Knowledge Flashcards
7 cards from real ASP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Knowledge flashcards as text
What phenomenon describes the reddening of starlight as a star moves away from the observer?
Answer: Redshift
Redshift occurs due to the Doppler effect when a light source moves away, stretching wavelengths toward the red end of the spectrum.
What is the primary composition of a comet's nucleus?
Answer: Ice and dust
Comet nuclei are composed mainly of ice (water, carbon dioxide, methane) mixed with dust and rocky material, earning them the nickname 'dirty snowballs.'
Which planet has the largest known moon in the solar system?
Answer: Jupiter
Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter, is the largest moon in the solar system, even larger than the planet Mercury.
What is the name of the process by which a star converts hydrogen into helium in its core?
Answer: Nuclear fusion
Stars generate energy through nuclear fusion, combining hydrogen nuclei under extreme pressure and temperature to form helium.
The celestial coordinate equivalent of longitude on Earth is called:
Answer: Right ascension
Right ascension is the celestial equivalent of geographic longitude, measured in hours eastward from the vernal equinox.
What is a neutron star's typical diameter?
Answer: About 10–20 km
Neutron stars are incredibly dense remnants of supernova explosions, typically only about 10–20 kilometers in diameter.
Which spacecraft was the first to provide detailed close-up images of Pluto?
Answer: New Horizons
NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew by Pluto in July 2015, returning the first detailed close-up images of the dwarf planet.