Question 1

Ganymede,one of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter,has a surface consisting of:

Accepted Answer

A)  an icy crust showing two interlocking types of terrain, one ancient and heavily cratered, the other younger with systems of parallel grooves. 
B)  rock, heavily cratered like the highlands of our Moon. 
C)  an ancient, icy crust covered with numerous craters and no surface cracks or groove belts that would indicate internal activity within the moon. 
D)  a relatively young, icy crust covered with a network of streaks and cracks and only a few impact craters. 
A)  an icy crust showing two interlocking types of terrain, one ancient and heavily cratered, the other younger with systems of parallel grooves. 
B)  rock, heavily cratered like the highlands of our Moon. 
C)  an ancient, icy crust covered with numerous craters and no surface cracks or groove belts that would indicate internal activity within the moon. 
D)  a relatively young, icy crust covered with a network of streaks and cracks and only a few impact craters.

Question 2

The general shape of each of the Galilean moons of Jupiter is:

Accepted Answer

A)  approximately spherical but with significant flattening of the polar axes (oblate shape). 
B)  almost perfectly spherical. 
C)  approximately spherical but with significantly shorter equatorial diameters than polar diameters (prolate shape). 
D)  irregularly rounded. 
A)  approximately spherical but with significant flattening of the polar axes (oblate shape). 
B)  almost perfectly spherical. 
C)  approximately spherical but with significantly shorter equatorial diameters than polar diameters (prolate shape). 
D)  irregularly rounded.

Question 3

What would be a typical weather forecast on Titan,Saturn's largest moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  turbulent winds in an ammonia, methane, and water vapor atmosphere, with dense clouds of ammonia compounds and water ice 
B)  dust storms and high winds in a thin carbon dioxide atmosphere 
C)  occasional sulfur clouds and sulfur dioxide fog from volcanic eruptions 
D)  hydrocarbon fog and ethane rain in a dense nitrogen atmosphere 
A)  turbulent winds in an ammonia, methane, and water vapor atmosphere, with dense clouds of ammonia compounds and water ice 
B)  dust storms and high winds in a thin carbon dioxide atmosphere 
C)  occasional sulfur clouds and sulfur dioxide fog from volcanic eruptions 
D)  hydrocarbon fog and ethane rain in a dense nitrogen atmosphere

Question 4

What appears to be the relationship between the surface of Europa and its interior?

Accepted Answer

A)  A solid ice layer extends from the surface to the rocky mantle. 
B)  A frozen ocean with one small, irregular "continent" overlays several mountain peaks rising above the ice. 
C)  A solid surface of ice overlays a layer of liquid water or slush. 
D)  A light, rocky surface and crust "floats" on a denser but partially molten layer of rock. 
A)  A solid ice layer extends from the surface to the rocky mantle. 
B)  A frozen ocean with one small, irregular "continent" overlays several mountain peaks rising above the ice. 
C)  A solid surface of ice overlays a layer of liquid water or slush. 
D)  A light, rocky surface and crust "floats" on a denser but partially molten layer of rock.

Question 5

The orbital periods of Io,Europa,and Ganymede are in the ratio 1:2:4.Is there any significance to this?

Accepted Answer

A)  No, this is just a random coincidence of the manner in which these satellites condensed out of the primordial nebula around Jupiter. 
B)  Yes, this is the ordering predicted by Kepler's third law. 
C)  Yes. Combined with the fact that these are all prograde orbits, this shows that these moons are not captured asteroids. 
D)  Yes. After completion of an orbit by Ganymede, all these moons will be in a line, creating tidal stresses on Io. 
A)  No, this is just a random coincidence of the manner in which these satellites condensed out of the primordial nebula around Jupiter. 
B)  Yes, this is the ordering predicted by Kepler's third law. 
C)  Yes. Combined with the fact that these are all prograde orbits, this shows that these moons are not captured asteroids. 
D)  Yes. After completion of an orbit by Ganymede, all these moons will be in a line, creating tidal stresses on Io.

Question 6

How does the magnetosphere of Jupiter compare with that of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Jupiter's magnetosphere is very similar to that of Earth. 
B)  Jupiter's magnetosphere is much larger than that of Earth because of Jupiter's large magnetic field and the weakness of the solar wind at Jupiter's orbital distance from the Sun. 
C)  Jupiter has no detectable magnetic field and hence no magnetosphere. 
D)  Jupiter's magnetosphere is much smaller than that of Earth because Jupiter's magnetic field is much stronger than that of Earth. 
A)  Jupiter's magnetosphere is very similar to that of Earth. 
B)  Jupiter's magnetosphere is much larger than that of Earth because of Jupiter's large magnetic field and the weakness of the solar wind at Jupiter's orbital distance from the Sun. 
C)  Jupiter has no detectable magnetic field and hence no magnetosphere. 
D)  Jupiter's magnetosphere is much smaller than that of Earth because Jupiter's magnetic field is much stronger than that of Earth.

Question 7

The MOST geologically active object in the planetary system at the present time is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Io, a moon of Jupiter. 
B)  Earth's Moon. 
C)  Triton, a moon of Neptune. 
D)  Mars. 
A)  Io, a moon of Jupiter. 
B)  Earth's Moon. 
C)  Triton, a moon of Neptune. 
D)  Mars.

Question 8

The brown ovals seen in Jupiter's atmosphere appear bright in an image taken in infrared radiation.Why is this?

Accepted Answer

A)  The ovals are moving toward us, and the Doppler blueshift makes them appear brighter. 
B)  The ovals are moving away from us, and the Doppler redshift makes them appear brighter. 
C)  The ovals are high up in the Jovian atmosphere. 
D)  The ovals are deep within the Jovian atmosphere. 
A)  The ovals are moving toward us, and the Doppler blueshift makes them appear brighter. 
B)  The ovals are moving away from us, and the Doppler redshift makes them appear brighter. 
C)  The ovals are high up in the Jovian atmosphere. 
D)  The ovals are deep within the Jovian atmosphere.

Question 9

What basic optical process makes the rings of Saturn visible to observers on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  absorption of sunlight, making the rings appear dark against the bright sunlit planet 
B)  refraction of sunlight by ice crystals 
C)  self-emission of light from atoms of the ring material under UV excitation 
D)  scattering of sunlight 
A)  absorption of sunlight, making the rings appear dark against the bright sunlit planet 
B)  refraction of sunlight by ice crystals 
C)  self-emission of light from atoms of the ring material under UV excitation 
D)  scattering of sunlight

Question 10

Which phenomenon is NOT seen on Jupiter's satellite Io?

Accepted Answer

A)  lava flows 
B)  volcanic plumes 
C)  sulfur dioxide frost 
D)  impact craters 
A)  lava flows 
B)  volcanic plumes 
C)  sulfur dioxide frost 
D)  impact craters

Question 11

Triton,the largest satellite of Neptune,has a:

Accepted Answer

A)  surface of ice with frozen lakes, plumes of escaping gas, and few craters. 
B)  surface of ice in which ancient, densely cratered regions are surrounded by interconnecting systems of parallel ridges. 
C)  thick atmosphere that hides the surface from view. 
D)  densely cratered surface of ice with at least one very large ringed structure, indicating an ancient asteroid impact. 
A)  surface of ice with frozen lakes, plumes of escaping gas, and few craters. 
B)  surface of ice in which ancient, densely cratered regions are surrounded by interconnecting systems of parallel ridges. 
C)  thick atmosphere that hides the surface from view. 
D)  densely cratered surface of ice with at least one very large ringed structure, indicating an ancient asteroid impact.

Question 12

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 13

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 14

Which characteristic of Jupiter's satellite Io makes it different from any other known satellite in the solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Io has a permanent, dense atmosphere. 
B)  Io is volcanically active, with gas plumes and lava flows. 
C)  Io has geyserlike plumes of nitrogen gas. 
D)  Io's surface is broken into heavily cratered and lightly cratered regions in a pattern similar to plate tectonics. 
A)  Io has a permanent, dense atmosphere. 
B)  Io is volcanically active, with gas plumes and lava flows. 
C)  Io has geyserlike plumes of nitrogen gas. 
D)  Io's surface is broken into heavily cratered and lightly cratered regions in a pattern similar to plate tectonics.

Question 15

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 16

The shape and dimensions of the magnetosphere surrounding Jupiter are controlled by:

Accepted Answer

A)  the atoms of Jupiter's outer atmosphere moving outward because of the rapid rotation of the planet, pressing against the solar wind. 
B)  the pressure of the solar wind against the outer atmosphere of Jupiter. 
C)  solar radiation pressure pushing against the planet's outer atmosphere. 
D)  the opposing pressures of the ionized gas of the solar wind and the planet's magnetic field. 
A)  the atoms of Jupiter's outer atmosphere moving outward because of the rapid rotation of the planet, pressing against the solar wind. 
B)  the pressure of the solar wind against the outer atmosphere of Jupiter. 
C)  solar radiation pressure pushing against the planet's outer atmosphere. 
D)  the opposing pressures of the ionized gas of the solar wind and the planet's magnetic field.

Question 17

Which description of Miranda,one of the satellites of Uranus,is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A)  heavily cratered, icy surface with deformation and flowing due to heating in some regions 
B)  icy, frost-covered surface with vents of rising gas visible in the northern hemisphere 
C)  icy surface with chaotically varied terrain 
D)  rocky surface with active volcanoes 
A)  heavily cratered, icy surface with deformation and flowing due to heating in some regions 
B)  icy, frost-covered surface with vents of rising gas visible in the northern hemisphere 
C)  icy surface with chaotically varied terrain 
D)  rocky surface with active volcanoes

Question 18

The MOST massive planetary satellite in the solar system is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Jupiter's satellite Europa. 
B)  Jupiter's satellite Ganymede. 
C)  Earth's Moon. 
D)  Saturn's satellite Titan. 
A)  Jupiter's satellite Europa. 
B)  Jupiter's satellite Ganymede. 
C)  Earth's Moon. 
D)  Saturn's satellite Titan.

Question 19

As a result of the Huygens-Cassini mission,which feature was NOT detected on the surface of Titan?

Accepted Answer

A)  a heavily cratered surface 
B)  numerous lakes of liquid hydrocarbons 
C)  evidence of methane rainfall 
D)  running streams of hydrocarbons 
A)  a heavily cratered surface 
B)  numerous lakes of liquid hydrocarbons 
C)  evidence of methane rainfall 
D)  running streams of hydrocarbons

Question 20

Which chemical is the MOST abundant in the outer atmosphere of Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

A)  H₂O (water vapor) 
B)  CH₄ (methane) 
C)  NH₃ (ammonia) 
D)  CO₂ (carbon dioxide) 
A)  H₂O (water vapor) 
B)  CH₄ (methane) 
C)  NH₃ (ammonia) 
D)  CO₂ (carbon dioxide)

Ganymede,one of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter,has a surface consisting of:

The general shape of each of the Galilean moons of Jupiter is:

What would be a typical weather forecast on Titan,Saturn's largest moon?

What appears to be the relationship between the surface of Europa and its interior?

The orbital periods of Io,Europa,and Ganymede are in the ratio 1:2:4.Is there any significance to this?

How does the magnetosphere of Jupiter compare with that of Earth?

The MOST geologically active object in the planetary system at the present time is:

The brown ovals seen in Jupiter's atmosphere appear bright in an image taken in infrared radiation.Why is this?

What basic optical process makes the rings of Saturn visible to observers on Earth?

Which phenomenon is NOT seen on Jupiter's satellite Io?

Triton,the largest satellite of Neptune,has a:

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

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

Which characteristic of Jupiter's satellite Io makes it different from any other known satellite in the solar system?

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

The shape and dimensions of the magnetosphere surrounding Jupiter are controlled by:

Which description of Miranda,one of the satellites of Uranus,is CORRECT?

The MOST massive planetary satellite in the solar system is:

As a result of the Huygens-Cassini mission,which feature was NOT detected on the surface of Titan?

Which chemical is the MOST abundant in the outer atmosphere of Jupiter?

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

Ganymede,one of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter,has a surface consisting of:

The general shape of each of the Galilean moons of Jupiter is:

What would be a typical weather forecast on Titan,Saturn's largest moon?

What appears to be the relationship between the surface of Europa and its interior?

The orbital periods of Io,Europa,and Ganymede are in the ratio 1:2:4.Is there any significance to this?

How does the magnetosphere of Jupiter compare with that of Earth?

The MOST geologically active object in the planetary system at the present time is:

The brown ovals seen in Jupiter's atmosphere appear bright in an image taken in infrared radiation.Why is this?

What basic optical process makes the rings of Saturn visible to observers on Earth?

Which phenomenon is NOT seen on Jupiter's satellite Io?

Triton,the largest satellite of Neptune,has a:

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

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

Which characteristic of Jupiter's satellite Io makes it different from any other known satellite in the solar system?

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

The shape and dimensions of the magnetosphere surrounding Jupiter are controlled by:

Which description of Miranda,one of the satellites of Uranus,is CORRECT?

The MOST massive planetary satellite in the solar system is:

As a result of the Huygens-Cassini mission,which feature was NOT detected on the surface of Titan?

Which chemical is the MOST abundant in the outer atmosphere of Jupiter?

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