Question 1

The "star" that is seen at the center of a planetary nebula is

Accepted Answer

A)  a small, hot, and very dense white dwarf star. 
B)  composed almost entirely of neutrons and spinning rapidly. 
C)  the accretion disk around a black hole. 
D)  a planet in the process of formation. 
A)  a small, hot, and very dense white dwarf star. 
B)  composed almost entirely of neutrons and spinning rapidly. 
C)  the accretion disk around a black hole. 
D)  a planet in the process of formation.

Question 2

What is a cosmic ray shower?

Accepted Answer

A)  shower of particles produced when a cosmic ray strikes atoms in Earth's atmosphere 
B)  burst of high-energy atomic nuclei arriving at Earth from interstellar space 
C)  another name for a meteor shower 
D)  pulse of gamma rays arriving at Earth from a rotating, magnetized neutron star 
A)  shower of particles produced when a cosmic ray strikes atoms in Earth's atmosphere 
B)  burst of high-energy atomic nuclei arriving at Earth from interstellar space 
C)  another name for a meteor shower 
D)  pulse of gamma rays arriving at Earth from a rotating, magnetized neutron star

Question 3

A planetary nebula is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  contracting spherical cloud of gas surrounding a newly formed star in which planets are forming. 
B)  expanding gas shell surrounding a hot, burned-out stellar core. 
C)  disk-shaped nebula of dust and gas around a relatively young star, from which planets will eventually form. 
D)  nebula caused by the supernova explosion of a massive star. 
A)  contracting spherical cloud of gas surrounding a newly formed star in which planets are forming. 
B)  expanding gas shell surrounding a hot, burned-out stellar core. 
C)  disk-shaped nebula of dust and gas around a relatively young star, from which planets will eventually form. 
D)  nebula caused by the supernova explosion of a massive star.

Question 4

The two longest stages in the lifetime of a solar mass star, each lasting billions of years, are

Accepted Answer

A)  protostar and main sequence. 
B)  main sequence and red giant. 
C)  red giant and white dwarf. 
D)  main sequence and white dwarf. 
A)  protostar and main sequence. 
B)  main sequence and red giant. 
C)  red giant and white dwarf. 
D)  main sequence and white dwarf.

Question 5

Astronomers believe that elements heavier than carbon can be created in each of these EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  the cores of solar mass stars. 
B)  the cores of massive stars. 
C)  during supernova explosions. 
D)  when two neutron stars collide. 
A)  the cores of solar mass stars. 
B)  the cores of massive stars. 
C)  during supernova explosions. 
D)  when two neutron stars collide.

Question 6

What are the glitches occasionally observed by astronomers studying pulsars?

Accepted Answer

A)  secondary pulses of radiation occasionally interspersed with the primary pulses 
B)  clumps of denser material in the jets of particles emitted along the magnetic poles 
C)  sudden flares caused by matter falling onto the surface of a neutron star 
D)  sudden changes in a pulsar's rotation rate 
A)  secondary pulses of radiation occasionally interspersed with the primary pulses 
B)  clumps of denser material in the jets of particles emitted along the magnetic poles 
C)  sudden flares caused by matter falling onto the surface of a neutron star 
D)  sudden changes in a pulsar's rotation rate

Question 7

The mechanism that gives rise to the phenomenon of the nova is

Accepted Answer

A)  the impact and subsequent explosion of a large comet nucleus on a star's surface. 
B)  material falling into a black hole and being condensed to the point where a thermonuclear explosion is produced. 
C)  the complete disintegration of a massive star due to a runaway thermonuclear explosion in the star's interior. 
D)  matter from a companion star falling onto a white dwarf in a close binary system, eventually causing a nuclear explosion on the dwarf's surface. 
A)  the impact and subsequent explosion of a large comet nucleus on a star's surface. 
B)  material falling into a black hole and being condensed to the point where a thermonuclear explosion is produced. 
C)  the complete disintegration of a massive star due to a runaway thermonuclear explosion in the star's interior. 
D)  matter from a companion star falling onto a white dwarf in a close binary system, eventually causing a nuclear explosion on the dwarf's surface.

Question 8

The difference between a nova and an X-ray burst is that a nova involves an explosion on the surface of a _____ whereas an X-ray burst involves a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  white dwarf; explosion on the surface of a neutron star 
B)  neutron star; explosion on the surface of a white dwarf 
C)  white dwarf; collapse of a white dwarf to form a neutron star 
D)  neutron star; complete collapse of a neutron star to form a black hole 
A)  white dwarf; explosion on the surface of a neutron star 
B)  neutron star; explosion on the surface of a white dwarf 
C)  white dwarf; collapse of a white dwarf to form a neutron star 
D)  neutron star; complete collapse of a neutron star to form a black hole

Question 9

The main component of primary cosmic rays is

Accepted Answer

A)  protons. 
B)  gamma rays. 
C)  electrons. 
D)  nuclei of heavy elements such as carbon and iron. 
A)  protons. 
B)  gamma rays. 
C)  electrons. 
D)  nuclei of heavy elements such as carbon and iron.

Question 10

The X-ray bursts from an X-ray burster are caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  hot spots caused by material falling onto the poles of a rotating neutron star. 
B)  explosive photodisintegration of iron nuclei on the surface of a neutron star. 
C)  explosive helium fusion on the surface of a neutron star. 
D)  explosive hydrogen fusion on the surface of a neutron star. 
A)  hot spots caused by material falling onto the poles of a rotating neutron star. 
B)  explosive photodisintegration of iron nuclei on the surface of a neutron star. 
C)  explosive helium fusion on the surface of a neutron star. 
D)  explosive hydrogen fusion on the surface of a neutron star.

Question 11

It was recently discovered that the Scorpius-Centaurus OB association passed within 150 light-years of the solar system perhaps 2 million years ago. What is the significance?

Accepted Answer

A)  A supernova eruption in the association at that time may have sent shock waves that led to the collapse of a dark dust cloud to form the solar nebular disk. 
B)  A supernova eruption in the association at that time may have sent large amounts of radiation that overwhelmed Earth's protective ozone layer and caused widespread biological extinctions. 
C)  The gravitational influence of the association probably caused the migration of the giant planets in the solar system to their present locations. 
D)  A supernova eruption in the association at that time may have been the source of the radioactive aluminum isotope that was once part of some meteorites, like the Allende meteorite. 
A)  A supernova eruption in the association at that time may have sent shock waves that led to the collapse of a dark dust cloud to form the solar nebular disk. 
B)  A supernova eruption in the association at that time may have sent large amounts of radiation that overwhelmed Earth's protective ozone layer and caused widespread biological extinctions. 
C)  The gravitational influence of the association probably caused the migration of the giant planets in the solar system to their present locations. 
D)  A supernova eruption in the association at that time may have been the source of the radioactive aluminum isotope that was once part of some meteorites, like the Allende meteorite.

Question 12

The main product of silicon fusion reactions in the core of a massive star is

Accepted Answer

A)  iron. 
B)  magnesium. 
C)  carbon. 
D)  helium. 
A)  iron. 
B)  magnesium. 
C)  carbon. 
D)  helium.

Question 13

A planetary nebula is a

Accepted Answer

A)  gas shell, the atmosphere of a red giant star, slowly expanding away from the core of the star. 
B)  contracting spherical cloud of gas surrounding a newly formed star in which planets are forming. 
C)  nebula caused by the supernova explosion of a massive star. 
D)  disk-shaped nebula of dust and gas rotating around a relatively young star in which planets will eventually form. 
A)  gas shell, the atmosphere of a red giant star, slowly expanding away from the core of the star. 
B)  contracting spherical cloud of gas surrounding a newly formed star in which planets are forming. 
C)  nebula caused by the supernova explosion of a massive star. 
D)  disk-shaped nebula of dust and gas rotating around a relatively young star in which planets will eventually form.

Question 14

The estimated rate at which supernova explosions occur in a spiral galaxy, such as the Milky Way, is about once every _____ years.

Accepted Answer

A)  5 
B)  300 
C)  3000 
D)  20 
A)  5 
B)  300 
C)  3000 
D)  20

Question 15

How much mass are planetary nebulae estimated to return to the interstellar medium each year over the Galaxy as a whole?

Accepted Answer

A)  about 50,000 solar masses 
B)  about 5 * 108 solar masses 
C)  about 5 solar masses 
D)  about 500 solar masses 
A)  about 50,000 solar masses 
B)  about 5 * 108 solar masses 
C)  about 5 solar masses 
D)  about 500 solar masses

The "star" that is seen at the center of a planetary nebula is

What is a cosmic ray shower?

A planetary nebula is a(n)

The two longest stages in the lifetime of a solar mass star, each lasting billions of years, are

Astronomers believe that elements heavier than carbon can be created in each of these EXCEPT

What are the glitches occasionally observed by astronomers studying pulsars?

The mechanism that gives rise to the phenomenon of the nova is

The difference between a nova and an X-ray burst is that a nova involves an explosion on the surface of a _ whereas an X-ray burst involves a(n) _.

The main component of primary cosmic rays is

The X-ray bursts from an X-ray burster are caused by

It was recently discovered that the Scorpius-Centaurus OB association passed within 150 light-years of the solar system perhaps 2 million years ago. What is the significance?

The main product of silicon fusion reactions in the core of a massive star is

A planetary nebula is a

The estimated rate at which supernova explosions occur in a spiral galaxy, such as the Milky Way, is about once every _____ years.

How much mass are planetary nebulae estimated to return to the interstellar medium each year over the Galaxy as a whole?

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

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

Exam 14: The Death of Stars

The "star" that is seen at the center of a planetary nebula is

What is a cosmic ray shower?

A planetary nebula is a(n)

The two longest stages in the lifetime of a solar mass star, each lasting billions of years, are

Astronomers believe that elements heavier than carbon can be created in each of these EXCEPT

What are the glitches occasionally observed by astronomers studying pulsars?

The mechanism that gives rise to the phenomenon of the nova is

The difference between a nova and an X-ray burst is that a nova involves an explosion on the surface of a _____ whereas an X-ray burst involves a(n) _____.

The main component of primary cosmic rays is

The X-ray bursts from an X-ray burster are caused by

It was recently discovered that the Scorpius-Centaurus OB association passed within 150 light-years of the solar system perhaps 2 million years ago. What is the significance?

The main product of silicon fusion reactions in the core of a massive star is

A planetary nebula is a

The estimated rate at which supernova explosions occur in a spiral galaxy, such as the Milky Way, is about once every _____ years.

How much mass are planetary nebulae estimated to return to the interstellar medium each year over the Galaxy as a whole?

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

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

The difference between a nova and an X-ray burst is that a nova involves an explosion on the surface of a _ whereas an X-ray burst involves a(n) _.