograde orbit will lead to Triton

How does the orbital period P of particles moving around in the rings of Saturn depend on the distance r of the particles from the center of the planet?

In 2018, measurements by the spacecraft Juno challenged which aspect of the understanding of Jupiter?

The main gravitational effect that organizes the particles in the rings of Saturn into specific narrow orbits is

Kepler's third law relates the period P and the semimajor axis a of an orbit. For a circular orbit, P = 2 π\piπ a/v, so it is possible also to relate the speed at which the particle orbits, v, to a. The result is

The mass of Jupiter compared with that of Earth is

As photographed by Voyager 2, the atmosphere of Uranus shows

Which of these early telescope observations provided strong evidence that led Galileo to conclude that the Copernican heliocentric model provided a better explanation for the solar system than the Greek geocentric model?

By which collective name (after their discoverer) are the four major moons of Jupiter known?

The very wide range of colors that are seen on the surface of Io results from

The dark spokes in Saturn's rings are MOST likely a result of

The surface temperature of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is on average

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

Kepler's third law relates the period P and the semimajor axis a of an orbit. For a circular orbit, P = 2 $\pi$ a/v, so it is possible also to relate the speed at which the particle orbits, v, to a. The result is