Question 1

One distinct difference between the two otherwise similar planets,Uranus and Neptune,is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the almost featureless visible image of Uranus, compared with distinctly seen storms and clouds on Neptune. 
B)  the absence of an internal magnetic field and surrounding magnetosphere at Neptune. 
C)  belts and zones on Uranus, visible through haze, compared to the totally cloud-enshrouded Neptune. 
D)  the absence of moons around Neptune. 
A)  the almost featureless visible image of Uranus, compared with distinctly seen storms and clouds on Neptune. 
B)  the absence of an internal magnetic field and surrounding magnetosphere at Neptune. 
C)  belts and zones on Uranus, visible through haze, compared to the totally cloud-enshrouded Neptune. 
D)  the absence of moons around Neptune.

Question 2

Neptune's predominantly blue appearance is caused by:

Accepted Answer

A)  preferential scattering away from the planet of the blue end of the solar spectrum, in a similar process to that operating in Earth's atmosphere. 
B)  auroral emissions caused by solar wind particles exciting the atoms and molecules in Neptune's high atmosphere. 
C)  the fact that solar light has lost much of its red light by scattering in the interplanetary medium at the distance of Neptune. 
D)  absorption of the red end of the spectrum of reflected sunlight by the methane in its atmosphere. 
A)  preferential scattering away from the planet of the blue end of the solar spectrum, in a similar process to that operating in Earth's atmosphere. 
B)  auroral emissions caused by solar wind particles exciting the atoms and molecules in Neptune's high atmosphere. 
C)  the fact that solar light has lost much of its red light by scattering in the interplanetary medium at the distance of Neptune. 
D)  absorption of the red end of the spectrum of reflected sunlight by the methane in its atmosphere.

Question 3

Which spacecraft did NOT visit Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  Galileo 
B)  Viking 
C)  Pioneer 
D)  Voyager 
A)  Galileo 
B)  Viking 
C)  Pioneer 
D)  Voyager

Question 4

Saturn's moon Titan is different from all other moons of the planets because:

Accepted Answer

A)  continuously erupting volcanoes are observed on it. 
B)  lakes of water with floating icebergs are seen on its surface. 
C)  its orbit carries it directly over both poles of the planet. 
D)  it possesses a thick atmosphere. 
A)  continuously erupting volcanoes are observed on it. 
B)  lakes of water with floating icebergs are seen on its surface. 
C)  its orbit carries it directly over both poles of the planet. 
D)  it possesses a thick atmosphere.

Question 5

Rings of dust and icy particles are found around which planets?

Accepted Answer

A)  only Saturn 
B)  all four of the terrestrial planets 
C)  all four of the Jovian planets 
D)  only planets that do not have moons 
A)  only Saturn 
B)  all four of the terrestrial planets 
C)  all four of the Jovian planets 
D)  only planets that do not have moons

Question 6

What did Cassini observe about the belts,zones,and ovals in Jupiter's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cooler material (white ovals, dark belts) is generally rising. 
B)  Warmer material (brown ovals, white zones) is generally sinking. 
C)  White clouds have been seen rising in the dark belts. 
D)  Ovals occur in pairs, a white one and a brown one together. 
A)  Cooler material (white ovals, dark belts) is generally rising. 
B)  Warmer material (brown ovals, white zones) is generally sinking. 
C)  White clouds have been seen rising in the dark belts. 
D)  Ovals occur in pairs, a white one and a brown one together.

Question 7

Io would probably be less active geologically if:

Accepted Answer

A)  its orbit were circular. 
B)  it were closer to Jupiter. 
C)  Europa and Ganymede were closer to it. 
D)  Jupiter did not rotate at such a high rate. 
A)  its orbit were circular. 
B)  it were closer to Jupiter. 
C)  Europa and Ganymede were closer to it. 
D)  Jupiter did not rotate at such a high rate.

Question 8

The ocean water that is predicted to occur below the surface of Jupiter's moon Europa is kept unfrozen by heat from:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

One distinctive feature that is visible on the "surface" of Jupiter through a telescope from Earth is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Great Red Spot. 
B)  Olympus Mons. 
C)  the Cassini Division. 
D)  the northern auroral oval. 
A)  the Great Red Spot. 
B)  Olympus Mons. 
C)  the Cassini Division. 
D)  the northern auroral oval.

Question 10

Compared with 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 11

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 12

Mercury has a large impact crater,the Caloris Basin,opposite which shock waves traveling through the planet created a region called the "jumbled terrain." Callisto has a large impact crater,Valhalla.What does the surface of Callisto look like on the opposite side from Valhalla?

Accepted Answer

A)  The surface is jumbled, like that on Mercury. 
B)  There is no jumbled terrain because the distance through Callisto is too great for a shock wave to travel. 
C)  The opposite side of Callisto has been cratered more recently, so it is not possible to determine if a jumbled terrain was formed opposite Valhalla. 
D)  There is no jumbled terrain because Callisto's partially liquid interior damped out the shockwaves. 
A)  The surface is jumbled, like that on Mercury. 
B)  There is no jumbled terrain because the distance through Callisto is too great for a shock wave to travel. 
C)  The opposite side of Callisto has been cratered more recently, so it is not possible to determine if a jumbled terrain was formed opposite Valhalla. 
D)  There is no jumbled terrain because Callisto's partially liquid interior damped out the shockwaves.

Question 13

One of the characteristics of the magnetic field of Uranus is that its axis:

Accepted Answer

A)  is tilted almost 60° to the axis of planetary rotation and is offset from the planet's center. 
B)  is aligned almost parallel to the planet's axis of rotation but is offset from the planet's center. 
C)  is aligned almost exactly along the planet's axis of rotation, through the center of Uranus. 
D)  passes through the center of Uranus but is tilted almost 60° from the axis of rotation. 
A)  is tilted almost 60° to the axis of planetary rotation and is offset from the planet's center. 
B)  is aligned almost parallel to the planet's axis of rotation but is offset from the planet's center. 
C)  is aligned almost exactly along the planet's axis of rotation, through the center of Uranus. 
D)  passes through the center of Uranus but is tilted almost 60° from the axis of rotation.

Question 14

What effect did the fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 have on the atmosphere of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  The fragments created dark patches that lasted for months. 
B)  The fragments created white clouds of ammonia and water ice crystals that lasted for several days. 
C)  The fragments disrupted the atmospheric circulation of light and dark zones for almost a month. 
D)  The fragments had no lasting effect beyond the initial bursts of hot gas. 
A)  The fragments created dark patches that lasted for months. 
B)  The fragments created white clouds of ammonia and water ice crystals that lasted for several days. 
C)  The fragments disrupted the atmospheric circulation of light and dark zones for almost a month. 
D)  The fragments had no lasting effect beyond the initial bursts of hot gas.

Question 15

What peculiar feature accompanies Io in its orbit around Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  torus or ring of ionized sulfur and oxygen atoms and electrons 
B)  comet-like tail of rocks and dust, shining by reflected sunlight 
C)  narrow ring of rocks and dust, Jupiter's ring, at about Io's orbital distance 
D)  auroral storm in the magnetosphere that always keeps pace with Io 
A)  torus or ring of ionized sulfur and oxygen atoms and electrons 
B)  comet-like tail of rocks and dust, shining by reflected sunlight 
C)  narrow ring of rocks and dust, Jupiter's ring, at about Io's orbital distance 
D)  auroral storm in the magnetosphere that always keeps pace with Io

Question 16

Two bodies in the solar system known to have atmospheres primarily of nitrogen are:

Accepted Answer

A)  Saturn and Titan. 
B)  Saturn and Ganymede. 
C)  Earth and Titan. 
D)  Earth and Ganymede. 
A)  Saturn and Titan. 
B)  Saturn and Ganymede. 
C)  Earth and Titan. 
D)  Earth and Ganymede.

Question 17

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 18

Which statement is NOT a reason we suspect Ganymede has a subsurface ocean?

Accepted Answer

A)  It has a variable magnetic field. 
B)  The craters are white. 
C)  There is evidence of salts on the surface. 
D)  Ganymede is in synchronous rotation about Jupiter. 
A)  It has a variable magnetic field. 
B)  The craters are white. 
C)  There is evidence of salts on the surface. 
D)  Ganymede is in synchronous rotation about Jupiter.

Question 19

The auroral ovals around the magnetic poles of Jupiter and Saturn have been detected and imaged in what kind of light?

Accepted Answer

A)  infrared or heat radiation 
B)  light of the same wavelengths as in auroras on Earth-primarily green light from atomic oxygen 
C)  visible light specific to sulfur atoms 
D)  ultraviolet light 
A)  infrared or heat radiation 
B)  light of the same wavelengths as in auroras on Earth-primarily green light from atomic oxygen 
C)  visible light specific to sulfur atoms 
D)  ultraviolet light

Question 20

The Great Dark Spot (not the same as the Great Red Spot)was found on which planet or moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mars 
B)  Jupiter 
C)  Neptune 
D)  Miranda, a moon of Uranus 
A)  Mars 
B)  Jupiter 
C)  Neptune 
D)  Miranda, a moon of Uranus

One distinct difference between the two otherwise similar planets,Uranus and Neptune,is:

Neptune's predominantly blue appearance is caused by:

Which spacecraft did NOT visit Jupiter?

Saturn's moon Titan is different from all other moons of the planets because:

Rings of dust and icy particles are found around which planets?

What did Cassini observe about the belts,zones,and ovals in Jupiter's atmosphere?

Io would probably be less active geologically if:

The ocean water that is predicted to occur below the surface of Jupiter's moon Europa is kept unfrozen by heat from:

One distinctive feature that is visible on the "surface" of Jupiter through a telescope from Earth is:

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

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

Mercury has a large impact crater,the Caloris Basin,opposite which shock waves traveling through the planet created a region called the "jumbled terrain." Callisto has a large impact crater,Valhalla.What does the surface of Callisto look like on the opposite side from Valhalla?

One of the characteristics of the magnetic field of Uranus is that its axis:

What effect did the fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 have on the atmosphere of Jupiter?

What peculiar feature accompanies Io in its orbit around Jupiter?

Two bodies in the solar system known to have atmospheres primarily of nitrogen are:

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

Which statement is NOT a reason we suspect Ganymede has a subsurface ocean?

The auroral ovals around the magnetic poles of Jupiter and Saturn have been detected and imaged in what kind of light?

The Great Dark Spot (not the same as the Great Red Spot)was found on which planet or moon?

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

One distinct difference between the two otherwise similar planets,Uranus and Neptune,is:

Neptune's predominantly blue appearance is caused by:

Which spacecraft did NOT visit Jupiter?

Saturn's moon Titan is different from all other moons of the planets because:

Rings of dust and icy particles are found around which planets?

What did Cassini observe about the belts,zones,and ovals in Jupiter's atmosphere?

Io would probably be less active geologically if:

The ocean water that is predicted to occur below the surface of Jupiter's moon Europa is kept unfrozen by heat from:

One distinctive feature that is visible on the "surface" of Jupiter through a telescope from Earth is:

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

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

Mercury has a large impact crater,the Caloris Basin,opposite which shock waves traveling through the planet created a region called the "jumbled terrain." Callisto has a large impact crater,Valhalla.What does the surface of Callisto look like on the opposite side from Valhalla?

One of the characteristics of the magnetic field of Uranus is that its axis:

What effect did the fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 have on the atmosphere of Jupiter?

What peculiar feature accompanies Io in its orbit around Jupiter?

Two bodies in the solar system known to have atmospheres primarily of nitrogen are:

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

Which statement is NOT a reason we suspect Ganymede has a subsurface ocean?

The auroral ovals around the magnetic poles of Jupiter and Saturn have been detected and imaged in what kind of light?

The Great Dark Spot (not the same as the Great Red Spot)was found on which planet or moon?

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