Question 1

The CORRECT sequence of planets in our solar system from the Sun outward is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury, Earth, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 
B)  Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 
C)  Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter, and Neptune. 
D)  Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 
A)  Mercury, Earth, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 
B)  Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 
C)  Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter, and Neptune. 
D)  Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Question 2

Each one of the following contributes to librations and our ability to see more than half the Moon's surface EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Moon moves in an elliptical orbit. 
B)  The Moon's orbital plane is tilted from the ecliptic plane. 
C)  Earth's orbit about the Sun is not circular. 
D)  We can view the Moon from various positions on Earth's surface. 
A)  The Moon moves in an elliptical orbit. 
B)  The Moon's orbital plane is tilted from the ecliptic plane. 
C)  Earth's orbit about the Sun is not circular. 
D)  We can view the Moon from various positions on Earth's surface.

Question 3

How quickly is the Moon spiraling away from Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  a few centimeters per million years 
B)  The Moon is not moving away from Earth because its orbit is governed by Newton's laws. 
C)  a few centimeters per century 
D)  a few centimeters per year 
A)  a few centimeters per million years 
B)  The Moon is not moving away from Earth because its orbit is governed by Newton's laws. 
C)  a few centimeters per century 
D)  a few centimeters per year

Question 4

Which feature has been found on Mercury,but not on the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  ejecta blankets 
B)  volcanic craters 
C)  central peaks 
D)  scarps 
A)  ejecta blankets 
B)  volcanic craters 
C)  central peaks 
D)  scarps

Question 5

The major volcanoes on Mars have formed:

Accepted Answer

A)  in mountain belts where the planet's surface is being stressed as it is bent and subducted back into the mantle. 
B)  where shrinkage of the crust during cooling early in the planet's history has wrinkled the surface. 
C)  on long, interconnected ridges where magma, rising from the mantle, is pushing the crust apart. 
D)  over individual stationary hot spots in the underlying molten mantle. 
A)  in mountain belts where the planet's surface is being stressed as it is bent and subducted back into the mantle. 
B)  where shrinkage of the crust during cooling early in the planet's history has wrinkled the surface. 
C)  on long, interconnected ridges where magma, rising from the mantle, is pushing the crust apart. 
D)  over individual stationary hot spots in the underlying molten mantle.

Question 6

Mars has a period and direction of rotation that are:

Accepted Answer

A)  a little longer than 24 hours and in the same direction as Earth. 
B)  687 days (1 Martian year) because Mars always turns the same face toward the Sun. 
C)  just less than 10 hours and in the same direction as Earth. 
D)  about 240 days and in the opposite direction as Earth (retrograde rotation). 
A)  a little longer than 24 hours and in the same direction as Earth. 
B)  687 days (1 Martian year) because Mars always turns the same face toward the Sun. 
C)  just less than 10 hours and in the same direction as Earth. 
D)  about 240 days and in the opposite direction as Earth (retrograde rotation).

Question 7

What causes the phenomenon of the aurora?

Accepted Answer

A)  Solar ultraviolet light excites ozone molecules in the ozone layer. 
B)  Charged particles from the magnetosphere strike atoms in the upper atmosphere, causing them to emit characteristic colors of light. 
C)  Light from solar flares reflects from high-altitude clouds in Earth's atmosphere. 
D)  Charged particles emit light as they spiral along magnetic field lines in the magnetosphere. 
A)  Solar ultraviolet light excites ozone molecules in the ozone layer. 
B)  Charged particles from the magnetosphere strike atoms in the upper atmosphere, causing them to emit characteristic colors of light. 
C)  Light from solar flares reflects from high-altitude clouds in Earth's atmosphere. 
D)  Charged particles emit light as they spiral along magnetic field lines in the magnetosphere.

Question 8

How old are the lunar maria?

Accepted Answer

A)  less than 1 billion years old 
B)  4.0 to 4.3 billion years old 
C)  3.1 to 3.8 billion years old 
D)  1.8 to 2.6 billion years old 
A)  less than 1 billion years old 
B)  4.0 to 4.3 billion years old 
C)  3.1 to 3.8 billion years old 
D)  1.8 to 2.6 billion years old

Question 9

Which observation has been made about the Moon that will be very helpful (if they prove true)as humans begin to plan for its colonization?

Accepted Answer

A)  the discovery of evidence of water (as ice) that can be used for the support of life, the growth of food, and as fuel if it is split into hydrogen and oxygen by sunlight 
B)  its synchronous rotation, keeping one side opposite Earth at all times, simplifying communication with Earth stations 
C)  the mapping of rilles that, as collapsed lava tunnels, indicate that intact tunnels may be found that will be useful as shelter for early settlers 
D)  the discovery of coal, an essential source of fuel, in various locations 
A)  the discovery of evidence of water (as ice) that can be used for the support of life, the growth of food, and as fuel if it is split into hydrogen and oxygen by sunlight 
B)  its synchronous rotation, keeping one side opposite Earth at all times, simplifying communication with Earth stations 
C)  the mapping of rilles that, as collapsed lava tunnels, indicate that intact tunnels may be found that will be useful as shelter for early settlers 
D)  the discovery of coal, an essential source of fuel, in various locations

Question 10

We believe Mercury suffered a major collision early in the history of the solar system.What was the result of this collision?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mercury's original core, along with a relatively thin mantle, formed the present Mercury. The remaining material was deflected out 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 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 11

Suppose Mercury had 5-to-3 spin-orbit coupling and that its sidereal period remained 88 days,as now.You observe the Sun directly overhead in the Mercurian sky and then observe again from the same location 88 days later.Where will the Sun be in the sky? (Mercury,like Earth,rotates toward the east.)

Accepted Answer

A)  below the eastern horizon 
B)  below the western horizon 
C)  directly overhead again 
D)  directly on the opposite side of the planet 
A)  below the eastern horizon 
B)  below the western horizon 
C)  directly overhead again 
D)  directly on the opposite side of the planet

Question 12

One of the major differences between Earth and its neighboring planets Venus and Mars is the lack of large quantities of CO₂ in its atmosphere.If all three planets were originally formed with significant quantities of this gas in their atmospheres,where is the majority of this CO₂ on Earth at the present time?

Accepted Answer

A)  dissociated by UV and visible sunlight into carbon and oxygen that now exist in abundance as separate chemicals 
B)  concentrated low in the atmosphere near Earth's surface, where it contributes to the greenhouse effect 
C)  locked up in solid form within the polar caps 
D)  locked up in carbonate and carbon-rich rocks and minerals formed in the sea and on Earth's surface 
A)  dissociated by UV and visible sunlight into carbon and oxygen that now exist in abundance as separate chemicals 
B)  concentrated low in the atmosphere near Earth's surface, where it contributes to the greenhouse effect 
C)  locked up in solid form within the polar caps 
D)  locked up in carbonate and carbon-rich rocks and minerals formed in the sea and on Earth's surface

Question 13

In 2010,the lunar orbiter Chandrayaan-1 discovered hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen in the:

Accepted Answer

A)  Moon's atmosphere. 
B)  regolith. 
C)  basalt of Mare Tranquillitatis. 
D)  rilles on the Moon's far side. 
A)  Moon's atmosphere. 
B)  regolith. 
C)  basalt of Mare Tranquillitatis. 
D)  rilles on the Moon's far side.

Question 14

Which scientific approach gives us the MOST information about the deep interior of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  deep drilling of exploratory holes for science and mineral recovery (e.g., oil) 
B)  the study of lava flows from volcanoes 
C)  the measurement of cosmic neutrinos, which pass very easily through Earth 
D)  the worldwide measurement of low-frequency seismic waves produced by earthquakes 
A)  deep drilling of exploratory holes for science and mineral recovery (e.g., oil) 
B)  the study of lava flows from volcanoes 
C)  the measurement of cosmic neutrinos, which pass very easily through Earth 
D)  the worldwide measurement of low-frequency seismic waves produced by earthquakes

Question 15

What is the MOST probable heat source that produced extensive,maybe even total,melting of the Moon at an early stage in its history?

Accepted Answer

A)  nuclear fusion reactions occurring in its core 
B)  intense sunlight from the early and very active Sun 
C)  tidal flexing and distortion caused by its motion around Earth 
D)  decay of radioactive elements within it and the impact energy of meteoritic bombardment 
A)  nuclear fusion reactions occurring in its core 
B)  intense sunlight from the early and very active Sun 
C)  tidal flexing and distortion caused by its motion around Earth 
D)  decay of radioactive elements within it and the impact energy of meteoritic bombardment

Question 16

On which planetary body can distinct evidence be seen for the flow of water at an earlier time?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mars 
B)  Earth's Moon 
C)  Venus 
D)  Titan, the moon of Saturn 
A)  Mars 
B)  Earth's Moon 
C)  Venus 
D)  Titan, the moon of Saturn

Question 17

Where in the planetary system is the massive extinct supervolcano Olympus Mons?

Accepted Answer

A)  on the mountain range Ishtar Terra on Venus 
B)  on Earth 
C)  on Mars 
D)  on Io, one of the moons of Jupiter 
A)  on the mountain range Ishtar Terra on Venus 
B)  on Earth 
C)  on Mars 
D)  on Io, one of the moons of Jupiter

Question 18

What is the "face" on Mars?

Accepted Answer

A)  a natural rock formation that looks like a face in the right light 
B)  a small carved portrait placed on the Martian surface by one of the Viking landers. 
C)  a sculpted hill carved either by a long-dead Martian civilization or by visiting aliens 
D)  a natural arrangement of volcanoes and lava plains that gives the appearance of a face when viewed from Earth 
A)  a natural rock formation that looks like a face in the right light 
B)  a small carved portrait placed on the Martian surface by one of the Viking landers. 
C)  a sculpted hill carved either by a long-dead Martian civilization or by visiting aliens 
D)  a natural arrangement of volcanoes and lava plains that gives the appearance of a face when viewed from Earth

Question 19

Which theory is now considered to be the MOST likely for the formation of the Moon?

Accepted Answer

A)  fission theory, in which a passing planetesimal body pulled material out of the still-molten Earth and left it in orbit to form the present-day Moon 
B)  cocreation theory, in which Earth and the Moon were formed at the same time out of the same material 
C)  capture theory, in which Earth's gravity drew the Moon into orbit around it 
D)  collision-ejection theory, where an interplanetary collision knocked material into orbit around Earth that eventually formed into the present-day Moon 
A)  fission theory, in which a passing planetesimal body pulled material out of the still-molten Earth and left it in orbit to form the present-day Moon 
B)  cocreation theory, in which Earth and the Moon were formed at the same time out of the same material 
C)  capture theory, in which Earth's gravity drew the Moon into orbit around it 
D)  collision-ejection theory, where an interplanetary collision knocked material into orbit around Earth that eventually formed into the present-day Moon

Question 20

MOST of the craters on the Moon were formed by:

Accepted Answer

A)  water erosion, followed by evaporation early in the Moon's history, leaving behind the empty basins, the maria, and craters. 
B)  a nuclear war in which the lunar inhabitants wiped themselves off the face of the Moon. 
C)  bombardment by interplanetary meteoritic material. 
D)  volcanic action; the craters are the old calderas of volcanoes. 
A)  water erosion, followed by evaporation early in the Moon's history, leaving behind the empty basins, the maria, and craters. 
B)  a nuclear war in which the lunar inhabitants wiped themselves off the face of the Moon. 
C)  bombardment by interplanetary meteoritic material. 
D)  volcanic action; the craters are the old calderas of volcanoes.

The CORRECT sequence of planets in our solar system from the Sun outward is:

Each one of the following contributes to librations and our ability to see more than half the Moon's surface EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

How quickly is the Moon spiraling away from Earth?

Which feature has been found on Mercury,but not on the Moon?

The major volcanoes on Mars have formed:

Mars has a period and direction of rotation that are:

What causes the phenomenon of the aurora?

How old are the lunar maria?

Which observation has been made about the Moon that will be very helpful (if they prove true)as humans begin to plan for its colonization?

We believe Mercury suffered a major collision early in the history of the solar system.What was the result of this collision?

Suppose Mercury had 5-to-3 spin-orbit coupling and that its sidereal period remained 88 days,as now.You observe the Sun directly overhead in the Mercurian sky and then observe again from the same location 88 days later.Where will the Sun be in the sky? (Mercury,like Earth,rotates toward the east.)

In 2010,the lunar orbiter Chandrayaan-1 discovered hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen in the:

Which scientific approach gives us the MOST information about the deep interior of Earth?

What is the MOST probable heat source that produced extensive,maybe even total,melting of the Moon at an early stage in its history?

On which planetary body can distinct evidence be seen for the flow of water at an earlier time?

Where in the planetary system is the massive extinct supervolcano Olympus Mons?

What is the "face" on Mars?

Which theory is now considered to be the MOST likely for the formation of the Moon?

MOST of the craters on the Moon were formed by:

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 Outer 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 6: The Terrestrial Planets and Their Moons

The CORRECT sequence of planets in our solar system from the Sun outward is:

Each one of the following contributes to librations and our ability to see more than half the Moon's surface EXCEPT ONE.Which is the exception?

How quickly is the Moon spiraling away from Earth?

Which feature has been found on Mercury,but not on the Moon?

The major volcanoes on Mars have formed:

Mars has a period and direction of rotation that are:

What causes the phenomenon of the aurora?

How old are the lunar maria?

Which observation has been made about the Moon that will be very helpful (if they prove true)as humans begin to plan for its colonization?

We believe Mercury suffered a major collision early in the history of the solar system.What was the result of this collision?

Suppose Mercury had 5-to-3 spin-orbit coupling and that its sidereal period remained 88 days,as now.You observe the Sun directly overhead in the Mercurian sky and then observe again from the same location 88 days later.Where will the Sun be in the sky? (Mercury,like Earth,rotates toward the east.)

In 2010,the lunar orbiter Chandrayaan-1 discovered hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen in the:

Which scientific approach gives us the MOST information about the deep interior of Earth?

What is the MOST probable heat source that produced extensive,maybe even total,melting of the Moon at an early stage in its history?

On which planetary body can distinct evidence be seen for the flow of water at an earlier time?

Where in the planetary system is the massive extinct supervolcano Olympus Mons?

What is the "face" on Mars?

Which theory is now considered to be the MOST likely for the formation of the Moon?

MOST of the craters on the Moon were formed by:

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 Outer 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