The Outer Solar System Flashcards

1
Q

What can be concluded from the size of Jupiter’s bulge at the equator?

A

Jupiter has a dense core 5-10 times that of Earth

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2
Q

What is true about the Great Red Spot on Jupiter?

A - it moves at the same rate as the planets core
B - it is the only storm on the surface of the planet
C - it is due to convection cells on the surface
D - it gets its colour from the clouds on top of the storm

A

A

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3
Q

What is true about Ganymede?

A - it is the largest moon in the solar system
B - it is the most geologically active object in the solar system B
C - it rotates with twice the period of IO
D - it has a large crater of 3000km diameter called Valhalla

A

A

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4
Q

What is true about Saturn’s rings?

A - they are outside the Roche limit
B - they are solid objects of ice and rock
C - they are caused by shepherd moons
D - they are made up predominantly of water ice particles

A

D

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5
Q

Which of the following about Uranus is true?

A - Uranus has an axis of rotation that is inclined to 98° to the orbital plane
B - Uranus radiates 2.7 times the amount of heat it receives
C - Uranus has a magnetic field that is weaker than earths magnetic field
D - Uranus has an axis of rotation that is inclined to 28° to the orbital plane

A

A

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6
Q

Which if the following is true about Triton?

A - triton is a moon of Uranus
B - the mass of triton is larger than europa
C - triton has active geysers of nitrogen
D - triton has a surface temperature of 133K

A

C

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7
Q

How were Uranus’s rings discovered

A

Stellar occultation

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8
Q

Where is Eric’s found

A

In the Kuiper Belt

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9
Q

What can be said about the gaps observed in the asteroid belt?

A

They are known as Kirkwood gaps

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10
Q

Why does Jupiter have a non-spherical shape?

A

Because it rotates rapidly

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11
Q

What makes up Jupiter’s magnetosphere?

A

Accelerating electrons and protons

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12
Q

What is Europa’s surface like?

A

Composed of rocky deposits and water ice

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13
Q

What is true about the rings if Saturn?

A - made of dust
B - found at Lagrange points
C - found outside the Roche limit
D - formed due to tidal forces

A

D

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14
Q

Why does Neptune have a larger surface temperature than Uranus

A

Because it has an internal heat source and methane in the atmosphere traps heat

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15
Q

The rings of Uranus

A - are held by shepherd moons
B - a thousands of kilometres across
C - are speared by small gaps 10km wide
D - were observed by stellar enhancement

A

A

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16
Q

Pluto

A - is 20 times larger than Charon
B - is tidally locked to Charon
C - is the last of the 9 planets
D - is not a dwarf planet

17
Q

What is not a Kuiper Belt object?

A - ceres
B - Pluto
C - Charon
D - Eric’s

18
Q

What are the Kirkwood gaps?

A

Under populated regions of asteroids in the asteroid belt

19
Q

What are in the nuclei of comets?

A

Dust, methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide and ice

20
Q

What is the magnetosphere of Jupiter caused by?

A

The spinning and the metallic hydrogen core

21
Q

What is the volcanic activity on Jupiter a consequence of?

A

Tidal forces exerted by Jupiter and its moons

22
Q

What is the Cassini division in Saturn caused by?

A

A 2:1 resonance with Mimas

23
Q

Triton:

A - has a prograde orbit
B - maintains a thin nitrogen atmosphere
C - has methane lakes near the poles
D - displays tectonic activity

24
Q

The Cassini spacecraft and Huygens probe studied the surface of titan and found?

A

Ice volcanoes venting methane into the atmosphere

25
Q

Explain the magnetic field of Uranus

A

Tilted with respect to the axis of rotation by 60°

26
Q

What is Charon

A

The moon of Pluto

27
Q

Where do S type asteroids dominate?

A

The inner regions of the asteroid belt