* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Astronomy 311: Terrestrial Planet Geology • What is the most
Survey
Document related concepts
Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems wikipedia , lookup
Formation and evolution of the Solar System wikipedia , lookup
Geocentric model wikipedia , lookup
Astronomical unit wikipedia , lookup
Discovery of Neptune wikipedia , lookup
Astrobiology wikipedia , lookup
Definition of planet wikipedia , lookup
IAU definition of planet wikipedia , lookup
Planets in astrology wikipedia , lookup
Planet Nine wikipedia , lookup
Rare Earth hypothesis wikipedia , lookup
Planets beyond Neptune wikipedia , lookup
Extraterrestrial life wikipedia , lookup
Planetary habitability wikipedia , lookup
Transcript
Astronomy 311: Terrestrial Planet Geology • What is the most important long-lasting internal heat source responsible for geological activity? a) accretion b) radio-active decay c) sunlight? • In general, what kind of planet would you expect to have the thickest lithosphere? a) the largest planet b) the smallest planet c) the planet furthest from the Sun • Which of a planet’s fundamental properties has the greatest effect on its level of volcanic and tectonic activity? a) size b) distance from Sun c) rotation rate? • Suppose we make the following discoveries. Using your knowledge of planetary geology, decide whether the following discoveries should be considered reasonable or surprising, explaining your answer in terms of a terrestrial planet’s fundamental properties. – The next mission to Mercury photographs part of the surface never before seen and detects vast sand dunes. – Seismographs placed on the surface of Mercury record frequent and violent eqrthquakes. – A future orbiter observes a volcanic eruption on Venus. – A Venus radar mapper discovers extensive regions of layered sedimentary rocks, similar to those found on Earth. – Radiometric dating of lunar rocks from a crater show the crater was formed only a few tens of millions of years ago. – Water is found on Martian crater bottoms. – Liquid water is found underneath the Martian surface. – Clear cutting the Amazon rain forest reveals vast regions of ancient terrain that is as heavilyt creteres as the Moon. – Seismic studies on Earth reveal a lost continent that held great human cities a few thousand years ago but that is now buried deep underground of the western coast of Europe. – We find a planet in another Solar System that orbits at the same distance a Sun-like star and has Earth-like plate tectonics but is only the size of the Moon. – We find another planet in another Solar System that is as large as Earth but is as heavily cratered as the Moon. – We find a planet in another Solar System with Earth-like seafloor crust and continental crust but that apparently lacks plate tectonics or any other kind of crustal motion. 1