Question 1

In which very harsh environment has life NOT been found on Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  deep inside Earth's crust 
B)  in a lake locked far under the Antarctic ice pack 
C)  in the hot water within geothermal vents on the ocean floor 
D)  Life has been found in even the harshest environments on Earth. 
A)  deep inside Earth's crust 
B)  in a lake locked far under the Antarctic ice pack 
C)  in the hot water within geothermal vents on the ocean floor 
D)  Life has been found in even the harshest environments on Earth.

Question 2

The primary constituents for the organic molecules needed for life do NOT include which compound?

Accepted Answer

A)  oxygen 
B)  sulfur 
C)  carbon 
D)  silicon 
A)  oxygen 
B)  sulfur 
C)  carbon 
D)  silicon

Question 3

Earth has been sending out strong radio messages for about 115 years,so detection equipment on a hypothetical planet 115 light-years away might just now begin receiving them.What is the parallax angle subtended by a system at this distance? Can we detect such a parallax angle with our present technology?

Accepted Answer

A)  0.0027 arcseconds; no 
B)  0.0087 arcseconds; yes 
C)  0.028 arcseconds; yes 
D)  115 arcseconds; yes 
A)  0.0027 arcseconds; no 
B)  0.0087 arcseconds; yes 
C)  0.028 arcseconds; yes 
D)  115 arcseconds; yes

Question 4

The Drake equation calculates the number of technically advanced civilizations in the Galaxy as a product of seven factors: R* fp nₑ fl fᵢ fc L.In the sample calculation in the text,these values are taken as 1 × 1 × 0.1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 100 = 10.If we were to redo the calculation,increasing each increasable factor by a multiple of ten,what would the result be?

Accepted Answer

A)  10 
B)  10⁴ 
C)  10⁶ 
D)  10⁸ 
A)  10 
B)  10⁴ 
C)  10⁶ 
D)  10⁸

Question 5

Several lines of evidence now suggest that large and complex organic molecules can exist or could evolve in outer space,from which the building blocks of life could be formed.Which is NOT one of these observational findings?

Accepted Answer

A)  radio astronomical observations of large organic molecules in giant molecular clouds 
B)  discovery of organic molecules inside some meteorites 
C)  discovery by the Viking landers of large organic molecules in the Martian regolith 
D)  laboratory experiments in which electrical sparks passing through a combination of simple gases such as H₂O, H₂, N₂, and CO₂ produced large organic molecules 
A)  radio astronomical observations of large organic molecules in giant molecular clouds 
B)  discovery of organic molecules inside some meteorites 
C)  discovery by the Viking landers of large organic molecules in the Martian regolith 
D)  laboratory experiments in which electrical sparks passing through a combination of simple gases such as H₂O, H₂, N₂, and CO₂ produced large organic molecules

Question 6

Which idea has been borne out by actual astronomical observations over the past few centuries?

Accepted Answer

A)  The probability of life existing elsewhere in the universe, even elsewhere in our own solar system, is extremely great. 
B)  Earth appears to occupy a unique position in the universe, unrepeated anywhere, since the Sun is unique in properties and position in a remarkable galaxy. 
C)  All the observational evidence so far suggests that conditions for the evolution of life exist only on Earth in its position near the Sun. 
D)  The Sun is an unremarkable star in a commonplace galaxy, and many similar stars exist in the universe around which life might evolve on planets. 
A)  The probability of life existing elsewhere in the universe, even elsewhere in our own solar system, is extremely great. 
B)  Earth appears to occupy a unique position in the universe, unrepeated anywhere, since the Sun is unique in properties and position in a remarkable galaxy. 
C)  All the observational evidence so far suggests that conditions for the evolution of life exist only on Earth in its position near the Sun. 
D)  The Sun is an unremarkable star in a commonplace galaxy, and many similar stars exist in the universe around which life might evolve on planets.

Question 7

The so-called water hole is a range in the electromagnetic spectrum in which searches for transmissions of extraterrestrial origin are being conducted.In what region of the electromagnetic spectrum does the water hole occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  ultraviolet 
B)  visible 
C)  infrared 
D)  microwave 
A)  ultraviolet 
B)  visible 
C)  infrared 
D)  microwave

Question 8

The meteorite ALH 84001 was discovered in Antarctica in 1984.Some researchers claimed that it came from Mars and that it showed fossilized evidence of life.At the present time,the scientific community is in general agreement that this meteorite:

Accepted Answer

A)  came from Mars. 
B)  contains fossilized life forms. 
C)  does not contain fossilized life forms. 
D)  came from Mars and contains fossilized life forms. 
A)  came from Mars. 
B)  contains fossilized life forms. 
C)  does not contain fossilized life forms. 
D)  came from Mars and contains fossilized life forms.

Question 9

In the Drake equation for estimating the possible number of technically advanced civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy,why does the factor for the rate at which solar-type stars form in a galaxy exclude massive stars with masses greater than about 1.5 times that of the Sun?

Accepted Answer

A)  Such stars have much shorter lifetimes than it took for intelligent life to develop on Earth and hence should probably not be considered. 
B)  Such stars never develop a nuclear furnace in their interiors and hence can never heat any planet sufficiently to sustain life. 
C)  Such stars would never develop nuclear processes that could produce heavy elements (e.g., iron) needed for planetary formation. 
D)  Such stars are prone to repeated and violent supernova explosions throughout their lives, which would destroy any developing life-forms. 
A)  Such stars have much shorter lifetimes than it took for intelligent life to develop on Earth and hence should probably not be considered. 
B)  Such stars never develop a nuclear furnace in their interiors and hence can never heat any planet sufficiently to sustain life. 
C)  Such stars would never develop nuclear processes that could produce heavy elements (e.g., iron) needed for planetary formation. 
D)  Such stars are prone to repeated and violent supernova explosions throughout their lives, which would destroy any developing life-forms.

Question 10

Why is the strategy of searches for extraterrestrial life usually based on carbon chemistry?

Accepted Answer

A)  Carbon dioxide is the main ingredient of planetary atmospheres, both terrestrial and Jovian. 
B)  No other atom can combine easily with the abundant hydrogen and helium to form long molecules in interstellar gas. 
C)  Most meteorites that reach Earth are composed of carbon. 
D)  Carbon is abundant and is versatile in forming complex, long-chain molecules. 
A)  Carbon dioxide is the main ingredient of planetary atmospheres, both terrestrial and Jovian. 
B)  No other atom can combine easily with the abundant hydrogen and helium to form long molecules in interstellar gas. 
C)  Most meteorites that reach Earth are composed of carbon. 
D)  Carbon is abundant and is versatile in forming complex, long-chain molecules.

Question 11

Which object in the solar system seems to be the ONLY one capable of fostering an advanced civilization?

Accepted Answer

A)  Titan, a moon of Saturn 
B)  Europa, a moon of Jupiter 
C)  Callisto, a moon of Jupiter 
D)  Earth 
A)  Titan, a moon of Saturn 
B)  Europa, a moon of Jupiter 
C)  Callisto, a moon of Jupiter 
D)  Earth

Question 12

Why was the discovery of pulsars initially misinterpreted as evidence of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe?

Accepted Answer

A)  It was not thought possible for a "natural" radio source to produce the rapid and extremely regular radio pulses detected from space. 
B)  Radio telescopes occasionally detected the same sequence of five musical notes, which were then whistled or hummed regularly by all the people associated with these telescopes (D, E, C, lower C, and G on a piano). 
C)  Pulses arriving from several nearby star systems showed Doppler shifts of frequency apparently caused by orbital motion of their source around the central stars, as if coming from planets. 
D)  The rate of pulses detected from space appeared to contain primitive coding similar to a crude Morse code. 
A)  It was not thought possible for a "natural" radio source to produce the rapid and extremely regular radio pulses detected from space. 
B)  Radio telescopes occasionally detected the same sequence of five musical notes, which were then whistled or hummed regularly by all the people associated with these telescopes (D, E, C, lower C, and G on a piano). 
C)  Pulses arriving from several nearby star systems showed Doppler shifts of frequency apparently caused by orbital motion of their source around the central stars, as if coming from planets. 
D)  The rate of pulses detected from space appeared to contain primitive coding similar to a crude Morse code.

Question 13

Many of the extrasolar planets discovered thus far contain large planets orbiting close to their stars.It is considered unlikely to find habitable Earthlike planets in such systems.What is the reason?

Accepted Answer

A)  Large planets close to their stars tend to block sunlight from reaching planets farther out in the "habitable zone." 
B)  The gravitational effects of these large planets would cause Earthlike planets to move into highly elliptical orbits, and that would result in large temperature variations. 
C)  Large planets close to their stars would tend to accumulate all of the heavy rocks and metals during the solar nebula phase. These would thus not be available for creating Earthlike planets farther out. 
D)  Large planets would tend to attract much space debris during the early formative phases of that solar system. This would result in other nearby planets being blasted and heavily cratered for long periods, making it difficult for a civilization to develop. 
A)  Large planets close to their stars tend to block sunlight from reaching planets farther out in the "habitable zone." 
B)  The gravitational effects of these large planets would cause Earthlike planets to move into highly elliptical orbits, and that would result in large temperature variations. 
C)  Large planets close to their stars would tend to accumulate all of the heavy rocks and metals during the solar nebula phase. These would thus not be available for creating Earthlike planets farther out. 
D)  Large planets would tend to attract much space debris during the early formative phases of that solar system. This would result in other nearby planets being blasted and heavily cratered for long periods, making it difficult for a civilization to develop.

Question 14

In which environment have long-chain carbon-based molecules NOT been found?

Accepted Answer

A)  meteorites 
B)  massive interstellar clouds of gas and dust 
C)  the surface of Earth 
D)  the surfaces of planets and moons such as Venus and Jupiter's moon Callisto 
A)  meteorites 
B)  massive interstellar clouds of gas and dust 
C)  the surface of Earth 
D)  the surfaces of planets and moons such as Venus and Jupiter's moon Callisto

Question 15

Which wavelength range in the electromagnetic spectrum has been the MOST fruitful in the search for complex organic molecules in space?

Accepted Answer

A)  infrared radiation 
B)  visible radiation 
C)  UV radiation 
D)  microwaves and short-wavelength radio waves 
A)  infrared radiation 
B)  visible radiation 
C)  UV radiation 
D)  microwaves and short-wavelength radio waves

Question 16

Our speculation about the possibility that life might exist in the harsh environment of Europa's subsurface oceans or in the ice-based permafrost of Mars has recently been given a boost with the discovery of life in the similarly harsh environment:

Accepted Answer

A)  on the far side of the Moon. 
B)  in a lake deep beneath the Antarctic ice pack. 
C)  on meteoroids. 
D)  in the cold, rarified upper atmosphere above Earth's poles. 
A)  on the far side of the Moon. 
B)  in a lake deep beneath the Antarctic ice pack. 
C)  on meteoroids. 
D)  in the cold, rarified upper atmosphere above Earth's poles.

Question 17

One aspect of astrobiology is the attempt to replicate steps in the process that led to the creation and evolution of life.An important step occurred in 2010 when:

Accepted Answer

A)  living organisms were discovered on a carbonaceous chondrite meteorite. 
B)  a living virus was created in a laboratory. 
C)  a simple artificial cell was fabricated. 
D)  organic structures were discovered in the Martian meteorite ALH84001. 
A)  living organisms were discovered on a carbonaceous chondrite meteorite. 
B)  a living virus was created in a laboratory. 
C)  a simple artificial cell was fabricated. 
D)  organic structures were discovered in the Martian meteorite ALH84001.

Question 18

The basic chemical molecules thought to have been present in abundance in the early planetary system,which were used in the classical Urey-Miller laboratory experiments in which complex compounds essential to life were formed by electric discharges,were:

Accepted Answer

A)  CO₂ (carbon dioxide), H₂O (water), and H₂ (hydrogen). 
B)  H₂ (hydrogen), O₂ (oxygen), and CO₂ (carbon dioxide). 
C)  CH₄ (methane), NH₃ (ammonia), H₂O (water), and H₂ (hydrogen). 
D)  H₂ (hydrogen), He (helium), Ar (argon), and Ne (neon). 
A)  CO₂ (carbon dioxide), H₂O (water), and H₂ (hydrogen). 
B)  H₂ (hydrogen), O₂ (oxygen), and CO₂ (carbon dioxide). 
C)  CH₄ (methane), NH₃ (ammonia), H₂O (water), and H₂ (hydrogen). 
D)  H₂ (hydrogen), He (helium), Ar (argon), and Ne (neon).

Question 19

If we do eventually make contact with other civilizations across space,which condition will inevitably hold?

Accepted Answer

A)  We will not be able to understand the messages. 
B)  The civilization is likely to be very much more technologically primitive than ours. 
C)  Conversations will take a very long time. 
D)  The chemistry and biology of the life-forms are likely to be very different from ours-for example, silicon-based rather than carbon-based. 
A)  We will not be able to understand the messages. 
B)  The civilization is likely to be very much more technologically primitive than ours. 
C)  Conversations will take a very long time. 
D)  The chemistry and biology of the life-forms are likely to be very different from ours-for example, silicon-based rather than carbon-based.

Question 20

Which statement is NOT considered to be a reason carbon is thought to be the element on which complex extraterrestrial life is likely to be based?

Accepted Answer

A)  Carbon forms chemical bonds that are both strong and flexible. 
B)  Every life-form on Earth is carbon-based, over an immense range of conditions. 
C)  Carbon releases a significant amount of energy when it combines with hydrogen. 
D)  Carbon provides a basis for forming long, complex chains of molecules. 
A)  Carbon forms chemical bonds that are both strong and flexible. 
B)  Every life-form on Earth is carbon-based, over an immense range of conditions. 
C)  Carbon releases a significant amount of energy when it combines with hydrogen. 
D)  Carbon provides a basis for forming long, complex chains of molecules.

In which very harsh environment has life NOT been found on Earth?

The primary constituents for the organic molecules needed for life do NOT include which compound?

Several lines of evidence now suggest that large and complex organic molecules can exist or could evolve in outer space,from which the building blocks of life could be formed.Which is NOT one of these observational findings?

Which idea has been borne out by actual astronomical observations over the past few centuries?

The so-called water hole is a range in the electromagnetic spectrum in which searches for transmissions of extraterrestrial origin are being conducted.In what region of the electromagnetic spectrum does the water hole occur?

The meteorite ALH 84001 was discovered in Antarctica in 1984.Some researchers claimed that it came from Mars and that it showed fossilized evidence of life.At the present time,the scientific community is in general agreement that this meteorite:

In the Drake equation for estimating the possible number of technically advanced civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy,why does the factor for the rate at which solar-type stars form in a galaxy exclude massive stars with masses greater than about 1.5 times that of the Sun?

Why is the strategy of searches for extraterrestrial life usually based on carbon chemistry?

Which object in the solar system seems to be the ONLY one capable of fostering an advanced civilization?

Why was the discovery of pulsars initially misinterpreted as evidence of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe?

Many of the extrasolar planets discovered thus far contain large planets orbiting close to their stars.It is considered unlikely to find habitable Earthlike planets in such systems.What is the reason?

In which environment have long-chain carbon-based molecules NOT been found?

Which wavelength range in the electromagnetic spectrum has been the MOST fruitful in the search for complex organic molecules in space?

Our speculation about the possibility that life might exist in the harsh environment of Europa's subsurface oceans or in the ice-based permafrost of Mars has recently been given a boost with the discovery of life in the similarly harsh environment:

One aspect of astrobiology is the attempt to replicate steps in the process that led to the creation and evolution of life.An important step occurred in 2010 when:

The basic chemical molecules thought to have been present in abundance in the early planetary system,which were used in the classical Urey-Miller laboratory experiments in which complex compounds essential to life were formed by electric discharges,were:

If we do eventually make contact with other civilizations across space,which condition will inevitably hold?

Which statement is NOT considered to be a reason carbon is thought to be the element on which complex extraterrestrial life is likely to be based?

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

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

Filters

Exam 15: Astrobiology

In which very harsh environment has life NOT been found on Earth?

The primary constituents for the organic molecules needed for life do NOT include which compound?

Several lines of evidence now suggest that large and complex organic molecules can exist or could evolve in outer space,from which the building blocks of life could be formed.Which is NOT one of these observational findings?

Which idea has been borne out by actual astronomical observations over the past few centuries?

The so-called water hole is a range in the electromagnetic spectrum in which searches for transmissions of extraterrestrial origin are being conducted.In what region of the electromagnetic spectrum does the water hole occur?

The meteorite ALH 84001 was discovered in Antarctica in 1984.Some researchers claimed that it came from Mars and that it showed fossilized evidence of life.At the present time,the scientific community is in general agreement that this meteorite:

In the Drake equation for estimating the possible number of technically advanced civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy,why does the factor for the rate at which solar-type stars form in a galaxy exclude massive stars with masses greater than about 1.5 times that of the Sun?

Why is the strategy of searches for extraterrestrial life usually based on carbon chemistry?

Which object in the solar system seems to be the ONLY one capable of fostering an advanced civilization?

Why was the discovery of pulsars initially misinterpreted as evidence of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe?

Many of the extrasolar planets discovered thus far contain large planets orbiting close to their stars.It is considered unlikely to find habitable Earthlike planets in such systems.What is the reason?

In which environment have long-chain carbon-based molecules NOT been found?

Which wavelength range in the electromagnetic spectrum has been the MOST fruitful in the search for complex organic molecules in space?

Our speculation about the possibility that life might exist in the harsh environment of Europa's subsurface oceans or in the ice-based permafrost of Mars has recently been given a boost with the discovery of life in the similarly harsh environment:

One aspect of astrobiology is the attempt to replicate steps in the process that led to the creation and evolution of life.An important step occurred in 2010 when:

The basic chemical molecules thought to have been present in abundance in the early planetary system,which were used in the classical Urey-Miller laboratory experiments in which complex compounds essential to life were formed by electric discharges,were:

If we do eventually make contact with other civilizations across space,which condition will inevitably hold?

Which statement is NOT considered to be a reason carbon is thought to be the element on which complex extraterrestrial life is likely to be based?

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

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

Filters