lecture 3

Question 1

magnetic field

Answer 1

generated by convective flow of conducting liquid iron in outer core organizes into columns by earths rotation

Question 2

magnetosphere

Answer 2

region of space surrounding earth where the earths magnetic field lines extend

Question 3

solar wind

Answer 3

energetic stream of charged particles that flow out from the sun across the solar system at high speeds

Question 4

how long does the solar wind take to reach the Earth

Answer 4

2-5 days, then the magnetosphere deflects most of it from impacting Earth

Question 5

the aurora

Answer 5

disturbances to the geomagnetic field from wind induces electric currents in ionosphere
- especially at high latitudes

Question 6

why does Mars lack an atmosphere

Answer 6

it doesnt have a strong magnetic field so the solar winds strip away its atmosphere

Question 7

coronal mass ejection

Answer 7

large release of energetic particles that occurs from time to time

Question 8

what was the carrington event

Answer 8

a huge CME and a powerful geomagnetic storm

- telegraph systems failed and offices were set on fire

Question 9

impact events

Answer 9

collisions of extraterrestrial asteroids, comets or their fragments with Earth

Question 10

asteroids

Answer 10

stony or mettalic bodies orbiting the sun

Question 11

where are asteroids found

Answer 11

mostly in the asteroid belt or the kuiper belt

Question 12

what are the largest asteroid belts

Answer 12

Ceres and Vesta

Question 13

comets

Answer 13

composed of rock, dust and ice

Question 14

where do comets originate

Answer 14

kuiper belt or Oort cloud

- orbit the sun in elipticals

Question 15

what makes a comet tail

Answer 15

the inner solar system radiation vaporizes in the comet and streams away

Question 16

meteor

Answer 16

asteroids, comets or meteorids enter the atmosphere

Question 17

meteorite

Answer 17

when a portion survives passes through atmosphere and impacts earth

Question 18

simple impact craters

Answer 18

smaller or slower impactors

- raised rims and bowl shaped central cavities

Question 19

complex impact craters

Answer 19

large fast impacts

- ring structures from graviational collapse of crater walls and central peaks from rebound of compressed crater floor

Question 20

iridium

Answer 20

marks the boundary of the Cretaceous and Tertiary impact craters

Question 21

chicxuklub crater

Answer 21

yucatan peninsula