Question 1

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 2

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 3

At what point in its orbit does Jupiter appear to be brightest when viewed from Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  opposition 
B)  Jupiter's brightness does not vary with orbital position because of its almost circular orbit. 
C)  when the Earth-Jupiter line is at right angles to the Sun-Jupiter line 
D)  conjunction 
A)  opposition 
B)  Jupiter's brightness does not vary with orbital position because of its almost circular orbit. 
C)  when the Earth-Jupiter line is at right angles to the Sun-Jupiter line 
D)  conjunction

Question 4

What is the overall composition of the outer atmospheric regions of Jupiter in terms of the relative numbers of atoms?

Accepted Answer

A)  75% hydrogen, 15% helium, and 10% everything else 
B)  hydrogen and helium only, with no other elements 
C)  86% hydrogen, 13% helium, and 1% everything else 
D)  pure hydrogen 
A)  75% hydrogen, 15% helium, and 10% everything else 
B)  hydrogen and helium only, with no other elements 
C)  86% hydrogen, 13% helium, and 1% everything else 
D)  pure hydrogen

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

A)  non-synchronous rotation, with axes of rotation in any direction with respect to their orbital plane 
B)  non-synchronous 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)  non-synchronous rotation, with axes of rotation in any direction with respect to their orbital plane 
B)  non-synchronous 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 6

Which of the Galilean moons of Jupiter appears to have current tectonic activity?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

The requirement(s)for the generation of a powerful magnetic field in a Jovian planet (e.g.,Jupiter,Saturn)appear(s)to be a:

Accepted Answer

A)  liquid "metal" core and interior and very slow rotation. 
B)  solid iron core forming a permanent magnet. 
C)  liquid "metal" interior and relatively rapid rotation. 
D)  solid interior throughout the planet and slow rotation. 
A)  liquid "metal" core and interior and very slow rotation. 
B)  solid iron core forming a permanent magnet. 
C)  liquid "metal" interior and relatively rapid rotation. 
D)  solid interior throughout the planet and slow rotation.

Question 8

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 is otherwise no features. 
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 is otherwise no features.

Question 9

The discoverer of the planet Uranus was:

Accepted Answer

A)  William Herschel. 
B)  Galileo Galilei. 
C)  Clyde Tombaugh. 
D)  Edmund Halley. 
A)  William Herschel. 
B)  Galileo Galilei. 
C)  Clyde Tombaugh. 
D)  Edmund Halley.

Question 10

What is the physical appearance of Jupiter as seen from Earth or a spacecraft?

Accepted Answer

A)  uniform bluish color with a high-level haze 
B)  solid ice surface, showing some craters that have been highly modified by ice flow 
C)  densely cratered surface with one large impact basin 
D)  series of dark belts and light zones parallel to the equator 
A)  uniform bluish color with a high-level haze 
B)  solid ice surface, showing some craters that have been highly modified by ice flow 
C)  densely cratered surface with one large impact basin 
D)  series of dark belts and light zones parallel to the equator

Question 11

Which process 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 12

The major planet whose spin axis lies almost in its orbital plane is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Neptune. 
B)  Uranus. 
C)  Mars. 
D)  Mercury. 
A)  Neptune. 
B)  Uranus. 
C)  Mars. 
D)  Mercury.

Question 13

If we could see Jupiter's magnetosphere visually,how big would it appear?

Accepted Answer

A)  Jupiter's magnetosphere would be too small to be visible without a telescope. 
B)  Jupiter's magnetosphere would be easily visible, several times larger than the full Moon. 
C)  Jupiter's magnetosphere would cover essentially our entire sky whenever Jupiter was above the horizon. 
D)  Jupiter's magnetosphere would be just big enough to see, almost at the limit of unaided-eye visibility. 
A)  Jupiter's magnetosphere would be too small to be visible without a telescope. 
B)  Jupiter's magnetosphere would be easily visible, several times larger than the full Moon. 
C)  Jupiter's magnetosphere would cover essentially our entire sky whenever Jupiter was above the horizon. 
D)  Jupiter's magnetosphere would be just big enough to see, almost at the limit of unaided-eye visibility.

Question 14

Recent estimates suggest that the overall mass distribution among atomic components of Jupiter is:

Accepted Answer

A)  50% hydrogen and 50% helium. 
B)  almost 100% hydrogen. 
C)  71% hydrogen, 24% helium, and 5% heavier elements. 
D)  86% hydrogen, 13% helium, and 1% heavier elements. 
A)  50% hydrogen and 50% helium. 
B)  almost 100% hydrogen. 
C)  71% hydrogen, 24% helium, and 5% heavier elements. 
D)  86% hydrogen, 13% helium, and 1% heavier elements.

Question 15

Most if not all of Jupiter's outermost "moons" appear to be:

Accepted Answer

A)  relatively small rocks or icy debris left over after the formation of the rest of the Jovian moons. 
B)  spherical, about the same size as and similar to Earth's Moon or Mercury. 
C)  loosely bound collections of fine dust grains held together by electrical forces similar to static electricity on Earth. 
D)  small asteroids captured by Jupiter. 
A)  relatively small rocks or icy debris left over after the formation of the rest of the Jovian moons. 
B)  spherical, about the same size as and similar to Earth's Moon or Mercury. 
C)  loosely bound collections of fine dust grains held together by electrical forces similar to static electricity on Earth. 
D)  small asteroids captured by Jupiter.

Question 16

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

Question 17

Recent observations suggest that Saturn's satellite Enceladus possesses all the following features EXCEPT ONE.Which feature is the exception?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

Which of the moons of the giant planets is known to have a significant and dense atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  Europa, a moon of Jupiter 
B)  Titan, a moon of Saturn 
C)  Triton, a moon of Neptune 
D)  Io, a moon of Jupiter 
A)  Europa, a moon of Jupiter 
B)  Titan, a moon of Saturn 
C)  Triton, a moon of Neptune 
D)  Io, a moon of Jupiter

Question 19

How many moons of Jupiter were seen by Galileo?

Accepted Answer

A)  none because he had no telescope and was unable to see them with the unaided eye 
B)  4 with his new telescope 
C)  28 
D)  only 1 
A)  none because he had no telescope and was unable to see them with the unaided eye 
B)  4 with his new telescope 
C)  28 
D)  only 1

Question 20

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 up-welling 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 up-welling 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.

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

The Roche limit around a planet is defined as the:

At what point in its orbit does Jupiter appear to be brightest when viewed from Earth?

What is the overall composition of the outer atmospheric regions of Jupiter in terms of the relative numbers of atoms?

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

Which of the Galilean moons of Jupiter appears to have current tectonic activity?

The requirement(s)for the generation of a powerful magnetic field in a Jovian planet (e.g.,Jupiter,Saturn)appear(s)to be a:

As photographed by Voyager 2,the atmosphere of Uranus shows:

The discoverer of the planet Uranus was:

What is the physical appearance of Jupiter as seen from Earth or a spacecraft?

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

The major planet whose spin axis lies almost in its orbital plane is:

If we could see Jupiter's magnetosphere visually,how big would it appear?

Recent estimates suggest that the overall mass distribution among atomic components of Jupiter is:

Most if not all of Jupiter's outermost "moons" appear to be:

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?

Recent observations suggest that Saturn's satellite Enceladus possesses all the following features EXCEPT ONE.Which feature is the exception?

Which of the moons of the giant planets is known to have a significant and dense atmosphere?

How many moons of Jupiter were seen by Galileo?

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

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

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Exam 7: The Outer Planets and Their Moons

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

The Roche limit around a planet is defined as the:

At what point in its orbit does Jupiter appear to be brightest when viewed from Earth?

What is the overall composition of the outer atmospheric regions of Jupiter in terms of the relative numbers of atoms?

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

Which of the Galilean moons of Jupiter appears to have current tectonic activity?

The requirement(s)for the generation of a powerful magnetic field in a Jovian planet (e.g.,Jupiter,Saturn)appear(s)to be a:

As photographed by Voyager 2,the atmosphere of Uranus shows:

The discoverer of the planet Uranus was:

What is the physical appearance of Jupiter as seen from Earth or a spacecraft?

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

The major planet whose spin axis lies almost in its orbital plane is:

If we could see Jupiter's magnetosphere visually,how big would it appear?

Recent estimates suggest that the overall mass distribution among atomic components of Jupiter is:

Most if not all of Jupiter's outermost "moons" appear to be:

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?

Recent observations suggest that Saturn's satellite Enceladus possesses all the following features EXCEPT ONE.Which feature is the exception?

Which of the moons of the giant planets is known to have a significant and dense atmosphere?

How many moons of Jupiter were seen by Galileo?

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

Discovering the Night Sky

Gravitation and the Waltz of the Planets

Light and Telescopes

Formation of the Solar System and Other Planetary Systems

Exoplanets

The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Ordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of the Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Deaths and Remnants of Stars

The Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters