Vocab
a large circular indentation on a planet’s
surface
crater
an event that occurs when Earth’s shadow
blocks the sun’s light from the moon
lunar eclipse
A solar calendar is easier to calculate than a lunar calendar.
False. A lunar calendar
is easier to calculate than a solar calendar
Which form of electromagnetic radiation is used to study a planet’s gases?
a radio
b infrared
c X-ray
d gamma
B
Who simplified and regularized Rome’s ancient calendar?
Julius Caesar
a flat, lowland plain on the moon’s surface
containing hardened lava
mare
the first layer of the sun’s atmosphere
chromosphere
One solution to overcome the atmospheric distortion that optical telescopes encounter is to place them on high mountains.
True
Which is the only moon known to have a significant atmosphere?
a Jupiter’s Ganymede
b Saturn’s Titan
c Neptune’s Triton
d none of the above
B
What conversion does the sun make during nuclear fusion to release a tremendous amount of energy?
hydrogen to helium
a meteoroid that enters Earth’s atmosphere and
strikes the ground
meteorite
the outer layer of the sun’s atmosphere
corona
A nonoptical telescope can detect the temperature and chemical composition of a
celestial object, but an optical telescope cannot detect either.
True
Which of the following is not a problem common to refracting telescopes?
a some light blocked by second mirror
b limited size of the objective lens
c atmospheric distortion of light
d chromatic aberratio
a
Describe Earth’s motions as it travels around the sun.
Earth rotates counterclockwise on its axis and revolves counterclockwise around the sun
a solar eclipse during which the outer ring of
the sun is visible around the moon
annular eclipse
During the equinox in September, the sun strikes the Tropic of Capricorn at a 90° angle.
False. Possible answers: During the equinox in September, the sun strikes the equator at a 90° angle; during the December solstice, the sun strikes the Tropic of Capricorn at a 90° angle.
The force of inertia explains why, according to Kepler’s second law of planetary motion, planets travel faster as they approach the sun.
False. The force of gravity explains why, according to Kepler’s second law of planetary motion, planets travel faster as they approach the sun.
Which step is not part of getting data from a space telescope to an archive facility?
a telescope sends data packets to a receiving station on Earth
b receiving station sends the data to a data processing center
c data processing center sends unusable data back to telescope for verification
d data processing center sends the usable data to an archive facilit
C
Why has liquid water not been found on Mars even though its surface temperature rises high enough for its ice to melt?
The atmospheric pressure on Mars is so low that water boils away almost as soon as it melts.
a rocky object a variety of sizes that orbits the sun
a rock fragment from an asteroid or comet
asteroid
meteoroid
The moon rotates faster than it revolves around Earth.
Copernicus developed the heliocentric view of the solar system before Ptolemy theorized that planets move in epicycles.
False. The moon rotates at the same speed it revolves around Earth.
False. Ptolemy theorized that planets move in epicycles before Copernicus developed the heliocentric view of the solar system.
The extensive periods of dark or light that prohibit plant growth on Venus and Mercury happen because the planets are so far from the sun.
The moon experiences six times more gravity than Earth because its volume is less than Earth’s.
False. Venus and Mercury’s slow periods of rotation cause extensive periods of dark or light that prohibit plant growth.
False. The moon’s gravity is about one-sixth that of Earth’s.
What did Sir William Herschel discover with a telescope?
a The universe is expanding.
b There are solar systems outside the Milky Way.
c What was once thought of as clouds of luminous fluid are really star systems.
d Pluto is a dwarf planet.
How are the outer planets alike?
a Each is larger than any of the inner planets.
b None have solid surfaces.
c The most common elements in each are hydrogen and helium.
d all of the above
C
D
Why do Earth’s Northern and Southern hemispheres experience changing seasons?
Earth’s rotation ensures that all places receive sunlight and warmth for at least part of the day. The poles are exceptions during the winter when the sun does not rise for several days. Earth’s 23.4° tilt causes the Northern and Southern Hemispheres to take turns receiving more direct sunlight and greater warmth