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Test 2 Review
Questions
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Question 1
Modern telescopes
use mirrors rather
than lenses for all
of these reasons
EXCEPT
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a) light passing through lenses can be
absorbed or scattered.
b) large lenses can be very heavy.
c) large lenses are more difficult to make.
d) mirrors can be computer controlled to
improve resolution.
e) reflecting telescopes aren’t affected by
the atmosphere as much.
Question 1
Modern telescopes
use mirrors rather
than lenses for all
of these reasons
EXCEPT
a) light passing through lenses can be
absorbed or scattered.
b) large lenses can be very heavy.
c) large lenses are more difficult to make.
d) mirrors can be computer controlled to
improve resolution.
e) reflecting telescopes aren’t affected by
the atmosphere as much.
Reflecting instruments like
the KECK telescopes can
be made larger, and more
capable, than refractors.
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Question 2
Seeing in
astronomy is a
measurement
of
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a) the quality of the telescope’s optics.
b) the transparency of a telescope’s lens.
c) the sharpness of vision of your eyes.
d) the image quality due to air stability.
e) the sky’s clarity & absence of clouds.
Question 2
Seeing in
astronomy is a
measurement
of
a) the quality of the telescope’s optics.
b) the transparency of a telescope’s lens.
c) the sharpness of vision of your eyes.
d) the image quality due to air stability.
e) the sky’s clarity & absence of clouds.
Smeared overall image of star
“Good Seeing” occurs when the
atmosphere is clear and the air is still.
Turbulent air produces “poor seeing,”
and fuzzier images.
Point images of a star
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Question 3
Diffraction is the
tendency of light
to
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a) bend around corners and edges.
b) separate into its component colors.
c) bend through a lens.
d) disperse within a prism.
e) reflect off a mirror.
Question 3
Diffraction is the
tendency of light
to
a) bend around corners and edges.
b) separate into its component colors.
c) bend through a lens.
d) disperse within a prism.
e) reflect off a mirror.
Diffraction affects all
telescopes and limits the
sharpness of all images.
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Question 4
Resolution is
improved by
using
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a) larger telescopes & longer wavelengths.
b) infrared light.
c) larger telescopes & shorter wavelengths.
d) lower frequency light.
e) visible light.
Question 4
Resolution is
improved by
using
a) larger telescopes & longer wavelengths.
b) infrared light.
c) larger telescopes & shorter wavelengths.
d) lower frequency light.
e) visible light.
Diffraction limits resolution; larger telescopes and
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Education, Inc.
light produces sharper images.
Question 5
An advantage of
CCDs over
photographic
film is
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a) they don’t require chemical development.
b) digital data is easily stored & transmitted.
c) CCDs are more light sensitive than film.
d) CCD images can be developed faster.
e) All of the above are true.
Question 5
An advantage of
CCDs over
photographic
film is
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a) they don’t require chemical development.
b) digital data is easily stored & transmitted.
c) CCDs are more light sensitive than film.
d) CCD images can be developed faster.
e) All of the above are true.
Question 6
Radio
dishes are
large in
order to
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a) improve angular resolution.
b) give greater magnification.
c) increase the range of waves they can collect.
d) detect shorter waves than optical telescopes
for superior resolution.
Question 6
Radio
dishes are
large in
order to
a) improve angular resolution.
b) give greater magnification.
c) increase the range of waves they can collect.
d) detect shorter waves than optical telescopes
for superior resolution.
Resolution is worse with
long-wave light, so radio
telescopes must be large
to compensate.
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Question 7
Adaptive optics
refers to
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a) making telescopes larger or smaller.
b) reducing atmospheric blurring using
computer control.
c) collecting different kinds of light
with one type of telescope.
d) using multiple linked telescopes.
Question 7
Adaptive optics
refers to
a) making telescopes larger or smaller.
b) reducing atmospheric blurring using
computer control.
c) collecting different kinds of light
with one type of telescope.
d) using multiple linked telescopes.
Shaping a mirror in “real time” can dramatically improve resolution.
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Question 8
Radio telescopes
are useful because
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a) observations can be made day & night.
b) we can see objects that don’t emit
visible light.
c) radio waves are not blocked by
interstellar dust.
d) they can be linked to form
interferometers.
e) All of the above are true.
Question 8
Radio telescopes
are useful because
a) observations can be made day & night.
b) we can see objects that don’t emit
visible light.
c) radio waves are not blocked by
interstellar dust.
d) they can be linked to form
interferometers.
e) All of the above are true.
The Very Large Array
links separate radio
telescopes to create
much better resolution.
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Question 9
Infrared telescopes
are very useful for
observing
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a) pulsars & black holes.
b) from locations on the ground.
c) hot stars & intergalactic gas.
d) neutron stars.
e) cool stars & star-forming regions.
Question 9
Infrared telescopes
are very useful for
observing
a) pulsars & black holes.
b) from locations on the ground.
c) hot stars & intergalactic gas.
d) neutron stars.
e) cool stars & star-forming regions.
Infrared images of star-forming
“nurseries” can reveal objects
still shrouded in cocoons of
gas and dust.
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Question 10
The Hubble Space
Telescope (HST) offers
sharper images than
ground telescopes
primarily because
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a) HST is closer to planets & stars.
b) HST uses a larger primary mirror.
c) it gathers X-ray light.
d) HST orbits above the atmosphere.
e) it stays on the nighttime side of
Earth.
Question 10
The Hubble Space
Telescope (HST) offers
sharper images than
ground telescopes
primarily because
a) HST is closer to planets & stars.
b) HST uses a larger primary mirror.
c) it gathers X-ray light.
d) HST orbits above the atmosphere.
e) it stays on the nighttime side of
Earth.
HST orbits less than 400 miles
above Earth – not much closer
to stars & planets!
But it can gather UV, visible,
and IR light, unaffected by
Earth’s atmosphere.
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Question 1
Which of the
following are
terrestrial planets?
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a)
b)
c)
d)
only Earth
Earth, Moon, and Venus
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars,
and Pluto
e) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars,
and Ceres
Question 1
Which of the
following are
terrestrial planets?
a)
b)
c)
d)
only Earth
Earth, Moon, and Venus
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars,
and Pluto
e) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon, Mars,
and Ceres
Terrestrial planets are
“Earth-like.”
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Question 2
The major difference(s)
between the terrestrial
and jovian planets
involve(s)
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a) mass.
b) density.
c) rotation speed.
d) density and rotation speed.
e) mass and density.
Question 2
The major difference(s)
between the terrestrial
and jovian planets
involve(s)
a) mass.
b) density.
c) rotation speed.
d) density and rotation speed.
e) mass and density.
Jovian planets are
more massive, but
less dense, than
terrestrial planets.
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Question 3
Which of the following
defines density?
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a) mass times surface gravity
b) mass divided by volume
c) size divided by weight
d) mass times surface area
e) weight divided by size
Question 3
a) mass times surface gravity
b) mass divided by volume
c) size divided by weight
d) mass times surface area
e) weight divided by size
Which of the following
defines density?
Density can be thought of as
MATTER
SPACE
Lots of matter in a small space = HIGH density.
Little matter in a large space = LOW density.
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Question 4
The angular
diameter of
an object
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a) increases if the object is farther away.
b) decreases if the object is farther away.
c) is measured in light-years.
d) determines its parallax.
e) depends on its location in the sky.
Question 4
The angular
diameter of
an object
a) increases if the object is farther away.
b) decreases if the object is farther away.
c) is measured in light-years.
d) determines its parallax.
e) depends on its location in the sky.
Angular diameter
depends directly on
size and inversely on
distance.
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Question 5
Compared with terrestrial
planets, jovian planets share
all of the following
characteristics EXCEPT
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a) low density.
b) large size.
c) many moons.
d) ring systems.
e) slower rotation.
Question 5
Compared with terrestrial
planets, jovian planets share
all of the following
characteristics EXCEPT
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a) low density.
b) large size.
c) many moons.
d) ring systems.
e) slower rotation.
Question 6
Pluto seems to be
more similar to
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a) the terrestrial planets.
b) the jovian planets.
c) asteroids.
d) the moons of jovian planets.
e) the moons of terrestrial planets.
Question 6
Pluto seems to be
more similar to
a) the terrestrial planets.
b) the jovian planets.
c) asteroids.
d) the moons of jovian planets.
e) the moons of terrestrial planets.
Pluto is perhaps best
categorized as a
Kuiper belt object
rather than a planet.
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Question 7
Most asteroids
are found
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a) beyond the orbit of Neptune.
b) between Earth and the Sun.
c) between Mars and Jupiter.
d) in the orbit of Jupiter, but 60 degrees
ahead or behind it.
e) orbiting the jovian planets in captured,
retrograde orbits.
Question 7
Most asteroids
are found
a) beyond the orbit of Neptune.
b) between Earth and the Sun.
c) between Mars and Jupiter.
d) in the orbit of Jupiter, but 60 degrees
ahead or behind it.
e) orbiting the jovian planets in captured,
retrograde orbits.
The Asteroid Belt is
located between
2.1 and 3.3 A U
from the Sun.
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Question 8
The asteroid belt
is evidence of
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a) a planet that once orbited the Sun
but later was destroyed.
b) ancient material from the
formation of the solar system.
c) a collision between Jupiter and
one of its larger moons.
d) comets that were trapped by
Jupiter’s gravitational field.
Question 8
The asteroid belt
is evidence of
a) a planet that once orbited the Sun
but later was destroyed.
b) ancient material from the
formation of the solar system.
c) a collision between Jupiter and
one of its larger moons.
d) comets that were trapped by
Jupiter’s gravitational field.
Asteroids, meteoroids, and comets
may have not changed at all since
the solar system formed.
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Question 9
Compared to
asteroids, comets
show all of these
properties EXCEPT
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a)
b)
c)
d)
their densities are higher.
their orbits tend to be more elliptical.
they tend to be made of ice.
they can look fuzzy, whereas asteroids
appear as moving points of light.
e) their average distances from the Sun
are far greater.
Question 9
Compared to
asteroids, comets
show all of these
properties EXCEPT
a)
b)
c)
d)
their densities are higher.
their orbits tend to be more elliptical.
they tend to be made of ice.
they can look fuzzy, whereas asteroids
appear as moving points of light.
e) their average distances from the Sun
are far greater.
Comets have densities
much lower than asteroids
or planets.
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Question 10
What causes
a meteor
shower?
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a) A comet and an asteroid collide.
b) Earth runs into a stray swarm of asteroids.
c) Earth runs into the debris of an old comet
littering its orbit.
d) Meteorites are ejected from the Moon.
e) Debris from a supernova enters Earth’s
atmosphere
Question 10
What causes
a meteor
shower?
a) A comet and an asteroid collide.
b) Earth runs into a stray swarm of asteroids.
c) Earth runs into the debris of an old comet
littering its orbit.
d) Meteorites are ejected from the Moon.
e) Debris from a supernova enters Earth’s
atmosphere
Meteor showers
can generate a
few shooting
stars, to hundreds
of thousands,
seen in an hour.
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Question 11
Any theory of the
origin of the solar
system must
explain all of
these EXCEPT
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a) the orbits of the planets are nearly
circular, and in the same plane.
b) the direction that planets orbit the Sun
is opposite to the Sun’s spin.
c) the terrestrial planets have higher
density and lower mass.
d) comets do not necessarily orbit in the
plane of the solar system.
Question 11
Any theory of the
origin of the solar
system must
explain all of
these EXCEPT
a) the orbits of the planets are nearly
circular, and in the same plane.
b) the direction that planets orbit the Sun
is opposite to the Sun’s spin.
c) the terrestrial planets have higher
density and lower mass.
d) comets do not necessarily orbit in the
plane of the solar system.
The planets do orbit in the same direction that the Sun spins.
Most also spin in that direction, and most also have large moons
that orbit in that direction.
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Question 12
The condensation
sequence theory
explains why
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a) our planet Earth has water and rain.
b) stars are more likely to form large
planets orbiting very near.
c) terrestrial planets are different from
jovian planets.
d) the Moon formed near the Earth.
e) Pluto has such a circular orbit.
Question 12
The condensation
sequence theory
explains why
a) our planet Earth has water and rain.
b) stars are more likely to form large
planets orbiting very near.
c) terrestrial planets are different from
jovian planets.
d) the Moon formed near to Earth.
e) Pluto has such a circular orbit.
The condensation sequence theory explains how the
temperature of the early solar nebula controls which materials
are solid, and which are gaseous.
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Question 1
The Moon’s internal
structure is similar
to Earth’s, but the
Moon lacks
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a) an atmosphere.
b) a hydrosphere.
c) a magnetosphere.
d) It lacks all of the above.
Question 1
The Moon’s internal
structure is similar
to Earth’s, but the
Moon lacks
a) an atmosphere.
b) a hydrosphere.
c) a magnetosphere.
d) It lacks all of the above.
Both the Earth and Moon have a core, mantle, and crust, but the
has
a liquid
water-rich layer, air, and a magnetic field.
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Education,
Inc.
Question 2
The principal
greenhouse gases
in our present
atmosphere are
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a) hydrogen and helium.
b) oxygen and nitrogen.
c) water vapor and carbon dioxide.
d) methane and ammonia.
e) sulfuric acid vapor and CO2.
Question 2
The principal
greenhouse gases
in our present
atmosphere are
a) hydrogen and helium.
b) oxygen and nitrogen.
c) water vapor and carbon dioxide.
d) methane and ammonia.
e) sulfuric acid vapor and CO2.
A greenhouse gas lets shorterwavelength light pass through, but
absorbs longer-wavelength light.
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Question 3
Without the
greenhouse effect
in our atmosphere
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a) we would not have to worry about
ecological problems.
b) the Earth’s oceans would be frozen.
c) the amount of nitrogen & oxygen
would be much less.
d) the icecaps would have melted.
e) global warming would still occur.
Question 3
Without the
greenhouse effect
in our atmosphere
a) we would not have to worry about
ecological problems.
b) the Earth’s oceans would be frozen.
c) the amount of nitrogen & oxygen
would be much less.
d) the icecaps would have melted.
e) global warming would still occur.
Earth’s greenhouse effect makes the planet
about 40° C hotter than it would otherwise be.
This raises the average surface temperature
above the freezing point of water.
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Question 4
The region around
Earth where the
magnetic field traps
charged particles is the
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a) ozone layer.
b) exosphere.
c) Van Allen radiation belts.
d) corona.
e) aurora borealis and australis.
Question 4
The region around
Earth where the
magnetic field traps
charged particles is the
a) ozone layer.
b) exosphere.
c) Van Allen radiation belts.
d) corona.
e) aurora borealis and australis.
The Earth’s magnetosphere
influences the charged
particles of the solar wind.
Some particles are
channeled toward the poles,
creating the aurora.
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Question 5
At what lunar phase
would the variation
between high & low
tides be greatest?
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a) new moon
b) waxing crescent moon
c) full moon
d) third quarter moon
e) both new and full moon
Question 5
At what lunar phase
would the variation
between high & low
tides be greatest?
a) new moon
b) waxing crescent moon
c) full moon
d) third quarter moon
e) both new and full moon
At new and full moon
phases, the Sun and Moon
combine to stretch the Earth
and its oceans even more.
We see higher high tides
and lower low tides.
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Question 6
What force riveted
the Moon’s near
side to constantly
face Earth?
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a) the Sun’s gravity
b) Earth’s magnetic field
c) Earth’s tidal force
d) the solar wind
e) the Moon’s magnetic field
Question 6
What force rivets
the Moon’s near
side to constantly
face Earth?
a) the Sun’s gravity
b) Earth’s magnetic field
c) Earth’s tidal force
d) the solar wind
e) the Moon’s magnetic field
Just as the Moon creates tides
on Earth with its gravitational
force, the Earth affects the
Moon, too.
Because of Earth’s tidal force,
the Moon spins once a month.
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Question 7
Lunar maria are
found
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a) uniformly all over the Moon.
b) mostly on the side facing Earth.
c) mostly on the far side of the Moon.
d) only in the dark areas, out of sunlight.
e) in the highlands, among mountains.
Question 7
Lunar maria are
found
a) uniformly all over the Moon.
b) mostly on the side facing Earth.
c) mostly on the far side of the Moon.
d) only in the dark areas, out of sunlight.
e) in the highlands, among mountains.
Because the Moon keeps its near
side always facing Earth, that side
has a thinner crust, and is also less
cratered.
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Question 8
A planetary
atmosphere with
ozone could
protect surface
dwellers from
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a) ultraviolet radiation.
b) charged particles in the solar wind.
c) meteor impacts.
d) optical radiation.
e) radar waves.
Question 8
A planetary
atmosphere with
ozone could
protect surface
dwellers from
a) ultraviolet radiation.
b) charged particles in the solar wind.
c) meteor impacts.
d) optical radiation.
e) radar waves.
Ozone in the stratosphere
(about 30-50 km high)
absorbs UV light, and heats
the upper atmosphere.
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Question 9
Which of these is
NOT a result of
the Earth’s
magnetic field?
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a) a compass pointing north
b) aurorae
c) the Van Allen radiation belts
d) volcanic eruptions
e) the comet-like tail of charged
particles that extends past our Moon
Question 9
Which of these is
NOT a result of
the Earth’s
magnetic field?
a) a compass pointing north
b) aurorae
c) the Van Allen radiation belts
d) volcanic eruptions
e) the comet-like tail of charged
particles that extends past our Moon
Our planet’s
magnetosphere is
generated by the
Earth’s rotation and
its liquid metal core.
In contrast, the Moon
doesn’t have a
magnetic field.
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Question 10
Today, which of these
theories best explains
the Moon’s origin?
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a) The fission theory
b) The giant impact theory
c) The capture theory
d) The co-formation theory
e) The fusion theory
Question 10
Today, which of these
theories best explains
the Moon’s origin?
a) The fission theory
b) The giant impact theory
c) The capture theory
d) The co-formation theory
e) The fusion theory
The giant impact theory seems to explain why the Moon is
similar to Earth’s mantle, and why it doesn’t have a dense core.
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Question 1
Mercury’s surface
most resembles which
of these?
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a) the Moon’s far side
b) Venus’ polar regions
c) Earth’s deserts
d) the Moon’s near side
e) Mars’ deserts
Question 1
Mercury’s surface
most resembles which
of these?
a) the Moon’s far side
b) Venus’ polar regions
c) Earth’s deserts
d) the Moon’s near side
e) Mars’ deserts
Both Mercury and the
Moon’s far side are
heavily cratered.
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Question 2
Mercury is very
hard to observe
from Earth
because
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a) it always appears only half lit.
b) it is never more than 28° from the
Sun.
c) its elliptical orbit causes it to change
speed unpredictably.
d) its surface reflects too little sunlight.
e) its surface does not allow radar to
bounce back to Earth.
Question 2
Mercury is very
hard to observe
from Earth
because
a) it always appears only half lit.
b) it is never more than 28° from the
Sun.
c) its elliptical orbit causes it to change
speed unpredictably.
d) its surface reflects too little sunlight.
e) its surface does not allow radar to
bounce back to Earth.
Mercury’s inner orbit
keeps it close to the
Sun, visible only for
an hour or two
before sunrise or
after sunset.
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Question 3
How do the
atmospheres of
the Moon and
Mercury
compare?
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a) Mercury’s is more dense, with carbon dioxide.
b) They are similar, only 1% as dense as ours.
c) The cooler Moon retains a thicker nitrogen
atmosphere.
d) As no spacecraft has yet landed there, no
information exists about Mercury’s.
e) Neither body has a permanent atmosphere.
Question 3
How do the
atmospheres of
the Moon and
Mercury
compare?
a) Mercury’s is more dense, with carbon dioxide.
b) They are similar, only 1% as dense as ours.
c) The cooler Moon retains a thicker nitrogen
atmosphere.
d) As no spacecraft has yet landed there, no
information exists about Mercury’s.
e) Neither body has a permanent atmosphere.
The lack of an
atmosphere acting as
a protective layer
contributes to their
extremely cratered
surfaces.
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Question 4
Mercury has
extreme high and
low temperatures
between night and
day because
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a) it is so close to the Sun.
b) its surface rocks don’t retain heat.
c) it spins too fast to cool down.
d) Mercury’s axis has no tilt; its
equator receives direct sunlight.
e) it has no atmosphere to moderate
temperatures over the globe.
Question 4
Mercury has
extreme high and
low temperatures
between night and
day because
a) it is so close to the Sun.
b) its surface rocks don’t retain heat.
c) it spins too fast to cool down.
d) Mercury’s axis has no tilt; its
equator receives direct sunlight.
e) it has no atmosphere to moderate
temperatures over the globe.
Mercury’s very high sunlit
surface temperature of 700 K,
and low mass, explain why it
has no atmosphere.
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Question 5
Which statement
about the
rotations of
Mercury & the
Moon is FALSE?
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a) Our Moon keeps the same side toward us.
b) Mercury keeps the same side sunward at
perihelion.
c) Like our Moon, Mercury does not rotate at
all, keeping the same side facing the Sun.
d) On Mercury, three “days” equals two
“years.”
e) On the Moon, each “day” lasts about 15
Earth days of constant sunlight.
Question 5
Which statement
about the
rotations of
Mercury & the
Moon is FALSE?
a) Our Moon keeps the same side toward us.
b) Mercury keeps the same side sunward at
perihelion.
c) Like our Moon, Mercury does not rotate at
all, keeping the same side facing the Sun.
d) On Mercury, three “days” equals two
“years.”
e) On the Moon, each “day” lasts about 15
Earth days of constant sunlight.
Both Mercury and the
Moon rotate slowly, and
show a “spin-lock” created
by tidal forces from nearby
large objects.
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Question 6
Which of the following
inner solar system
bodies has the
densest atmosphere?
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a) Mercury
b) Venus
c) Earth
d) Moon
e) Mars
Question 6
Which of the following
inner solar system
bodies has the
densest atmosphere?
a) Mercury
b) Venus
c) Earth
d) Moon
e) Mars
Venus’ atmosphere has a pressure
about 90 times larger than Earth’s.
Many of its surface features are
affected by this immense pressure.
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Question 7
The greenhouse
effect on Venus is due
to ______ in its
atmosphere.
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a) nitrogen
b) hydrogen
c) carbon dioxide
d) oxygen
e) sulfuric acid
Question 7
The greenhouse
effect on Venus is due
to ______ in its
atmosphere.
a) nitrogen
b) hydrogen
c) carbon dioxide
d) oxygen
e) sulfuric acid
Venus’ atmosphere is over 96% CO2,
resulting in a surface temperature
exceeding 900 °F.
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Question 8
Venus’ surface
shows all of the
following EXCEPT
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a) many impact craters of all sizes.
b) shield volcanoes.
c) a continent-sized plateau.
d) huge circular volcanic coronae.
e) lava domes.
Question 8
Venus’ surface
shows all of the
following EXCEPT
a) many impact craters of all sizes.
b) shield volcanoes.
c) a continent-sized plateau.
d) huge circular volcanic coronae.
e) lava domes.
Venus’ thick atmosphere
shields the planet from
smaller meteor impacts.
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Question 9
What effect does the
greenhouse effect
have on the surface
environment of
Venus?
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a) little or no effect
b) about the same as on Earth
c) to reduce the surface temperature by
about 30° Celsius
d) to raise the surface temperature by
hundreds of degrees Celsius
e) to cause the surface temperature of
Venus to become hotter than Jupiter
Question 9
What effect does the
greenhouse effect
have on the surface
environment of
Venus?
a) little or no effect
b) about the same as on Earth
c) to reduce the surface temperature by
about 30° Celsius
d) to raise the surface temperature by
hundreds of degrees Celsius
e) to cause the surface temperature of
Venus to become hotter than Jupiter
Even though Venus is farther from the
Sun than Mercury, it actually has a
higher surface temperature because of
the greenhouse effect.
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Question 10
Which of the following
inner solar system
bodies has the largest
volcanoes?
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a) Mercury
b) Venus
c) Earth
d) Mars
e) Moon
Question 10
Which of the following
inner solar system
bodies has the largest
volcanoes?
a) Mercury
b) Venus
c) Earth
d) Mars
e) Moon
Mars’ largest volcano, Olympus
Mons, rises more than 25 km
(75,000 ft) above the surrounding
plains.
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Question 11
Venus and Mars
probably evolved
differently from
Earth because
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a) they are slightly bigger than Earth.
b) they are more massive than Earth.
c) they have thicker atmospheres than Earth.
d) they formed sooner than Earth.
e) they orbit at different distances from the Sun.
Question 11
Venus and Mars
probably evolved
differently from
Earth because
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a) they are slightly bigger than Earth.
b) they are more massive than Earth.
c) they have thicker atmospheres than Earth.
d) they formed sooner than Earth.
e) they orbit at different distances from the Sun.
Question 12
The weakness
of the magnetic
field of Mars is
because
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a) it spins much slower than Earth does.
b) its core may no longer be molten.
c) its core contains less iron than our Earth.
d) Both 2 and 3 are probable.
e) All of the above are correct.
Question 12
The weakness
of the magnetic
field of Mars is
because
a) it spins much slower than Earth does.
b) its core may no longer be molten.
c) its core contains less iron than our Earth.
d) Both 2 and 3 are probable.
e) All of the above are correct.
Mars is smaller,
and would have
cooled more
quickly.
Earth
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Mars
Question 1
Both Jupiter
and Saturn
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
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have liquid metallic hydrogen in their interiors.
have rings.
emit more energy than they absorb from the Sun.
rotate very rapidly.
All of the above.
Question 1
Both Jupiter
and Saturn
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
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have liquid metallic hydrogen in their interiors.
have rings.
emit more energy than they absorb from the Sun.
rotate very rapidly.
All of the above.
Question 2
Jovian planets
share all of the
following traits
EXCEPT
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a) a low-density gaseous core.
b) large magnetic fields.
c) lots of hydrogen & helium gas.
d) many moons.
e) differential rotation.
Question 2
Jovian planets
share all of the
following traits
EXCEPT
a) a low-density gaseous core.
b) large magnetic fields.
c) lots of hydrogen & helium gas.
d) many moons.
e) differential rotation.
All of the jovian planets have dense,
compact cores more massive than
Earth, surrounded by liquid and
gaseous layers.
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Question 3
Jupiter and the
other jovian
planets are
noticeably oblate
because they have
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a) very strong magnetic fields.
b) powerful gravity pulling on the poles.
c) rapid rotation and a fluid interior.
d) many moons that tidally distort their
shapes.
e) All of the above.
Question 3
Jupiter and the
other jovian
planets are
noticeably oblate
because they have
a) very strong magnetic fields.
b) powerful gravity pulling on the poles.
c) rapid rotation and a fluid interior.
d) many moons that tidally distort their
shapes.
e) All of the above.
All of the jovian planets are larger
than Earth, all spin faster, all have
lower density, and all show a
flattened, “oblate” shape.
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Question 4
What is the probable
source of the
variations in Jupiter’s
belts and zones?
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a) convection of ammonia ice upward
b) differential rotation and underlying
zonal flow
c) oblateness due to low density
d) thermonuclear fusion
e) Jupiter’s huge magnetosphere
Question 4
What is the probable
source of the
variations in Jupiter’s
belts and zones?
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a) convection of ammonia ice upward
b) differential rotation and underlying
zonal flow
c) oblateness due to low density
d) thermonuclear fusion
e) Jupiter’s huge magnetosphere
Question 5
What is the
source of
Jupiter’s large
magnetic
field?
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a) charged particles moving in the atmosphere
b) thermonuclear fusion in Jupiter’s core
c) the gravitational attraction of Jupiter’s many
large moons
d) the Great Red Spot
e) metallic hydrogen swirling in its interior
Question 5
What is the
source of
Jupiter’s large
magnetic
field?
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a) charged particles moving in the atmosphere
b) thermonuclear fusion in Jupiter’s core
c) the gravitational attraction of Jupiter’s many
large moons
d) the Great Red Spot
e) metallic hydrogen swirling in its interior
Question 6
Saturn
radiates even
more excess
energy than
Jupiter
because
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a) Saturn is still radiating heat left over from
its formation.
b) Saturn’s thick cloud layer contributes to a
larger greenhouse effect.
c) helium rain gives off heat as it falls toward
Saturn’s center.
d) Saturn’s atmosphere contains methane.
e) Saturn can fuse hydrogen into helium in its
core, like the Sun.
Question 6
Saturn
radiates even
more excess
energy than
Jupiter
because
a) Saturn is still radiating heat left over from
its formation.
b) Saturn’s thick cloud layer contributes to a
larger greenhouse effect.
c) helium rain gives off heat as it falls toward
Saturn’s center.
d) Saturn’s atmosphere contains methane.
e) Saturn can fuse hydrogen into helium in its
core, like the Sun.
Jupiter and Neptune also
radiate excess heat, most
likely left over from their
formation.
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Question 7
The two outer
jovian planets
appear bluish in
color because
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a) gaseous ammonia in their
atmospheres absorbs blue light.
b) methane absorbs red light.
c) cold hydrogen reflects blue light.
d) dust in their atmospheres scatters
blue light, similar to Earth.
Question 7
The two outer
jovian planets
appear bluish in
color because
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a) gaseous ammonia in their
atmospheres absorbs blue light.
b) methane absorbs red light.
c) cold hydrogen reflects blue light.
d) dust in their atmospheres scatters
blue light, similar to Earth.
Question 8
Which of these
is TRUE about
the seasons on
Uranus?
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a) Its strange tilt produces extreme
seasonal variations.
b) With its tilt of 29°, Uranus has four
seasons similar to those on Earth.
c) It never shows any weather in its bland
clouds.
d) It spins so fast all seasons are the same.
Question 8
Which of these
is TRUE about
the seasons on
Uranus?
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a) Its strange tilt produces extreme
seasonal variations.
b) With its tilt of 29°, Uranus has four
seasons similar to those on Earth.
c) It never shows any weather in its bland
clouds.
d) It spins so fast all seasons are the same.
Question 9
The magnetic fields of
which two planets are
most unusual?
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a) Jupiter and Neptune
b) Jupiter and Saturn
c) Jupiter and Earth
d) Saturn and Earth
e) Uranus and Neptune
Question 9
The magnetic fields of
which two planets are
most unusual?
a) Jupiter and Neptune
b) Jupiter and Saturn
c) Jupiter and Earth
d) Saturn and Earth
e) Uranus and Neptune
Both Uranus and Neptune have fields that are off-center, and
very inclined to their rotation axes.
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Question 1
As their distance from
Jupiter increases, the
four Galilean satellites
show a consistent
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a) increase in density.
b) increase in size.
c) decrease in cratering.
d) decrease in density.
e) amount of cratering.
Question 1
As their distance from
Jupiter increases, the
four Galilean satellites
show a consistent
a) increase in density.
b) increase in size.
c) decrease in cratering.
d) decrease in density.
e) amount of cratering.
Like a miniature version of our solar
system, Jupiter’s four large moons
show a decrease in density as distance
increases. Io is most dense of the four;
Callisto is least dense.
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Question 2
The surface of which
jovian moon most
resembles the pack ice of
the Arctic Ocean?
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a) Europa
b) Io
c) Amalthea
d) Ganymede
e) Callisto
Question 2
The surface of which
jovian moon most
resembles the pack ice of
the Arctic Ocean?
a) Europa
b) Io
c) Amalthea
d) Ganymede
e) Callisto
Ice-filled
surface
cracks
indicate an
ocean may
lie below.
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Question 3
What is thought
to cause Io’s
volcanism?
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a) Jupiter’s magnetosphere
b) Jupiter’s rapid rotation
c) tidal stress from Jupiter and Europa
d) radioactive decay from its core
e) Io’s large mass and tectonic activity
Question 3
What is thought
to cause Io’s
volcanism?
a) Jupiter’s magnetosphere
b) Jupiter’s rapid rotation
c) tidal stress from Jupiter and Europa
d) radioactive decay from its core
e) Io’s large mass and tectonic activity
Io is constantly
“squeezed” by its huge
neighbor as well as by
companion moons,
heating its interior.
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Question 4
How was the
ring of Jupiter
discovered?
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a) by optical telescopic observers from Earth
b) by Voyager I as it passed Jupiter
c) by an occultation of a star
d) by radar imaging using the Arecibo dish
e) with the Hubble Space Telescope’s superior
resolution
Question 4
How was the
ring of Jupiter
discovered?
a) by optical telescopic observers from Earth
b) by Voyager I as it passed Jupiter
c) by an occultation of a star
d) by radar imaging using the Arecibo dish
e) with the Hubble Space Telescope’s superior
resolution
Jupiter’s ring is
composed of dark, dusty
particles that were first
seen when Voyager was
past the planet, looking
back toward the Sun.
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Question 5
The Roche
limit is defined
as the critical
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a) distance from a planet, inside of which a
moon can be tidally destroyed.
b) density that a moon can have and be solid.
c) distance from a planet that a moon can
experience synchronous rotation.
d) mass a moon can have and still be
classified as a moon.
Question 5
The Roche
limit is defined
as the critical
a) distance from a planet, inside of which a
moon can be tidally destroyed.
b) density that a moon can have and be solid.
c) distance from a planet that a moon can
experience synchronous rotation.
d) mass a moon can have and still be
classified as a moon.
Saturn’s rings, as well as those
of the other jovian planets, lie
within its planet’s Roche limit.
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Question 6
Shepherd
satellites are
defined as
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a) satellites in the coma of a comet.
b) moons that confine a narrow ring.
c) a type of moon that orbits another moon.
d) moons that share an orbit of another,
larger moon.
e) moons that orbit inside a system of rings.
Question 6
Shepherd
satellites are
defined as
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a) satellites in the coma of a comet.
b) moons that confine a narrow ring.
c) a type of moon that orbits another moon.
d) moons that share an orbit of another,
larger moon.
e) moons that orbit inside a system of rings.
Question 7
Why are the
rings of Saturn
so bright?
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a) They are made of frozen metallic hydrogen.
b) They contain glassy beads expelled by
volcanoes on Enceladus.
c) They contain shiny bits of iron.
d) Titan and other moons reflect additional
glow onto the rings.
e) They are made of relatively new ice.
Question 7
Why are the
rings of Saturn
so bright?
a) They are made of frozen metallic hydrogen.
b) They contain glassy beads expelled by
volcanoes on Enceladus.
c) They contain shiny bits of iron.
d) Titan and other moons reflect an additional
glow onto the rings.
e) They are made of relatively new ice.
Saturn’s rings are perhaps
only 50 million years old,
the result of a small moon
coming within the planet’s
Roche limit.
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Question 8
Which moon in the
solar system shows a
dense atmosphere?
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a) our Moon
b) Phobos
c) Europa
d) Titan
e) Triton
Question 8
Which moon in the
solar system shows a
dense atmosphere?
a) our Moon
b) Phobos
c) Europa
d) Titan
e) Triton
The Huygens probe, deployed by
the Cassini spacecraft in 2005,
showed that Titan’s atmosphere
has a complex organic chemistry.
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Question 9
Which of the Uranian moons
displays the widest range of
surface terrains, suggesting
some catastrophic disruption?
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a) Puck
b) Umbriel
c) Oberon
d) Miranda
e) Ariel
Question 9
Which of the Uranian moons
displays the widest range of
surface terrains, suggesting
some catastrophic disruption?
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a) Puck
b) Umbriel
c) Oberon
d) Miranda
e) Ariel
Question 10
The rings of
Neptune
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a) were confirmed by Voyager 2 in 1989.
b) appear both narrow and diffuse.
c) all lie within Neptune’s Roche limit.
d) often appear as clumpy ring arcs, rather than
complete and symmetrical rings.
e) All of these are correct.
Question 10
The rings of
Neptune
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a) were confirmed by Voyager 2 in 1989.
b) appear both narrow and diffuse.
c) all lie within Neptune’s Roche limit.
d) often appear as clumpy ring arcs, rather than
complete and symmetrical rings.
e) All of these are correct.
Question 11
Neptune’s moon
Triton shows
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a) a thick atmosphere similar to Titan.
b) volcanic features similar to those on Io.
c) cratering similar to that of Callisto.
d) large cliffs similar to Miranda.
e) All of the above are correct.
Question 11
Neptune’s moon
Triton shows
a) a thick atmosphere similar to Titan.
b) volcanic features similar to those on Io.
c) cratering similar to that of Callisto.
d) large cliffs similar to Miranda.
e) All of the above are correct.
Triton has a thin
atmosphere, active
geysers of nitrogen
gas, large fissures,
and frozen lakes of
water ice.
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Question 12
Many astronomers
believe Pluto is
perhaps best
classified as
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a) a cold terrestrial planet.
b) a small jovian planet.
c) a large Kuiper belt object.
d) a wandering moon.
e) a captured comet.
Question 12
Many astronomers
believe Pluto is
perhaps best
classified as
a) a cold terrestrial planet.
b) a small jovian planet.
c) a large Kuiper belt object.
d) a wandering moon.
e) a captured comet.
Several other large
Kuiper belt objects
have been discovered,
including the largest
known, called Eris.
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Question 13
Which of these
moons are most
exciting to
exobiologists?
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a) Io and Enceladus
b) Titan and Europa
c) Titan and Triton
d) Europa and Miranda
e) Phobos and Deimos
Question 13
Which of these
moons are most
exciting to
exobiologists?
a) Io and Enceladus
b) Titan and Europa
c) Titan and Triton
d) Europa and Miranda
e) Phobos and Deimos
Titan shows
evidence of
channels under
its dense
atmosphere.
Europa has indications of
liquid water beneath the ice.
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