The Solar System Flashcards
How did our solar system form, and what played a key role in the process?
The solar system formed simultaneously with the Sun, as a rotating cloud of gas and dust collapsed to form small planetary bodies orbiting the sun while the remaining dust and gas were accreted by the Sun.
How are planets in our solar system categorized, and what distinguishes dwarf planets?
Planets are categorized into main (terrestrial and Jovian) planets and dwarf planets. Dwarf planets are characterized by their small, spherical shape with large eccentric orbits.
What are the characteristics of the asteroid belt, and what are the two main regions that remain in our solar system?
The asteroid belt is a ring of small, irregular rocky bodies located between Mars and Jupiter. The two main remnants of the solar system are the Oort cloud (trillions of objects, about 50,000 AU from the Sun) and the Kuiper belt (home to short-period comets and dwarf planets, orbiting 30 to 100 AU from the Sun).
What are comets, and what distinguishes their orbits? Describe the two types of tails associated with comets.
Comets are icy, irregular objects with eccentric orbits around the Sun. They have two tails: a dust tail, where pressure blows off dust and gas, and an ion tail, where solar winds blow off ionized plasma.
Why is the solar system unique for astronomical observations, and how can we verify observations using ground truth?
The solar system is unique because it allows us to compare observations from telescopes to the ground truth through the use of probes and landers. This direct exploration provides a way to verify and complement astronomical observations.
What is the typical distance range of Terrestrial Planets from the Sun, and what geological features are common on these planets?
Terrestrial Planets lie in the range of 0.4 to 1.52 AU from the Sun. They’re small rocky planets with few moons and no rings. Many show signs of cratering, although geological activity often erases these features.
How can we analyze the interior of a planet, and what information can seismic waves provide?
We can analyze a planet’s interior through earthquakes. P waves are longitudinal and travel only through magma, while S waves are transverse and travel only through rock. Seismic waves provide valuable information about the planet’s internal composition.
What are the three primary ways through which the interior of a planet is heated?
The interior of a planet is heated through differentiation (dense material sinking), accretion (small release of potential energy as material builds up), and radioactive decay of dense materials.
How is the interior typically divided?
. The interior is typically divided into a dense core and a slightly less dense lithosphere, which on Earth is further subdivided into the mantle and crust.
What defines Jovian planets, and how do they differ from Terrestrial planets in terms of their composition and atmospheres?
Jovian planets are located beyond the frost line, where hydrogen compounds condense. They quickly build up a rocky core, trapping hydrogen. Their atmospheres are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, with different colors caused by various cloud layers.
How is the Coriolis effect relevant to Jovian planets, and what structures does it create in their atmospheres?
The Coriolis effect, a fictitious force caused by the rotational speed varying with latitude, is present on Jovian planets. This effect leads to the formation of hurricane-like structures in their atmospheres.
What is a notable characteristic of Jovian planets regarding their satellites, and how does cryovolcanism contribute to the activity of some moons?
Jovian planets have many satellites, and some are geologically active with processes like cryovolcanism, where water acts like lava. This activity may contain water.
How do Jovian planets acquire and maintain their ring systems, and what processes contribute to the dynamics of these rings?
Jovian planets’ ring systems are leftovers from planet formation. Atmospheric drag and sunlight pressure cause dust and gas to spiral towards the planet, resulting in constant collisions and the release of more material from the moons, contributing to the growth and dynamics of the rings.
