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Astronomy 101- solar system
solar system flash cards
132
Astronomy
Undergraduate 1
03/02/2013

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Cards

Term
What aspects of the SS tell us how it was formed?
Definition
Its flattened plain shows us how it was formed by a rotating gas cloud.
Term
What are the basic types of planents in out SS?
Definition
Small rocky Terrestrail planets and big gassy Jovian
Term
Why are there different types of planents in out SS?
Definition
becuase of how far out the panents were formed the inner Closely spaced (terrestrial) planets were formed in high temperatures where only rock and metal could condense.  THe widely spaced Jovian planets formed futher out, having bigger cores, were formed in cold temperatures, allowing ices to condense and draw in hydrogen and helium gas.
Term
What do asteroids and comets have to do with planets?
Definition
They are leftovers from the formation of planets and they rotate like planets.
Term
Where else in our SS do we think there might be life?
Definition
Mars.
Term
Are thre other planetary systems besides ours?
Definition
There have been detections of systems with plaents around other stars.
Term
Have we found evidence of life beyond earth?
Definition
No but controversial claims that there were martians in Antarctica.
Term
Why are some planets/moons geologically active and others dead?
Definition

It's a matter of how quickly you lose the heat you have. The bigger the better it maintains heat.  smaller bodies become geologically dead faster

(however there are moons much smaller than ours but are geographically active)

Term
Is our sun an unusual or typical star?
Definition
its pretty typical not extreamly luminous
Term
What is the evidence for climate change on earth?
Definition
2010 tied for warmest year on Earth. Sea level rise, global temp rise, waming oceans, ocean acidificiation, melting ice, glacier rereating
Term

Do all the planets revolve around sun in same direction?

 

Definition
yes
Term

Do all planets rotate about themselves in the same direction? 


Definition
No some rotate backwards.
Term

What aspects of SS suggest that it formed from a rotating gas cloud? 


Definition

The fact that all planets are in a flat plain orbiting in same direction. 


Term

Earths surface is unique among the planets b/c? 


Definition
Sliding Plates
Term
How do we know Earth used to be fully molte ?
Definition
It's differentiated so all the layers settle in the middle.
Term

Our atmosphere is unique b/c?? 

Definition
byproducts of biological out casting. 
Term

What two molecules make up most of our atmosphere? 

Definition
Nitrogen and oxygen (more nitrogen)
Term

of nitrogen where did come from?

Definition

 Volcanoes and animal decay. 


Term

Volcanoes on mars are so huge compared to earth b/c: 

Definition

 low gravity and no continental drift.


Term

Mars atmosphere to earths-


Definition
 much thinner and less dense
Term

True about Mar’s atmosphere: 



Definition
likely that running water has been there recently. 
Term

Which terrestrial plan has water frozen in permafrost? 

Definition
Mars
Term

Jupiter is mostly made of: 

Definition

Hydrogen


Term

What is great red spot on Jupiter? 

Definition

A big hurricane- storm

Term

Uranus is blue b/c?


Definition

The amount of methane absorbs red light, reflecting only blue light

 

Term
Neptune’s closest twin is:
Definition
Uranus
Term

Io so volcanically active b/c:  


Definition
it’s squeezed and heated by tidal forces from Jupiter.
Term

On what moons are oceans of liquid water thought to be beneath surface? 

Definition

Europa and Enceladus


Term

Why haven’t Saturn’s rings collected into single moon? 

Definition

Accumulation would be torn apart form tidal forces. 


Term

Pluto is Icy like a: 

Definition

Johovian moon

Term
Asteroids are? 
Definition
Leftover terrestrial planet building blocks
Term
At given temperature which atom moves fastest? 
Definition
hydrogen
Term
why is the moon geologically dead compared to earth? 
Definition
its smaller so loses internal heat faster
Term
the moon lacks an atmosphere becuase.... 
Definition
its too hot and its gravity is too small to keep an atmosphere - hot on one side not the other
Term
why does the moon have many more impact crateres than the earth- 
Definition
the moon has much less erosion than the earth
Term

what is easy way to tell which areas of the moon are younget than others-

Definition
 crater density
Term
the atmosphere of venus is hot and dense as an example of...
Definition
 a greenhouse effect
Term
why are some volcanos on mars so huge compared to earth?
Definition

 mas has weaker gravity and no contintal drift


Term
mars atompshere compared to eath is... 
Definition
much thinner- dense
Term
Earth has a molten core that we're having a charge shows solid-no magnetic field
Definition
fact
Term
Jovian-fluid - far more magnetic field
Definition
fact
Term
Marsoffers widest range of appearance of any planet closest to us. range (.5)
Definition
fact
Term
Mars: planets of same temp but with 100 times less density you feel cold b/c you have less energy
Definition
Fact
Term
What are the most basic and obvious features of our Solar System? 

Definition
Sun and Planets
Term
How many planets are there in our Solar System? 
Definition
8
Term
What aspect(s) of our Solar System tell us how it was formed? 
Definition
How it was a flattened plain shows us how it was formed by a rotating gas cloud.
Term
What are the most obvious features of the distribution and motions of our Solar System planets? 
Definition

Sun has 99.9% of mass in Solar System, Planet orbits lie in planes, Planets revolve & rotate (mostly) in same sense. 

 

Term

How and why does the composition of the "gas giants" differ from that of the "ice giants"?

Definition

 the gas giants (Jupiter and Saturn) are made up of H and He. Ices are made up of water(h2o) ammonia(NH3), and methane(CH4), much bigger planet cores can develop. 


Term
Why are planets differentiated (layered)? 
Definition
****
Term

What processes shape the surfaces of terrestrial planets? 

Definition

Gas being hotter closer to the forming sun, rocks and metals. (volcanoes, tectonics, erosion, cratering)


Term

What are the most important internal sources of heat in terrestrial planets? 

Definition

1)accretion (at formation), 2)gravitational compression (at formation), 3)gravitational settling (differentiation) , 4)radioactivity 


Term

What determines how readily planets lose their heat? 

Definition

The size, bigger=maintain heat longer. 


Term

Where do terrestrial planets get their atmospheres? 


Definition

From gases released from their interiors

Term
Which terrestrial planets are known to have active volcanoes?
Definition
 **** Earth and Venus???
Term

Which terrestrial planets have evidence of liquid water, in the past or present? 

Definition
Earth and Mars.
Term

How can there be moons as small as our Moon and Mercury with atmospheres? 

Definition

B/c it is further away from the sun *************


Term

Which planets have ongoing volcanic activity?


Definition
 *****
Term

Which moons have atmospheres?

Definition

Saturn's largest moon Titan, thicker atmosphere than ours. (dense nitrogen and methane), and

Neptune's largest moon Triton, wispy (tenuous nitrogen and methane).


Term
What generates magnetic fields in planets?
Definition
 Charged particles from space
Term

How is Earth's surface unique among the planets? 

Definition
Broken into sliding plates, 70% water
Term

Why is the Earth geologically active?

Definition
 It is big so it maintains its heat
Term
When were Earth's continents last combined into one?
Definition
 200 million years ago
Term
How do we know the Earth used to be fully molten? 
Definition
B/c it is differentiated in layers. It had so much heat built up. The fact that temp moved to the center. (its continuing to lose its heat now but was once so hot that it melted)
Term

What is particularly unique about the Earth's atmosphere? 

Definition
Biproducts of biological out casting / breathing and decay
Term

What two molecules make up most of the Earth's atmosphere and where do they come from?

Definition
 Nitrogen volcanic burps) and Oxygen(plant breath).
Term

What is the main source of heat for the Earth's atmosphere? 

Definition

THE SUN  indirect is -- Accretion (at formation), gravitational compression(at formation), gravitational settling(differentiation), and Radio activity.


Term

Where and why does the Earth's atmosphere absorb light (heat) from the Sun?

Definition
 *****Ionosphere, magnetic field traps charged particles from space(aurora) The earth’s magnetosphere absorbs light(heat) from sun. Convections is where it is absorbed. Greenhouse gases absorb??
Term

What are some examples of greenhouse gases? 

 

Definition
carbon dioxide (CO2) water vapor (H2O)methane (CH4) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Term

What gas is most responsible for increasing our global warming? 

Definition
CARBON DIOXIDE Methane (Syberian tundra melting) 
Term

Where is the bulk of the carbon dioxide on the Earth's surface? 

Definition
In rocks on seafloor(the new carbon dioxide that we omit into the atmosphere is the prob not recycled
Term

Could the Earth's atmosphere ever get as thick and hot as Venus'?

Definition
 Yes if all the carbon dioxide was released in our atmosphere. It would be much less dense and MUCH hotter
Term

How does the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere protect us?

Definition
 It absorbs UV from the sun
Term

What has been destroying the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere? 

Definition
CFC’s
Term

What drives the Earth's weather?


Definition
 The sun (solar energy, light) 
Term

Why do Mercury and the Moon have virtually no atmospheres?  


Definition
Gravity too weak for how hot it is (also small, not much ability to maintain heat) It is geographically dead.
Term

Why does the Moon have many more impact craters than the Earth? 

Definition
It was blasted by a giant impact. 
Term

Is there any erosion on the Moon? 

Definition
Micrometeorites are the ONLY source of erosion on the moon.
Term

How did the Earth-Moon system form? Why do we think so?

Definition
****
Term

What are the dark patches on the Moon? 


Definition
Made up of smaller circular patches that are associated with giant craters. (blasted by craters then billion years later filled up with lava, the spots)
Term

How do we estimate the ages of various parts of the Moon's surface?

Definition
 By studying lunar craters.
Term
biggest difference between moon and earth
Definition

 Earth is active, moon is almost geographically dead

Term
moon facts
Definition
moons density is like our own crust, no dark side of moon, it is somewhat differentiated
Term

Why is the atmosphere of Venus so hot? 

Definition
B/c it is made up of mostly Carbon Dioxide with a runaway greenhouse effect. 
Term

The atmospheres of Mars and Venus are mostly made of what greenhouse gas?

Definition
 Nitrogen and CO2????
Term

Why do we think Venus rotates backwards compared to most of the other planets? 

Definition
all of the planets are turning in a counter-clockwise direction. Except Venus. It's rotating in a clockwise direction. Venus rotates very slowly. While a day on Earth takes just 24 hours to complete, a day on Venus is 243 of our Earth days
Term

Why is Mars red? 

Definition
B/c it is rusty covered in iron oxide. 
Term

Have we found running water on Mars?

Definition
 We think there is occasional liquid water but doesn’t last long. 
Term

Why do we think Mars used to have substantial amounts liquid water on its surface? 

Definition

Pools of liquid water in the northern hemisphere. Pictures of sand dunes that have disappeared leading to thinking occasional liquid water. Clouds are made of water ice. We can see ice caps covered by dust. 


Term

Where is most of the water on Mars now? 

Definition
Permafrost (frozen seas, glaciers), and polar caps(water ice below, carbon dioxide ice on top)
Term

What has happened to Mars' atmosphere over time? 

Definition
It has thinned. (less dense) thought that it use to be able to keep liquid water but not anymore. It use to be warmer. Atmosphere leaked away(no magnetic shielding and weak grav.)
Term

Are there active volcanoes on Mars? .

Definition
No, none have proven active
Term

Why are the volcanoes on Mars so huge compared to Mars' size?

Definition
 B/c, Mars has weak gravity so structures can be taller and also there is no continental drift so hotspots may have stayed in particular spots under the surface and built up huge volcanoes. 
Term

How substantial is the atmosphere of Mars? Why? 

Definition
Liquid water cant survive very long b/c of the thin atmosphere. Things freeze on surface and dust storms. 
Term

What are the Jovian planets mostly made of? How are they structured?

Definition
 Density’s very similar to stars (less dense than us) 
Term

How does the composition of Jupiter and Saturn differ from Uranus and Neptune?

Definition
 Jupiter and Saturn is made up of H,HE, NH3(hydrogen gases) made of metallic hydrogen while Neptune and Uranus are most made of ices, water(h20), methan(NH3), and methane(CH4)(rock metal and ices)
Term

What causes the banding in Jupiter's and Saturn's atmospheres? 

Definition

Motions are being kicked off  by coming from below,. Mainly b/c the fast rotation. convection


Term

Why is Jupiter's magnetic field so strong? 

Definition
B/c it has circulating electronic charges. The layer of metallic hydrogen inside Jupiter creates the very strong magnetic field observed around Jupiter.
Term

Jupiter's moon Io is smaller than our Moon. How then can Io be so volcanically active? 

Definition
There is is differential gravity from Jupiter that squeezes and heats it. They’re being worked on from host planets. 
Term

Why are some of the icy Jovian moons so geologically active?

Definition
 Because the Johavians planets have more mass that produce tital heating replacing lost heat of the smaller moons. 
Term

Where do the rings of Jovian planets come from? 

Definition
Dust from moons and volcanic explosions from Io
Term

Why haven't Saturn's rings collected into a single moon? 

Definition
Accumulation would be torn apart form tidal forces. 
Term

What are Uranus and Neptune mostly made of? 

Definition
Mostly ices-water (h20),ammonia(NH3), Methane(CH4)
Term

Why are Uranus and Neptune blue?

Definition
 Methane molecules.
Term

What was the Great Dark Spot of Neptune? 


Definition
Large regions of high altitude clouds swirling around. Disappeared in the 90’s.
Term

Jupiter 10 times bigger than us and has 1000 times our volume, and 300 times our mass. Way less dense. Interior: hydrogen of various flavors. Hydrogen acts as a metal. As you dig deeper it gets denser and denser. The core is a rocky, metallic, icy core. Same compesition of a star but doesn’t have fusion reactions, it needs to be larger 70% the mass to have fusion reactions.

Definition
fact
Term

*Uranus visible to naked eye but Neptune not.

and rotates backwards
Definition
uranus fact
Term
stars twinkle, planets dont
Definition
fact
Term

Amount of moons Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune have

Definition
Jupiter has 4 big, Saturn has 1, Neptune has 1………
Term

4 Galilean Moons - Closest to furthest , they have trend similar to solary system themselves. 

Inner rocky, outer icy.

Definition
  1. Io(volcanic),
  2. Europa(oceans of liquid water),
  3. Ganymede(icy,craters, measurable magnetic fields inner oceans but deep),
  4. Callisto(icy, craters, measurable magnetic fields, inner oceans but deep). 
Term

Saturn’s important moons.

Definition
  1. Titan(very thick atmosphere, thicker than ours) largest moon on Saturn.
  2. Enceladus-most shiny thing in solar system. 

Term
Neptunes moons
Definition

Neptune’s Triton-largest on Neptune has atmosphere that’s wispy. and rotates backwards.

Term

Jupiter's Moons

Definition

Jupiter's volcanically active moon Io (tenuous sulfur dioxide), Jupiter's ice-coated moon Europa (tenuous oxygen)

Term

How does Pluto differ from Terrestrial and Jovian planets? 

Definition

So small, the density is neither rocky/icy like others(its both), the atmosphere is most eccentric and has an elliptical orbit tilted 17 degrees. 

Term

Why was Pluto demoted from planet hood?

Definition
The discovery of Eris further out.
Term

What are asteroids and where are they? 

Definition

Leftover terrestrial planetestimals (inner ,rocky) from solar system formation. They are in a thick belt between Mars and Jupiter/ Icy like Johovian moon.


Term

Why is there an asteroid belt where it is? 

Definition
The asteroid belt is in a place where the asteroids can maintain long-term stable orbits without being chaotically perturbed by the current planets. It’s Between Mars and Jupiter. 
Term

Why are large asteroids spherical and smaller asteroids irregularly shaped?

Definition
 Smaller asteroids lack the mass to deform their materials into balls and are therefore have irregular shape.  Bigger ones have more gravity to pull into a spherical shape.
Term

What are comets and where are they?  

Definition
Small objects that orbit the sun and are made largely out of ices mixed with rock. They are located in the Kuiper Belt or an area called the Oort cloud.
Term

What are Kuiper belt objects?

Definition
 Icy objects(mostly comets) within the area known as the Kuiper belt
Term

Have we found other planetary systems?

Definition
yes
Term

How do we search for other planetary systems? 

Definition
indirectly, looking for wobbling stars
Term

Have we directly observed any planets around other stars?

Definition
yes
Term

How do extrasolar planets compare to the planets in our own Solar System? 

Definition
they are closer to stars
Term
fact
Definition

before kepler, most planets found were massive like Jupiter and closer to their stars

Term
comet facts
Definition
  • comet tail can be the largest things in a solar system, basically like dirty snowballs
  • smooth comet tail has dust kicked back by sunlight
  • patchy comet tail has fried ions released by the comet head
  • 2 types of comets: oort cloud and Kuiper belt
Term
what are comets?
Definition
 leftover Jovian planet building blocks
Term
when a comet is close enough to the sun to have a tail, the tail...
Definition
always points away from the sun
Term

what causes meteor showers? 


Definition
the earth passing thru dust trails left behind by comets
Term

full moon is 8 times more bright as the 1st quarter

Definition
moon fact
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