Big Nick's Extra Questions Flashcards
What are the 4 Stages of Earth’s Evolution?
Differentiation, bombardment, cooling, surface evolution.
Where does the Heat in the Earth’s Crust come from?
Radioactive decay of isotopes in the mantle and crust.
What are the 2 Types of Rock on the Moon?
Anorthosite and basalt.
How was the Moon Formed?
From debris after something collided with Earth.
What is Inferior Conjunction?
2 planets in line on same side of Sun.
What is Superior Conjunction?
In line with Earth on opposite side of the Sun.
What is Conjunction in General?
Same ecliptic longitude.
What is Opposition?
Two celestial bodies on opposite sides of the sky.
Describe Mercury’s Surface.
Heavily cratered, ancient lava flows.
Describe Venus’ Surface.
Fresh, few craters, dense atmosphere, volcanoes?
Describe Mars’ Surface.
1% of Earth’s atmosphere, giant volcanoes, few craters.
What is an Astronomical Unit?
Mean distance from the centre of Earth to the centre of the Sun.
Describe the Atmosphere of Jupiter.
Very thick - made of hydrogen and helium gas.
Why is Io so Volcanic?
Opposing gravitational pulls (Jupiter and Galilean moons) heats up surface.
What is the Evidence for Oceans on Europa?
Surface is cracked and appears to move freely.
Describe Titan’s Atmosphere.
94% hydrogen (similar to Earth), also has an ocean - discovered by Cassini spacecraft.
Describe the Compositions of Uranus and Neptune.
Iron, rock, hydrogen compounds.
What is the Core Accretion Model?
Rocky core forms through the coagulation of planetismals until it is massive enough to accrete a gaseous envelope.
Why is there an Asteroid Belt?
10th planet couldn’t form as Jupiter’s gravity was too strong.
How are Comet Tails Formed?
Sun pressures coma (comet’s atmosphere) to form tail away from the Sun.
What do Comet’s Contain?
Materials from the formation of the Solar System.
Which aspect of Planetary Discovery does NZ Contribute to?
Micro-lensing.
