ASP Solar System Astronomy 3

Question 1

What are the four terrestrial planets in our solar system?

Accepted Answer

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

Answer

The four terrestrial (rocky) planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, all of which are composed primarily of silicate rock and metals.

Question 2

What is the difference between a meteor, meteoroid, and meteorite?

Accepted Answer

Meteoroid is in space, meteor is in Earth's atmosphere, meteorite reaches the ground

Answer

A meteoroid is a small rocky body in space, a meteor is the visible streak of light when it enters Earth's atmosphere, and a meteorite is any portion that survives to reach Earth's surface.

Question 3

What is the term for the point in a planet's orbit when it is closest to the Sun?

Accepted Answer

Perihelion

Answer

Perihelion is the point in a planet's elliptical orbit when it is closest to the Sun, while aphelion is when it is farthest from the Sun.

Question 4

Which gas gives Neptune and Uranus their blue-green color?

Accepted Answer

Methane

Answer

Methane in the atmospheres of Neptune and Uranus absorbs red light and reflects blue-green light, giving these ice giants their distinctive blue-green colors.

Question 5

What is the Kuiper Belt?

Accepted Answer

A region of icy bodies beyond Neptune's orbit

Answer

The Kuiper Belt is a region of the outer solar system extending from Neptune's orbit (30 AU) to about 50 AU, populated by icy bodies including dwarf planets like Pluto.

ASP - Astronomical Society of the Pacific Exam Practice Test

ASP - Astronomical Society of the Pacific Exam Practice Test

ASP Solar System Astronomy 3