Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Astronomy > Mercury > Flashcards

Mercury Flashcards

1
Q

Mercury is named for Roman deity who was that?

A

The Messenger of gods

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Why is Mercury so hard to observe?

A

It’s so close to the Sun and can only be seen at certain times of the day.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Who are the features on Mercury named by?

A

Artists, writers, cultural figures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the surface feature that are cliffs formed when the planet cooled and shrank causing wrinkling?

A

Scarps

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Which planet has the most elliptical orbit?

A

Mercury (Hg)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why does Mercury not have an atmosphere?

A

Lose escape velocity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Why does Mercury have a weak magnetic field?

A

Slow rotation low core convection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is Mercury’s period of rotation?

A

59 days

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is Mercury’s orbital period?

A

88 days

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Who made the first telescopic observations of Mercury?

A

Galileo

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Relate Mercury’s size and mass to Earth

A

1/3 and 1/10

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is odd about these detailed pictures of Mercury?

A

Only showed about 1/2 the planet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How many AU’s is Mercury from the Sun?

A

.04 AU’s

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Mercury never exceeds which angular distance?

A

28 degrees

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How long is Mercury visible for?

A

Less than 2 hours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

When are the best images of Mercury taken?

A

Aphelion -max elongation

17
Q

Why is there such a high temperature difference?

A

There’s no atmosphere

18
Q

Which craft took the first pictures of Mercury?

A

Mariner 10

19
Q

Explain Mercury’s spin-orbit resonance

A

3 rotations for every 2 revolutions

20
Q

What is responsible for Mercury’s 3:2 resonance?

A

Suns tidal force Keplers 2nd Law

21
Q

How old are the scarps?

A

4 billion years old

22
Q

Name the result of the great geologic event on Mercury.

A

Caloris Basin

23
Q

What is the axial tilt?

A

0

24
Q

How many moons does Mercury have?

A

0

25
Q

What is Mercury’s core made of?

A

Iron

26
Q

What were the source of the inter crater plains?

A

Lava flows

27
Q

What is the density of Mercury?

A

5400 kg/m^3

28
Q

The surface temperature on Mercury is between?

A

800F-300F

29
Q

Almost all craters on Mercury are a result of?

A

Impacts

Astronomy (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions