Astronomy Quiz: How Well You Know?
How well do you know astronomy? This quiz will reveal your smarts. Astronomy is one of the few disciplines in which ordinary people play an active role. People have helped with many important discoveries, such as finding new comets. Observational astronomy may be grouped according to the corresponding region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This exercise will help you better understand the scope of your knowledge concerning astronomy—good luck taking this quiz.
- 1.
Jupiter's appearance shows striking:
- A.
Heavily cratered highlands with smooth, almost crater-less lowlands
- B.
An almost completely uniform yellow-brown coloration
- C.
Distinct alternating light and dark "bands"
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. Distinct alternating light and dark "bands"Explanation
Jupiter's appearance shows distinct alternating light and dark "bands". This refers to the visible bands of clouds that encircle the planet. These bands are caused by Jupiter's strong atmospheric winds, which create different cloud formations at different altitudes. The lighter bands are regions where the clouds are higher and colder, while the darker bands are where the clouds are lower and warmer. This distinct banding pattern is one of the most noticeable features of Jupiter's appearance.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Jupiter's "belts" and "zones" are:
- A.
Visible evidence of vertical convective motion in the atmosphere
- B.
Alternating regions of dominantly east-moving and west-moving material
- C.
Alternating regions of dominantly down-moving(low pressure) and up-moving(high pressure) material
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
Jupiter's "belts" and "zones" refer to alternating regions of dominantly east-moving and west-moving material, as well as dominantly down-moving (low pressure) and up-moving (high pressure) material. These belts and zones are also visible evidence of vertical convective motion in the atmosphere. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of the above" as all of these statements accurately describe Jupiter's belts and zones.Rate this question:
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- 3.
The rotation axis of Jupiter is tilted at only 3 degrees from being at right angles to the plane of its orbit. As a consequence, Jupiter's seasons:
- A.
Are similar to seasons on Earth
- B.
Are much more extreme than seasons on Earth
- C.
Are almost non-existent(much less seasonal differences than on Earth)
- D.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. Are almost non-existent(much less seasonal differences than on Earth)Explanation
Jupiter's rotation axis is only tilted at 3 degrees, which means that the planet does not experience significant seasonal differences. This is in contrast to Earth, where the tilt of the axis leads to distinct changes in seasons throughout the year. Therefore, the correct answer is that Jupiter's seasons are almost non-existent, with much less seasonal differences compared to Earth.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Because Jupiter has no "solid surface" to "tie-down its atmosphere", the period of rotation of the atmosphere varies with latitude. This is termed:
- A.
Differentiation
- B.
Differential rotation
- C.
Rotational disparity
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. Differential rotationExplanation
Differential rotation refers to the phenomenon where different parts of a rotating object rotate at different speeds. In the case of Jupiter, its atmosphere does not have a solid surface to anchor it, causing the atmosphere to rotate at different speeds at different latitudes. This is why the correct term for this phenomenon is "differential rotation."Rate this question:
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- 5.
Because Jupiter is so large, its period of rotation is:
- A.
Similar to the period of revolution of Mercury around the Sun
- B.
Similar to the period of rotation of the planet Venus
- C.
Too slow to be measurable
- D.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. None of the aboveExplanation
The period of rotation of Jupiter is not similar to the period of revolution of Mercury around the Sun or the period of rotation of Venus. Additionally, the period of rotation of Jupiter is measurable, so it is not too slow to be measurable. Therefore, the correct answer is none of the above.Rate this question:
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- 6.
On Jupiter the variation of rotational period with latitude means that the period is greatest (ie. the "day" is longest):
- A.
At the equator
- B.
Halfway between the equator and the poles
- C.
At the poles
- D.
At the equator in spring/fall and at the poles in summer/winter
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. At the polesExplanation
On Jupiter, the rotational period refers to the time it takes for the planet to complete one full rotation on its axis. The variation of rotational period with latitude means that the time it takes for a specific latitude to complete one rotation differs from other latitudes. The answer states that the period is greatest at the poles, which means that it takes the longest time for a point at the poles to complete one rotation compared to any other latitude on Jupiter. This is due to the fact that the poles are located farthest from the equator, where the rotational speed is highest.Rate this question:
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- 7.
The rotation period of the planet can also be measured from periodic radio emission (tied to the magnetic field of Jupiter). This rotation period most closely agrees with the atmospheric rotation observed:
- A.
At the equator
- B.
Halfway between the equator and the poles
- C.
At the poles
- D.
At the equator in spring/fall and at the poles summer/winter
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. At the polesExplanation
The rotation period of the planet can be measured from periodic radio emission tied to the magnetic field of Jupiter. The fact that the rotation period most closely agrees with the atmospheric rotation observed at the poles suggests that the poles have a consistent and stable rotation pattern. This is because the magnetic field of Jupiter is closely tied to its rotation, and the radio emission measurements indicate that the rotation period is consistent at the poles. Therefore, the correct answer is at the poles.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The "banded" structure of Jupiter's clouds:
- A.
Is most visble only near the equator
- B.
Is most visible near the equator and at mid-latitudes
- C.
Is most visible only near the poles
- D.
Varies with time but equally visible at all latitudes
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. Is most visible near the equator and at mid-latitudesExplanation
The correct answer is that the "banded" structure of Jupiter's clouds is most visible near the equator and at mid-latitudes. This is because Jupiter's atmosphere is composed of different layers of clouds that are organized into distinct bands. These bands are caused by the planet's rapid rotation and the interaction between different atmospheric gases. The equator and mid-latitudes experience the most intense atmospheric activity, resulting in the most prominent and visible cloud bands in these regions.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The "surface" of Jupiter is chosen as:
- A.
The top of the troposphere (which is also the first later of significant haze or cloud as on Earth)
- B.
The "ammonia ice" layer
- C.
The "ammonium hydrosulfide ice" layer
- D.
The "water ice" layer
- E.
The top of the "liquid hydrogen" region
Correct Answer
A. The top of the tropospHere (which is also the first later of significant haze or cloud as on Earth)Explanation
The surface of Jupiter is chosen as the top of the troposphere because it is the first layer of significant haze or cloud, similar to Earth. This is the region where weather phenomena occur and where most of the visible features, such as the bands and storms, are observed. The other layers mentioned, such as the ammonia ice, ammonium hydrosulfide ice, water ice, and liquid hydrogen region, are located deeper within Jupiter's atmosphere and are not considered part of the surface.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The temperature at the "surface" of Jupiter is:
- A.
Somewhat warmer than expected based on the energy Jupiter receives from the Sun
- B.
About the expected based on the energy Jupiter receives from the Sun
- C.
Somewhat cooler than expected based on the energy of Jupiter receives from the Sun
- D.
A total mystery as the temperature is much colder than expected based on the energy Jupiter receives from the Sun
Correct Answer
A. Somewhat warmer than expected based on the energy Jupiter receives from the SunExplanation
The temperature at the "surface" of Jupiter is somewhat warmer than expected based on the energy Jupiter receives from the Sun. This suggests that there are internal heat sources within Jupiter, such as heat from its core or from ongoing atmospheric processes, that contribute to its higher surface temperature.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Evidence for the interaction between the "Great Red Spot" and the adjacent "zonal flow" is seen in:
- A.
The rotation period of the "Great Red Spot" is very different from the rotation period of the adjacent "zonal flow"
- B.
The turbulent eddies that form and drift away from the dege of the "Great Red Spot"
- C.
The tranquil appearance of the center region of the "Great Red Spot"
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. The turbulent eddies that form and drift away from the dege of the "Great Red Spot"Explanation
The turbulent eddies that form and drift away from the edge of the "Great Red Spot" provide evidence for the interaction between the "Great Red Spot" and the adjacent "zonal flow". These eddies suggest that there is a dynamic exchange of energy and momentum between the two systems, causing the formation and movement of these turbulent features. This indicates that the "Great Red Spot" and the adjacent "zonal flow" are not independent of each other but rather influence each other's behavior.Rate this question:
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- 12.
The "white ovals" seen on Jupiter are white because:
- A.
They form a deep vortex that exposes the white "water ice" cloud layer
- B.
They have very high cloud tops
- C.
They mix the cloud colors giving a net "white" appearance
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. They have very high cloud topsExplanation
The "white ovals" seen on Jupiter are white because they have very high cloud tops. The high cloud tops allow sunlight to reflect off the clouds, creating a bright white appearance. This is similar to how high-altitude clouds on Earth appear white. The other options, such as forming a deep vortex or mixing cloud colors, do not explain why the ovals specifically appear white.Rate this question:
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- 13.
The "brown ovals" seen on Jupiter are brown because:
- A.
They form a deep vortex that exposes the low lying "brown" cloud layer(s)
- B.
They have very high clouds tops
- C.
They mix the cloud colors giving a net "brown" appearance
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
A. They form a deep vortex that exposes the low lying "brown" cloud layer(s)Explanation
The brown ovals seen on Jupiter are brown because they form a deep vortex that exposes the low lying "brown" cloud layer(s). This means that the swirling motion of the vortex brings the lower, brown-colored clouds to the surface, giving the ovals their brown appearance. The high clouds tops and mixing of cloud colors are not the main reasons for their brown color.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Jupiter's strong magnetic field is believed to be a consequence of:
- A.
Permanent magnetic materials (like iron) in the rocky core
- B.
Extensive cloud layers that inhibit charged particles from the Sun from reaching the interior of Jupiter
- C.
Rapid rotation and an extensive, highly conductive, fluid region in the interior of Jupiter
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. Rapid rotation and an extensive, highly conductive, fluid region in the interior of JupiterExplanation
Jupiter's strong magnetic field is believed to be a consequence of its rapid rotation and the presence of an extensive, highly conductive, fluid region in its interior. The rapid rotation generates electric currents within the fluid region, creating a dynamo effect that generates a magnetic field. This magnetic field is further amplified by the highly conductive nature of the fluid region. The presence of permanent magnetic materials in the rocky core or the inhibition of charged particles from the Sun by cloud layers are not the primary factors contributing to Jupiter's strong magnetic field.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Jupiter's excess heat is thought to be the result of:
- A.
Remnant heat from its formation
- B.
(slow) continuing gravitational contraction
- C.
Low thermal conductivity of the gaseous outer layers of the planet
- D.
All of the above
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
The excess heat on Jupiter is believed to be caused by a combination of factors. Firstly, it could be due to remnant heat from the planet's formation, as the process of its creation would have generated a significant amount of heat. Additionally, the slow gravitational contraction of Jupiter could also contribute to the excess heat. As the planet continues to contract, gravitational energy is converted into heat. Lastly, the low thermal conductivity of Jupiter's gaseous outer layers could trap and retain heat, further contributing to the excess heat. Therefore, all of the above factors are thought to be responsible for Jupiter's excess heat.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Oct 24, 2008Quiz Created by
Naspah
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