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Astronomy 101: Test 3
Charles Thompson-Trident Technical College
33
Astronomy
Undergraduate 1
04/30/2011

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Cards

Term
Primary Atmosphere
Definition
The H & He left over from initial condensation.
Term
Secondary Atmosphere
Definition
The Non-H, He in an atmosphere from volcanoes.
Term
Discuss the Great Red Spot.
Definition
It is a "storm" that has lasted for at least 300 years on Jupiter.
Term
Chaos Theory
Definition
A system with many variables highly dependent on initial conditions.
(For want of a nail.)
Term
List the properties of a gas giant.
Definition

1) Low density

2) Magnetic field: liquid under pressure acts like a metal

3) Coriolis Force: cloud banding

4) Roche Force: Ring systems

5) Many moons

Term
Coriolis Effect
Definition
The East/West deflection of a North/South moving object on a spinning object.
Term
Discuss Cloud Banding
Definition
Gas giants spin fast. Due to the Coriolis effect, gases deflect & form a "band"
Term

Draw a density graph of the Jovian Moons. How does it support the condensation theory.

 

{I owe your pa green[gang] meade. Call it so.}

Definition
[image]
Term
DEFINE: Triple Point
Definition

When the solid, liquid, & vapor form of a molecule can exist at the same time.

EX: Titan: moon of Saturn with Methane at the Triple Point.

Term
Discuss Titan. What makes it interesting.
Definition
Methane @ Triple Point: this means that Titan has an "ocean". This gives a moderation of temperature that makes life "possible".
Term
List the three most likely places in our solar system (other than Earth); give a pro and a con for each place.
Definition
  • Europa:
    • Pro: Substantial water with ice insulation
    • Con:  Jupiter's Magnetic Field
  • Mars
    • Pro: Thin atmosphere; probable sub-surface water
    • Con: No atmospshere
  • Titan
    • Pro: Triple Point
    • Con: Very cold
Term
Why should Uranus NOT be considered a "normal" planet.
Definition
1) Rotation axis is tilted by 90°
2) Rotation & magnetic field axis are not aligned.
3) Miranda: moon that appears to have reassembled
Term
Miranda
Definition
Moon of Uranus
Term
Draw at least three diagrams showing how a major gravity event could explain Uranus.
Definition
[image]
Term
Discuss why Jupiter should have a magnetic field.
Definition
1) Spin: ≈10 hours
2) Free electrons: hydrogen under pressure acts like a metal.
Term
Discuss the volcanoes of IO. How are they useful?
Definition
1) Due to tidal effects, IO is heated.
2) This produces volcanoes.
3) The ejecta can escape.
4) It interact with Jupiter's magnetic field which allows us to measure it.
Term

Draw a graph of stellar occultation. How did this impact the study of Neptune.

 

 

It showed that we can only see rings on one side of Neptune!

Definition
[image]
Term
Discuss the difficulties of taking data at Neptune.
Definition

1) Low light levels

2) Fast speed at close approach

3) (Astronaut's favorite) speed of light =8 hour delay

Term
Kuiper Belt
Definition
A region of comets/asteroids beyond Pluto. Source of short period comets. (Short orbits.)
Term
Oort Belt
Definition
A region of comets/asteroids beyond Pluto. Source of long period comets. (Long orbits.)
Term
What evidence suggests a major impact hit the Earth ≈60 million years ago.
Definition
1) Crater off Mexico of the correct age.
2) Crater size is large.
3) Iridium is found at the site
4) Quartzite is found around the site
Term
Draw a diagram explain why mass extinction could be explained.
Definition
[image]
Term
DEFINE:
Iridium
Definition
A heavy atom found with volcanoes & meteor impacts.
Term
Discuss how a major impact could eliminate most life on Earth.
Definition
1) Blast, shockwave: all surface life gone for 2000+ miles
2) Salt: Destruction of seaside habitat
3) Nuclear Winter
Term
Blake's Ridge (Blake's Nose)
Definition
An area in the Atlantic (off the coast of Charleston) that indicates a tidal wave went over Florida.
Term
Discuss why Pluto should NOT be considered a planet.
Definition
1) Orbit is inclined WRT the ecliptic
2) Passes inside Neptune's orbit
3) Barycenter is outside Pluto's surface
(4) There is a 3:2 resonance in the orbits of Pluto & Neptune.
Term
Charon
Definition
Moon of Pluto
Term
Discuss what properties suggest Neptune had a major gravity event.
Definition
1) Triton: is in retrograde orbit
2) Neried: is in a highly eliptical orbit
3) Spin & magnetic axis are not aligned
Term
Triton
Definition

Moon of Neptune

 

(Triton is the Greek messenger of the SEA and Neptune is the Roman god of the SEA.)

Term
Neried
Definition
Moon of Neptune
Term
Discuss the Great Dark Spot of Neptune in relation to Jupiter.
Definition
We saw a large storm on Neptune using Voyager. When Hubble took pictures decades later, it was gone. This, connected with the Great Red Spot, might allow understanding of storms.
Term
Beta Pictoris
Definition
First star found to have an Oort Belt.
Term
Draw a diagram and explain the Beta Pictoris Experiment.
Definition
[image]
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