Question 1

Mercury can be seen easily from Earth only

Accepted Answer

A)  during a lunar eclipse, when the sky is sufficiently dark near the Moon, because Mercury is always close to the Moon in the sky. 
B)  at midnight, when it is high in the sky. 
C)  just after sunset or just before sunrise. 
D)  in the winter, when the ecliptic plane is high in the sky at night. 
A)  during a lunar eclipse, when the sky is sufficiently dark near the Moon, because Mercury is always close to the Moon in the sky. 
B)  at midnight, when it is high in the sky. 
C)  just after sunset or just before sunrise. 
D)  in the winter, when the ecliptic plane is high in the sky at night.

Question 2

Tomorrow's weather forecast for the Caloris Basin on Mercury's equator is

Accepted Answer

A)  overcast, light winds, occasional acid rain. 
B)  hot and humid by mid-afternoon; cooling to near freezing overnight. 
C)  sunny with scattered clouds, possible afternoon dust storms. 
D)  lead and zinc melting by noon; temperatures well below freezing overnight. 
A)  overcast, light winds, occasional acid rain. 
B)  hot and humid by mid-afternoon; cooling to near freezing overnight. 
C)  sunny with scattered clouds, possible afternoon dust storms. 
D)  lead and zinc melting by noon; temperatures well below freezing overnight.

Question 3

How long is 1 solar day (e.g., noon to noon) on Mercury in Earth days?

Accepted Answer

A)  88 days 
B)  1 day 
C)  58.7 days 
D)  176 days 
A)  88 days 
B)  1 day 
C)  58.7 days 
D)  176 days

Question 4

The dominant component of the soil on Mars is probably

Accepted Answer

A)  sedimentary rocks laid down by massive floods early in Mars's history. 
B)  volcanic ash from eruptions in recent geological times. 
C)  basaltic lava pulverized by meteoritic bombardment. 
D)  iron oxides. 
A)  sedimentary rocks laid down by massive floods early in Mars's history. 
B)  volcanic ash from eruptions in recent geological times. 
C)  basaltic lava pulverized by meteoritic bombardment. 
D)  iron oxides.

Question 5

How is water ice able to remain on the surface of Mercury, despite the planet's close proximity to the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  The water ice is continuously replenished by condensation of water vapor from volcanoes. 
B)  The water ice is continuously replenished by fresh impacts from comets. 
C)  The water ice exists as permafrost below the thermally insulating surface and is exposed only by occasional impacts. 
D)  The water ice is permanently shielded from the Sun by crater walls at the north and south poles. 
A)  The water ice is continuously replenished by condensation of water vapor from volcanoes. 
B)  The water ice is continuously replenished by fresh impacts from comets. 
C)  The water ice exists as permafrost below the thermally insulating surface and is exposed only by occasional impacts. 
D)  The water ice is permanently shielded from the Sun by crater walls at the north and south poles.

Question 6

The surface of Venus

Accepted Answer

A)  shows long mountain ranges similar to the Rockies/Andes ranges and the mid-oceanic ridges on Earth. 
B)  is very smooth, with no mountains or mountain ranges. 
C)  has several large individual volcanoes on a smooth plain but no extensive ridged or mountainous regions. 
D)  has two elevated mountainous regions rising above a smooth plain but no long, connected mountain ranges such as are seen on Earth. 
A)  shows long mountain ranges similar to the Rockies/Andes ranges and the mid-oceanic ridges on Earth. 
B)  is very smooth, with no mountains or mountain ranges. 
C)  has several large individual volcanoes on a smooth plain but no extensive ridged or mountainous regions. 
D)  has two elevated mountainous regions rising above a smooth plain but no long, connected mountain ranges such as are seen on Earth.

Question 7

The temperature in the atmosphere of Venus has its maximum value

Accepted Answer

A)  at the top of the atmosphere-closest to the Sun. 
B)  at the top of the cloud layer. 
C)  at the bottom of the cloud layer. 
D)  on the ground. 
A)  at the top of the atmosphere-closest to the Sun. 
B)  at the top of the cloud layer. 
C)  at the bottom of the cloud layer. 
D)  on the ground.

Question 8

The internal structure of Mercury is a

Accepted Answer

A)  dense iron core taking up almost half the volume of the planet and a rocky mantle surrounding the core. 
B)  rocky core with a liquid (or perhaps frozen) water mantle and icy surface. 
C)  thick rocky mantle taking up most of the volume of the planet, overlaying a small but dense iron core. 
D)  rocky core surrounded by liquid metallic hydrogen and a hydrogen-helium atmosphere. 
A)  dense iron core taking up almost half the volume of the planet and a rocky mantle surrounding the core. 
B)  rocky core with a liquid (or perhaps frozen) water mantle and icy surface. 
C)  thick rocky mantle taking up most of the volume of the planet, overlaying a small but dense iron core. 
D)  rocky core surrounded by liquid metallic hydrogen and a hydrogen-helium atmosphere.

Question 9

The tilt of the equator of Mars to its orbital plane

Accepted Answer

A)  varies periodically through the Martian year. 
B)  is 0°. 
C)  is 90°. 
D)  is very similar to that of Earth, about 25°. 
A)  varies periodically through the Martian year. 
B)  is 0°. 
C)  is 90°. 
D)  is very similar to that of Earth, about 25°.

Question 10

If one is on Mercury and the time is noon (Sun directly overhead), what time of day will it be 1 Mercurian year later (after Mercury has orbited the Sun once)?

Accepted Answer

A)  just after sunset 
B)  any time because Mercury rotates independently of its revolution 
C)  noon 
D)  midnight 
A)  just after sunset 
B)  any time because Mercury rotates independently of its revolution 
C)  noon 
D)  midnight

Question 11

Atmospheric pressure at the surface of Mars compared with atmospheric pressure at Earth's surface is

Accepted Answer

A)  about 90 times greater. 
B)  less than 1/100. 
C)  extremely small (less than 1 millionth). 
D)  about the same. 
A)  about 90 times greater. 
B)  less than 1/100. 
C)  extremely small (less than 1 millionth). 
D)  about the same.

Question 12

Earth has buckled slightly under the weight of its northern polar cap. Mars has not similarly deformed in response to its northern polar cap. This suggests that

Accepted Answer

A)  the crust and upper mantle must be thicker than those of Earth. 
B)  any liquid water under the planet's surface must be very near the surface. 
C)  any life under the planet's surface must be very near the surface. 
D)  the poles must be 100 percent carbon dioxide ice rather than the more dense water ice. 
A)  the crust and upper mantle must be thicker than those of Earth. 
B)  any liquid water under the planet's surface must be very near the surface. 
C)  any life under the planet's surface must be very near the surface. 
D)  the poles must be 100 percent carbon dioxide ice rather than the more dense water ice.

Question 13

When Mariner 10 passed by Mercury, the Caloris Basin was crossed by the terminator line. Which statement correctly evaluates this situation?

Accepted Answer

A)  This is not surprising because the Caloris Basin is so large that the terminator line always crosses part of it. 
B)  This is not surprising. Because of Mercury's synchronous rotation orbit, the terminator line does not move across the face of the planet, and it lies perpetually on the Caloris Basin. 
C)  Because of Mercury's 3-to-2 spin-orbit coupling the terminator line moves slowly across the face of Mercury. When Mariner 10 flew by it happened to lie across the Caloris Basin. 
D)  There is a direct correlation between the Caloris Basin and Mercury's unusual rotation. This unusual rotation occurs because of the bulge on Mercury-and this was caused by the impact that produced the Caloris Basin. So, it is not surprising that the terminator line was found across the Caloris Basin. 
A)  This is not surprising because the Caloris Basin is so large that the terminator line always crosses part of it. 
B)  This is not surprising. Because of Mercury's synchronous rotation orbit, the terminator line does not move across the face of the planet, and it lies perpetually on the Caloris Basin. 
C)  Because of Mercury's 3-to-2 spin-orbit coupling the terminator line moves slowly across the face of Mercury. When Mariner 10 flew by it happened to lie across the Caloris Basin. 
D)  There is a direct correlation between the Caloris Basin and Mercury's unusual rotation. This unusual rotation occurs because of the bulge on Mercury-and this was caused by the impact that produced the Caloris Basin. So, it is not surprising that the terminator line was found across the Caloris Basin.

Question 14

The impact that formed the Caloris Basin on Mercury also created intense seismic waves that disrupted the surface of Mercury on the opposite side of the planet. Which other solar system feature is known to have involved a major impact with a similar result?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mare Orientalis on the Moon 
B)  Hellas Basin on Mars 
C)  Great Rift Valley on Earth 
D)  Cleopatra Caldera on Venus 
A)  Mare Orientalis on the Moon 
B)  Hellas Basin on Mars 
C)  Great Rift Valley on Earth 
D)  Cleopatra Caldera on Venus

Question 15

Which of these has NOT been observed on Venus?

Accepted Answer

A)  lightning 
B)  active volcanoes 
C)  perpetual haze and fog at the surface 
D)  perpetual yellowish cloud cover 
A)  lightning 
B)  active volcanoes 
C)  perpetual haze and fog at the surface 
D)  perpetual yellowish cloud cover

Question 16

Which of these properties of Earth and Mars are very similar?

Accepted Answer

A)  length of solar day and inclination of equator to the ecliptic 
B)  length of solar day and diameter 
C)  planet diameter and inclination of equator to the ecliptic plane 
D)  orbital period and length of solar day 
A)  length of solar day and inclination of equator to the ecliptic 
B)  length of solar day and diameter 
C)  planet diameter and inclination of equator to the ecliptic plane 
D)  orbital period and length of solar day

Question 17

Which of these does NOT characterize the rotational and orbital motion of Venus?

Accepted Answer

A)  retrograde rotation around its axis 
B)  retrograde orbital motion 
C)  rotation axis lying almost in its orbital plane 
D)  sidereal rotation period longer than its orbital period 
A)  retrograde rotation around its axis 
B)  retrograde orbital motion 
C)  rotation axis lying almost in its orbital plane 
D)  sidereal rotation period longer than its orbital period

Question 18

The distinctive red color of Mars is probably caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  progressive reddening of sunlight as it traverses the interplanetary dust between the Sun and Mars and then Mars and Earth. 
B)  red dust that is suspended high above the surface by winds and filters the sunlight. 
C)  the scattering of blue sunlight out of the optical beam by dust in the atmosphere, similar to sunsets on Earth. 
D)  iron oxides or rust in the soil. 
A)  progressive reddening of sunlight as it traverses the interplanetary dust between the Sun and Mars and then Mars and Earth. 
B)  red dust that is suspended high above the surface by winds and filters the sunlight. 
C)  the scattering of blue sunlight out of the optical beam by dust in the atmosphere, similar to sunsets on Earth. 
D)  iron oxides or rust in the soil.

Question 19

Mercury has a very

Accepted Answer

A)  dim magnitude when viewed in the sky. 
B)  low albedo. 
C)  large magnetic field. 
D)  thick atmosphere. 
A)  dim magnitude when viewed in the sky. 
B)  low albedo. 
C)  large magnetic field. 
D)  thick atmosphere.

Question 20

Scientists have now examined rocks that came from Mars in their laboratories on Earth because

Accepted Answer

A)  an orbiting spacecraft scooped up Martian dust during its passage by Mars and then returned to Earth. 
B)  several meteorites are now thought to have been knocked off Mars and fallen to Earth. 
C)  spacecraft have been to the surface of Mars and have returned with samples of Martian rocks and soil. 
D)  a large impact that occurred on the Martian surface early in its history created a vast dust cloud through which Earth passes once per year, and samples of this dust have now been collected by the space shuttle. 
A)  an orbiting spacecraft scooped up Martian dust during its passage by Mars and then returned to Earth. 
B)  several meteorites are now thought to have been knocked off Mars and fallen to Earth. 
C)  spacecraft have been to the surface of Mars and have returned with samples of Martian rocks and soil. 
D)  a large impact that occurred on the Martian surface early in its history created a vast dust cloud through which Earth passes once per year, and samples of this dust have now been collected by the space shuttle.

Mercury can be seen easily from Earth only

Tomorrow's weather forecast for the Caloris Basin on Mercury's equator is

How long is 1 solar day (e.g., noon to noon) on Mercury in Earth days?

The dominant component of the soil on Mars is probably

How is water ice able to remain on the surface of Mercury, despite the planet's close proximity to the Sun?

The surface of Venus

The temperature in the atmosphere of Venus has its maximum value

The internal structure of Mercury is a

The tilt of the equator of Mars to its orbital plane

If one is on Mercury and the time is noon (Sun directly overhead), what time of day will it be 1 Mercurian year later (after Mercury has orbited the Sun once)?

Atmospheric pressure at the surface of Mars compared with atmospheric pressure at Earth's surface is

Earth has buckled slightly under the weight of its northern polar cap. Mars has not similarly deformed in response to its northern polar cap. This suggests that

When Mariner 10 passed by Mercury, the Caloris Basin was crossed by the terminator line. Which statement correctly evaluates this situation?

The impact that formed the Caloris Basin on Mercury also created intense seismic waves that disrupted the surface of Mercury on the opposite side of the planet. Which other solar system feature is known to have involved a major impact with a similar result?

Which of these has NOT been observed on Venus?

Which of these properties of Earth and Mars are very similar?

Which of these does NOT characterize the rotational and orbital motion of Venus?

The distinctive red color of Mars is probably caused by

Mercury has a very

Scientists have now examined rocks that came from Mars in their laboratories on Earth because

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 Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

Exam 8: The Other Terrestrial Planets

Mercury can be seen easily from Earth only

Tomorrow's weather forecast for the Caloris Basin on Mercury's equator is

How long is 1 solar day (e.g., noon to noon) on Mercury in Earth days?

The dominant component of the soil on Mars is probably

How is water ice able to remain on the surface of Mercury, despite the planet's close proximity to the Sun?

The surface of Venus

The temperature in the atmosphere of Venus has its maximum value

The internal structure of Mercury is a

The tilt of the equator of Mars to its orbital plane

If one is on Mercury and the time is noon (Sun directly overhead), what time of day will it be 1 Mercurian year later (after Mercury has orbited the Sun once)?

Atmospheric pressure at the surface of Mars compared with atmospheric pressure at Earth's surface is

Earth has buckled slightly under the weight of its northern polar cap. Mars has not similarly deformed in response to its northern polar cap. This suggests that

When Mariner 10 passed by Mercury, the Caloris Basin was crossed by the terminator line. Which statement correctly evaluates this situation?

The impact that formed the Caloris Basin on Mercury also created intense seismic waves that disrupted the surface of Mercury on the opposite side of the planet. Which other solar system feature is known to have involved a major impact with a similar result?

Which of these has NOT been observed on Venus?

Which of these properties of Earth and Mars are very similar?

Which of these does NOT characterize the rotational and orbital motion of Venus?

The distinctive red color of Mars is probably caused by

Mercury has a very

Scientists have now examined rocks that came from Mars in their laboratories on Earth because

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 Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters