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50 practice flashcards covering cosmology, the universe, solar system, dwarf planets, major planets, and minor bodies.
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What does cosmology study?
The origin, evolution, and fate of the universe.
What is Earth Science?
The science that seeks to understand Earth and its neighbors in space.
Name the four main branches of Earth Science.
Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology, and Astronomy.
What does Geology study?
The study of Earth.
What does Oceanography study?
The study of the ocean.
What does Meteorology study?
The atmosphere and the processes that produce weather.
What does Astronomy study?
The universe.
What is the Big Bang Theory?
The widely accepted theory that the universe started from a hot, dense state about 20 billion years ago and expanded.
Who proposed the Big Bang Theory?
Georges Lemaître.
According to the Big Bang, when did the universe begin?
About 20 billion years ago.
What happened to matter and energy in the Big Bang?
They started in a hot, dense state, exploded, and began to spread out; matter and energy formed structures.
What is the Steady State Theory?
The universe has no beginning or end and expands with continuous creation of matter.
Who supported the Steady State Theory?
Fred Hoyle, Thomas Gold, Herman Bondi, et al.
What does D = m/V signify in cosmology?
Density remains constant as new matter is created while expanding.
What is the Observable Universe?
The universe as observed, described as the same at any time and place.
What is the Big Crunch Theory?
A scenario in which the universe ends by collapsing back into itself.
What is the Pulsating Universe?
A model where the universe undergoes infinite cycles of expansion and contraction.
What is Divine Command Theory?
Creationism; the belief that the universe and life originated from divine creation.
What does Genesis 1–2 describe?
God’s creation of the universe in six days and the Garden of Eden.
What is the Universe?
A large expanse of gas, stars, and dust clouds that includes planets and galaxies.
What is the Solar System?
The gravitationally bound system comprising the Sun and objects that orbit it.
What are Terrestrial (inner) planets made of?
Materials with high melting points like silicates, iron, and nickel.
How do inner planets relate to atmospheres?
They rotate slowly and have thin or no atmosphere.
What are Jovian (outer) planets?
Gas giants with thick atmospheres that rotate faster.
When did the IAU classify Pluto as a dwarf planet?
2006.
How many dwarf planets have been found?
Five; with possible estimates up to about 50.
What is Planet Biyo?
A minor planet named after Filipino teacher Dr. Josette Biyo.
Where is Planet 13241 located?
In the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
What is Mercury’s albedo?
6%.
How long is Mercury’s day (rotation)?
88 Earth days.
What is Mercury’s temperature range?
From -300°F to 800°F.
What is Mercury’s atmosphere like?
Very little atmosphere.
How does Venus compare to Earth in size and density?
Similar in size and density.
What is Venus’s atmospheric composition?
Thick clouds of carbon dioxide.
Why is Venus so hot on the surface?
About 900°F due to the greenhouse effect.
How does Venus’s atmospheric pressure compare to Earth’s?
About 90 times that of Earth.
What proverb describes Venus’s conditions relative to Earth?
If Earth is heaven then Venus is hell.
What are Mars’s notable features?
White polar ice caps, a great rift valley, very dry, reddish rock and soil.
How large is Jupiter relative to the other planets?
About 2.5 times larger than all the other planets combined.
How long is a day on Jupiter?
About 10 hours.
What is the Great Red Spot?
A hurricane-like storm with winds around 1000 mph.
What is stated about Jupiter’s surface in the notes?
The surface is described as a liquid hydrogen ocean.
How many total moons does Jupiter have?
61.
Name four moons of Jupiter mentioned in the notes.
Callisto, Ganymede, Io, and Europa.
How long does Saturn take to orbit the Sun?
About 29.5 years.
What is Saturn known for besides its rings?
A system of rings and wind speeds over 1000 mph.
What is Uranus known for?
Polar rings; called the Green Planet; methane in the atmosphere; rotates on its side.
What is Neptune known for?
Twin planet to Uranus; polar rings; methane in the atmosphere; rotates on its side.
What is Pluto’s status and characteristics?
May not be a planet; transition between a comet and a planet; average temp about -35°F; large dirty ice ball; about 248-year orbit.
What are meteoroids and asteroids?
Meteoroids are rocks in space; meteors are when they enter Earth’s atmosphere and meteorites are when they’re found on Earth; meteor showers occur from debris; asteroids are irregular rocky bodies mainly between Mars and Jupiter; largest is Ceres (~620 miles).