Our Solar System

Question 1

The geocentric theory was useful because it…

Answer 1

provided a workable model of the sky and the most important objects in it

Question 2

Name an optical illusion.

Answer 2

A superior planet’s retrograde motion

Question 3

What two things contribute to the high surface temperatures on Mercury?

Answer 3

slow rotation rate and distance from the sun

Question 4

Which part of the IAU definition of a planet did Pluto and the other dwarf planets not satisfy?

Answer 4

Planets do not share their orbits with any other significant object other than moons.

Question 5

What are the 3 small solar system bodies?

Answer 5

asteroids, comets, and meteoroids

Question 6

The asteroid belt lies between the orbits of…

Answer 6

Mars and Jupiter

Question 7

The… ? …mission to Pluto and Beyond is intended to provide evidence for the secular theories of the Solar System’s origin

Answer 7

New Horizions

Question 8

Critics of the… ? …were more concerned about the significance of moving humans from the center of the universe than about simply changing the arrangements of the solar system.

Answer 8

Copernican Theory

Question 9

Why is this statement false? In 2006, Pluto change so drastically that astronomers could no longer call to planet.

Answer 9

it never changed

Question 10

Name the planets of the solar system in order from the Sun.

Answer 10

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune

Question 11

How can you remember the planets in order?

Answer 11

my very educated mother just served us nachos

Question 12

A comet’s tale points towards the sun due to the Sun’s gravity pulling it.

Answer 12

False, sorry I did not have a correction for this one, I assume that its not the sun, but I don’t know

Question 13

Most… ? …burn completely before reaching Earth’s surface.

Answer 13

Meteors

Question 14

Formulated three laws of planetary motion?

Answer 14

Johannes Kepler

Question 15

Applied gravity to planetary movement?

Answer 15

Isaac Newton

Question 16

Proposed deferents and epicycles?

Answer 16

Ptolemy

Question 17

The collection of solar system bodies that lie Beyond Newton’s orbit is called the…

Answer 17

Kuiper Belt

Question 18

Planetary models were greatly improved by the precise and accurate observations of the astronomer…

Answer 18

Tycho Brahe

Question 19

Saturn and the other gas giants are classified as…

Answer 19

Jovian Planets

Question 20

Only inferior planets are observed to pass in front of the Sun, an event known as…

Answer 20

Transit

Question 21

The planets that are beyond the Earth’s orbit are called…

Answer 21

Superior Planets

Question 22

Astronomers designate comets that appear two more times as…

Answer 22

Periodic Comets

Question 23

Explain retrograde motion.

Answer 23

A planet displays retrograde motion when it appears to stop its forward motion, move backward, and then return it to its forward motion. This occurs when a plant passes a slower moving planet.

Question 24

Describe terrestrial planets.

Answer 24

Terrestrial plants are similar to Earth and density and size. They are close to the Sun and have rocky surfaces.

Question 25

Why do we call some comets periodic comets?

Answer 25

They reappear at regular, predictable intervals.

Question 26

What two astronomical observations was the earliest geocentric theory unable to explain?

Answer 26

The geocentric theory had no explanation for why some planets seemed to be closer and brighter at some times and then become dimmer and seemingly more distant. It also could not explain retrograde motion.

Question 27

List and describe the groups of small solar system bodies.

Answer 27

Asteroids are small solar system bodies that are large enough to be seen with a telescope and usually lie between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Comets are small solar system objects that orbit the sun and are made of different ices.
Meteroiods are similar to asteroids but are smaller.