AST: OVERVIEW OF OUR PLANETARY SYSTEM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+
What is the most important reason that astronomers have learned more
about our planetary system in the last 30-40 years than all of history
before then. Ans✓✓✓We have been able to send spacecraft to gather
information about planets and moons up close.
The planet closest to the Sun in the solar system is: Ans✓✓✓Mercury
Which planet in the solar system has not been examined by spacecraft
instruments that have either flown by or orbited them? Ans✓✓✓
In the far future, a visiting tourist from another planetary system asks to
see the most massive object in our solar system. Where would you take
him/her/it? Ans✓✓✓the Sun
All the planets (without exception) Ans✓✓✓revolve around the Sun in
the same direction
The first trans-Neptunian object astronomers found (in 1930) is called
Ans✓✓✓Pluto
Which of the following ways that jovian (giant) planets differ from the
terrestrial planets is NOT CORRECT? Ans✓✓✓jovians (being larger)
rotate significantly more slowly than terrestrials
, Which of the following is NOT a terrestrial planet? Ans✓✓✓Jupiter
You are the captain of an interplanetary tour ship and a wealthy tourist
from Texas asks you to take him to see only the "largest darn planets" in
the solar system. Which of the following would you NOT include in
your tour? Ans✓✓✓Mercury
Which of the following characteristics do all four terrestrial planets have
in common? Ans✓✓✓they all have solid surfaces with signs of
geological activity on them
Of the following planets, which do NOT have satellites (moons)?
Ans✓✓✓Venus
Generally, planets and moons in our solar system are named after
Ans✓✓✓gods and goddesses from mythology
The smaller objects in the solar system made of rock and metal (most of
which orbit between Jupiter and Mars) are called: Ans✓✓✓asteroids
The smaller objects in the solar system composed mainly of ices (frozen
gases) that usually orbit far from the Sun are called: Ans✓✓✓comets
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+
What is the most important reason that astronomers have learned more
about our planetary system in the last 30-40 years than all of history
before then. Ans✓✓✓We have been able to send spacecraft to gather
information about planets and moons up close.
The planet closest to the Sun in the solar system is: Ans✓✓✓Mercury
Which planet in the solar system has not been examined by spacecraft
instruments that have either flown by or orbited them? Ans✓✓✓
In the far future, a visiting tourist from another planetary system asks to
see the most massive object in our solar system. Where would you take
him/her/it? Ans✓✓✓the Sun
All the planets (without exception) Ans✓✓✓revolve around the Sun in
the same direction
The first trans-Neptunian object astronomers found (in 1930) is called
Ans✓✓✓Pluto
Which of the following ways that jovian (giant) planets differ from the
terrestrial planets is NOT CORRECT? Ans✓✓✓jovians (being larger)
rotate significantly more slowly than terrestrials
, Which of the following is NOT a terrestrial planet? Ans✓✓✓Jupiter
You are the captain of an interplanetary tour ship and a wealthy tourist
from Texas asks you to take him to see only the "largest darn planets" in
the solar system. Which of the following would you NOT include in
your tour? Ans✓✓✓Mercury
Which of the following characteristics do all four terrestrial planets have
in common? Ans✓✓✓they all have solid surfaces with signs of
geological activity on them
Of the following planets, which do NOT have satellites (moons)?
Ans✓✓✓Venus
Generally, planets and moons in our solar system are named after
Ans✓✓✓gods and goddesses from mythology
The smaller objects in the solar system made of rock and metal (most of
which orbit between Jupiter and Mars) are called: Ans✓✓✓asteroids
The smaller objects in the solar system composed mainly of ices (frozen
gases) that usually orbit far from the Sun are called: Ans✓✓✓comets
