Question 1

What features dominate the surface of Callisto,one of Jupiter's satellites?

Accepted Answer

A)  volcanoes, lava lakes, and sulfur dioxide frost 
B)  old, dark, highly cratered polygons separated by younger, lighter, grooved terrain 
C)  many cracks and streaks and very few craters in an otherwise smooth, icy surface 
D)  large craters, densely spread over the entire surface 
A)  volcanoes, lava lakes, and sulfur dioxide frost 
B)  old, dark, highly cratered polygons separated by younger, lighter, grooved terrain 
C)  many cracks and streaks and very few craters in an otherwise smooth, icy surface 
D)  large craters, densely spread over the entire surface

Question 2

Which property of Triton,the largest moon of Neptune,makes it significantly different from all other major moons in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  an atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen and water clouds 
B)  an orbit at right angles to the equator of the mother planet 
C)  an extremely dark, smooth surface, which prevented it from being discovered until very recently 
D)  an orbit direction opposite to the rotation and revolution of the mother planet 
A)  an atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen and water clouds 
B)  an orbit at right angles to the equator of the mother planet 
C)  an extremely dark, smooth surface, which prevented it from being discovered until very recently 
D)  an orbit direction opposite to the rotation and revolution of the mother planet

Question 3

What is the mass of Jupiter compared with other objects in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  20 times the mass of all other planets combined 
B)  half the mass of the Sun 
C)  as large as the mass of Saturn and Neptune combined 
D)  twice the mass of all other planets combined 
A)  20 times the mass of all other planets combined 
B)  half the mass of the Sun 
C)  as large as the mass of Saturn and Neptune combined 
D)  twice the mass of all other planets combined

Question 4

Which sentence describes the motions of the particles in the rings of Saturn?

Accepted Answer

A)  Each of the particles moves in an almost circular Keplerian orbit around the planet. 
B)  The particles move in randomly oriented elliptical orbits and collide frequently with one another. 
C)  The particles move in zigzag patterns within the ring system because of interaction with the major moons. 
D)  The particles all move in concert as if they were a solid sheet because of electrostatic interaction. 
A)  Each of the particles moves in an almost circular Keplerian orbit around the planet. 
B)  The particles move in randomly oriented elliptical orbits and collide frequently with one another. 
C)  The particles move in zigzag patterns within the ring system because of interaction with the major moons. 
D)  The particles all move in concert as if they were a solid sheet because of electrostatic interaction.

Question 5

What gives Uranus its blue-green coloration?

Accepted Answer

A)  impurities of phosphorus and sulfur in the otherwise white ice crystals of water, methane, and ammonia 
B)  emission by blue and green spectral lines of ethane and propane 
C)  absorption of red light by methane gas 
D)  absorption of blue and green light by ammonia gas 
A)  impurities of phosphorus and sulfur in the otherwise white ice crystals of water, methane, and ammonia 
B)  emission by blue and green spectral lines of ethane and propane 
C)  absorption of red light by methane gas 
D)  absorption of blue and green light by ammonia gas

Question 6

What is helium rain?

Accepted Answer

A)  In Jupiter's large gravitational field, helium is condensed to liquid and falls until it becomes liquid metallic hydrogen. 
B)  Titan's thick atmosphere produces condensed helium that falls like rain. 
C)  The cold temperatures in Saturn's atmosphere cause helium to condense and to fall toward the interior like rain. 
D)  Helium gas from Jupiter is conducted along the intense magnetic field lines to fall as rain on Europa. Europa is colder because it does not have the internal heating experienced by Jupiter. 
A)  In Jupiter's large gravitational field, helium is condensed to liquid and falls until it becomes liquid metallic hydrogen. 
B)  Titan's thick atmosphere produces condensed helium that falls like rain. 
C)  The cold temperatures in Saturn's atmosphere cause helium to condense and to fall toward the interior like rain. 
D)  Helium gas from Jupiter is conducted along the intense magnetic field lines to fall as rain on Europa. Europa is colder because it does not have the internal heating experienced by Jupiter.

Question 7

Which planet has a system of smaller moons with highly elliptical orbits and one large moon that orbits in a retrograde direction?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

How is the Cassini division created and maintained in Saturn's rings?

Accepted Answer

A)  A small moon orbits within the division, clearing particles from the gap. 
B)  An intense region of high-energy electrons in Saturn's magnetosphere at that distance has eroded the particles from the gap. 
C)  The rings simply formed that way in the ancient past. 
D)  One of Saturn's satellites exerts a resonant pull on particles in the division, clearing a gap. 
A)  A small moon orbits within the division, clearing particles from the gap. 
B)  An intense region of high-energy electrons in Saturn's magnetosphere at that distance has eroded the particles from the gap. 
C)  The rings simply formed that way in the ancient past. 
D)  One of Saturn's satellites exerts a resonant pull on particles in the division, clearing a gap.

Question 9

Why are the rings of Neptune dark?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although the particles have highly reflective surfaces, there are very few particles in the rings. 
B)  The rings are composed of small, dark rock particles. 
C)  The particles are composed of methane ice that has been darkened by radiation damage. 
D)  The particles have highly reflective surfaces, but the rings are far from the Sun, where there is little light. 
A)  Although the particles have highly reflective surfaces, there are very few particles in the rings. 
B)  The rings are composed of small, dark rock particles. 
C)  The particles are composed of methane ice that has been darkened by radiation damage. 
D)  The particles have highly reflective surfaces, but the rings are far from the Sun, where there is little light.

Question 10

The heating of the interior of Io,the innermost Galilean moon of Jupiter,is caused by:

Accepted Answer

A)  thermal heating from Jupiter because Jupiter emits more infrared radiation than it receives from the Sun. 
B)  continual bombardment by meteoroids attracted by Jupiter's enormous gravitational pull. 
C)  continuous tidal distortion by Jupiter and the other moons. 
D)  the fact that Io moves inside Jupiter's magnetosphere, where the temperature is as high as anywhere in the solar system. 
A)  thermal heating from Jupiter because Jupiter emits more infrared radiation than it receives from the Sun. 
B)  continual bombardment by meteoroids attracted by Jupiter's enormous gravitational pull. 
C)  continuous tidal distortion by Jupiter and the other moons. 
D)  the fact that Io moves inside Jupiter's magnetosphere, where the temperature is as high as anywhere in the solar system.

Question 11

Two tiny but significant satellites that follow nearly identical orbits around Saturn are called shepherd moons because they:

Accepted Answer

A)  clear particles from the Cassini division. 
B)  trail streams of gases behind them, like comet tails. 
C)  lift dust particles up into "spokes" above the rings. 
D)  concentrate particles into the narrow F ring of Saturn. 
A)  clear particles from the Cassini division. 
B)  trail streams of gases behind them, like comet tails. 
C)  lift dust particles up into "spokes" above the rings. 
D)  concentrate particles into the narrow F ring of Saturn.

Question 12

Which planet was discovered by applying Newton's laws to the motion of another planet?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

Which spacecraft was the MOST recent to reach Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Hubble Space Telescope 
B)  Galileo 
C)  Cassini 
D)  Voyager 
A)  the Hubble Space Telescope 
B)  Galileo 
C)  Cassini 
D)  Voyager

Question 14

The low average density of Jupiter (about 1300 kg/m³ compared with that of water,1000 kg/m³)indicates that this planet is composed mainly of:

Accepted Answer

A)  hydrogen and helium in gaseous form only because low temperatures and great pressures are needed to liquefy these gases. 
B)  water, compressed somewhat by gravity, maybe in the form of ice. 
C)  methane, ammonia, and water, from spectroscopic observation of its atmosphere. 
D)  hydrogen in liquid or gaseous form. 
A)  hydrogen and helium in gaseous form only because low temperatures and great pressures are needed to liquefy these gases. 
B)  water, compressed somewhat by gravity, maybe in the form of ice. 
C)  methane, ammonia, and water, from spectroscopic observation of its atmosphere. 
D)  hydrogen in liquid or gaseous form.

Question 15

Which planets rotate about their axes in a retrograde direction?

Accepted Answer

A)  Venus and Uranus 
B)  Uranus and Neptune 
C)  Mercury and Uranus 
D)  Venus and Neptune 
A)  Venus and Uranus 
B)  Uranus and Neptune 
C)  Mercury and Uranus 
D)  Venus and Neptune

Question 16

Which satellite of Jupiter is volcanically active?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Even though Ganymede,one of the large Galilean satellites of Jupiter,and Earth are very different,they share one feature.What is it?

Accepted Answer

A)  a dense atmosphere 
B)  plate tectonic activity 
C)  a thick rocky mantle and a large iron core under icy crust 
D)  active volcanoes 
A)  a dense atmosphere 
B)  plate tectonic activity 
C)  a thick rocky mantle and a large iron core under icy crust 
D)  active volcanoes

Question 18

The water in the ocean predicted to occur below the surface of Jupiter's moon Callisto is heated above its freezing point by heat from:

Accepted Answer

A)  absorption of solar UV and visible radiation at this depth in the moon. 
B)  tidal distortions of the moon by the combined gravity of Jupiter and the other moons. 
C)  radioactive decay of heavy elements in the moon's core. 
D)  electric currents flowing in this conducting liquid, induced by the motion of the moon through Jupiter's magnetic field. 
A)  absorption of solar UV and visible radiation at this depth in the moon. 
B)  tidal distortions of the moon by the combined gravity of Jupiter and the other moons. 
C)  radioactive decay of heavy elements in the moon's core. 
D)  electric currents flowing in this conducting liquid, induced by the motion of the moon through Jupiter's magnetic field.

Question 19

How many of the large,Galilean satellites are in synchronous rotation around Jupiter (always turning the same face toward Jupiter)?

Accepted Answer

A)  the inner two 
B)  only Io 
C)  all four 
D)  the inner three 
A)  the inner two 
B)  only Io 
C)  all four 
D)  the inner three

Question 20

Which characteristic has NOT been observed on Juipter?

Accepted Answer

A)  lightning 
B)  auroras 
C)  particle-trapping regions in the magnetic fields like Earth's Van Allen belts 
D)  currents in the atmosphere (like Earth's jet stream) that can stretch from the pole to the equator 
A)  lightning 
B)  auroras 
C)  particle-trapping regions in the magnetic fields like Earth's Van Allen belts 
D)  currents in the atmosphere (like Earth's jet stream) that can stretch from the pole to the equator

What features dominate the surface of Callisto,one of Jupiter's satellites?

Which property of Triton,the largest moon of Neptune,makes it significantly different from all other major moons in the solar system?

What is the mass of Jupiter compared with other objects in the solar system?

Which sentence describes the motions of the particles in the rings of Saturn?

What gives Uranus its blue-green coloration?

What is helium rain?

Which planet has a system of smaller moons with highly elliptical orbits and one large moon that orbits in a retrograde direction?

How is the Cassini division created and maintained in Saturn's rings?

Why are the rings of Neptune dark?

The heating of the interior of Io,the innermost Galilean moon of Jupiter,is caused by:

Two tiny but significant satellites that follow nearly identical orbits around Saturn are called shepherd moons because they:

Which planet was discovered by applying Newton's laws to the motion of another planet?

Which spacecraft was the MOST recent to reach Jupiter?

The low average density of Jupiter (about 1300 kg/m³ compared with that of water,1000 kg/m³)indicates that this planet is composed mainly of:

Which planets rotate about their axes in a retrograde direction?

Which satellite of Jupiter is volcanically active?

Even though Ganymede,one of the large Galilean satellites of Jupiter,and Earth are very different,they share one feature.What is it?

The water in the ocean predicted to occur below the surface of Jupiter's moon Callisto is heated above its freezing point by heat from:

How many of the large,Galilean satellites are in synchronous rotation around Jupiter (always turning the same face toward Jupiter)?

Which characteristic has NOT been observed on Juipter?

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

Exam 7: The Outer Planets and Their Moons

What features dominate the surface of Callisto,one of Jupiter's satellites?

Which property of Triton,the largest moon of Neptune,makes it significantly different from all other major moons in the solar system?

What is the mass of Jupiter compared with other objects in the solar system?

Which sentence describes the motions of the particles in the rings of Saturn?

What gives Uranus its blue-green coloration?

What is helium rain?

Which planet has a system of smaller moons with highly elliptical orbits and one large moon that orbits in a retrograde direction?

How is the Cassini division created and maintained in Saturn's rings?

Why are the rings of Neptune dark?

The heating of the interior of Io,the innermost Galilean moon of Jupiter,is caused by:

Two tiny but significant satellites that follow nearly identical orbits around Saturn are called shepherd moons because they:

Which planet was discovered by applying Newton's laws to the motion of another planet?

Which spacecraft was the MOST recent to reach Jupiter?

The low average density of Jupiter (about 1300 kg/m³ compared with that of water,1000 kg/m³)indicates that this planet is composed mainly of:

Which planets rotate about their axes in a retrograde direction?

Which satellite of Jupiter is volcanically active?

Even though Ganymede,one of the large Galilean satellites of Jupiter,and Earth are very different,they share one feature.What is it?

The water in the ocean predicted to occur below the surface of Jupiter's moon Callisto is heated above its freezing point by heat from:

How many of the large,Galilean satellites are in synchronous rotation around Jupiter (always turning the same face toward Jupiter)?

Which characteristic has NOT been observed on Juipter?

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