Question 1

Where has water been definitively detected on Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  as a liquid flowing along the numerous flood valleys and meandering stream beds 
B)  only as aospheric water vapor, never condensing out as clouds, liquid water, or solid ice 
C)  in permafrost and polar ice caps and as water vapor in the atmosphere 
D)  as a liquid in undersurface lakes and rivers 
A)  as a liquid flowing along the numerous flood valleys and meandering stream beds 
B)  only as aospheric water vapor, never condensing out as clouds, liquid water, or solid ice 
C)  in permafrost and polar ice caps and as water vapor in the atmosphere 
D)  as a liquid in undersurface lakes and rivers

Question 2

Many planetary scientists believe Mercury suffered a major collision early in the history of the solar system. How could such a collision explain some of Mercury's peculiar properties?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury's original core, along with a relatively thin mantle, formed the present Mercury. The remaining material was deflected out into the inner solar system. 
B)  The impactor, a large iron meteorite, was absorbed by Mercury, enhancing its iron core. 
C)  Mercury's original core, plus a very thin mantle, formed the present Mercury. The remaining material formed Vulcan, the small planet inside Mercury's orbit. 
D)  The result was dense Mercury and non-dense Venus. 
A)  Mercury's original core, along with a relatively thin mantle, formed the present Mercury. The remaining material was deflected out into the inner solar system. 
B)  The impactor, a large iron meteorite, was absorbed by Mercury, enhancing its iron core. 
C)  Mercury's original core, plus a very thin mantle, formed the present Mercury. The remaining material formed Vulcan, the small planet inside Mercury's orbit. 
D)  The result was dense Mercury and non-dense Venus.

Question 3

In view of the present surface and atmospheric conditions on Mars, why would there be no liquid water on its surface?

Accepted Answer

A)  The water would all be frozen, given the prevailing day and night temperatures. 
B)  The very low atmospheric pressure would allow the water to boil and evaporate rapidly. 
C)  Water would have reacted chemically with the surface rocks. 
D)  The UV radiation from the Sun would have dissociated the water molecules into hydrogen (which would leave the planet) and oxygen (which is still present). 
A)  The water would all be frozen, given the prevailing day and night temperatures. 
B)  The very low atmospheric pressure would allow the water to boil and evaporate rapidly. 
C)  Water would have reacted chemically with the surface rocks. 
D)  The UV radiation from the Sun would have dissociated the water molecules into hydrogen (which would leave the planet) and oxygen (which is still present).

Question 4

In 1976 the Viking 1 orbiter imaged what appeared to be a humanlike face on Mars. Images taken by Mars Global Surveyor in 1998 did not show any evidence for a face. Which of these did NOT contribute to this difference?

Accepted Answer

A)  a different camera angle 
B)  the washing away of some of the original features by running water 
C)  the eroding away of some of the original features by winds 
D)  improved camera technology 
A)  a different camera angle 
B)  the washing away of some of the original features by running water 
C)  the eroding away of some of the original features by winds 
D)  improved camera technology

Question 5

Craters on Mercury appear to have been produced by

Accepted Answer

A)  both impacts from objects from space early in the planet's history and volcanic activity. 
B)  successive expansion and contraction of the planet's surface because of intense heating by the Sun and severe cooling during rotation because the craters appear to be in irregular lines across the surface. 
C)  volcanic eruptions early in the planet's history. 
D)  continuous impacts by objects from space throughout the planet's history, including very recently in geological time. 
A)  both impacts from objects from space early in the planet's history and volcanic activity. 
B)  successive expansion and contraction of the planet's surface because of intense heating by the Sun and severe cooling during rotation because the craters appear to be in irregular lines across the surface. 
C)  volcanic eruptions early in the planet's history. 
D)  continuous impacts by objects from space throughout the planet's history, including very recently in geological time.

Where has water been definitively detected on Mars?

Many planetary scientists believe Mercury suffered a major collision early in the history of the solar system. How could such a collision explain some of Mercury's peculiar properties?

In view of the present surface and atmospheric conditions on Mars, why would there be no liquid water on its surface?

In 1976 the Viking 1 orbiter imaged what appeared to be a humanlike face on Mars. Images taken by Mars Global Surveyor in 1998 did not show any evidence for a face. Which of these did NOT contribute to this difference?

Craters on Mercury appear to have been produced by

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

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Exam 8: The Other Terrestrial Planets

Where has water been definitively detected on Mars?

Many planetary scientists believe Mercury suffered a major collision early in the history of the solar system. How could such a collision explain some of Mercury's peculiar properties?

In view of the present surface and atmospheric conditions on Mars, why would there be no liquid water on its surface?

In 1976 the Viking 1 orbiter imaged what appeared to be a humanlike face on Mars. Images taken by Mars Global Surveyor in 1998 did not show any evidence for a face. Which of these did NOT contribute to this difference?

Craters on Mercury appear to have been produced by

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