Astronomy Assignment
Astronomy Covers- The Terrestrial Planets, Jovian Planets, Jovian Moons
DIRECTIONS: For each section, follow the direction given. (There are 40 questions.)
ATTENTION: There are three extra credit questions at the end.
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Highlight only one answer for each question.
1. The largest of the Terrestrial planets is ……
a. Mercury b. Venus c. Earth d. Mars
2. Which planet has a solid, cold surface with a thin carbon dioxide atmosphere?
a. Mercury b. Venus c. Mars d. Jupiter
3. Which of these planets does not have a solid surface?
a. Mercury b. Jupiter c. Earth d. Venus
4. Which planet has the lowest average density?
a. Earth b. Mercury c. Jupiter d. Saturn
5. Which planet has only two moons?
a. Venus b. Mars c. Neptune d. Mercury
6. Which two planets have no known moons?
a. Mercury & Mars b. Mercury & Venus c. Mars & Venus d. Uranus & Neptune
7. What is the surface temperature (both day and night) of Venus?
a. –210 °F b. 80 °F c. 320 °F d. 900 °F
8. Venus appears yellowish in color because of ……
a. gold dust on the surface. c. iron oxide on the surface.
b. sulfur compounds in the atmosphere. d. methane in the atmosphere.
9. Compared to Earth, the atmospheric pressure on Venus is about ……
a. 1/10 of Earth’s b. the same c. 90 times Earth’s d. 1000 times Earth’s
10. Which planet exhibits the greatest daily temperature range from daytime to nighttime?
a. Mercury b. Venus c. Earth d. Neptune
11. The largest known volcano in the solar system is on ……
a. Venus b. Earth c. Mars d. Io
12. The observed color of Mars is caused by ……
a. dust reflecting red light. c. carbon dioxide reflecting red light.
b. methane in the atmosphere. d. iron oxide or rust in the soil.
TRUE OR FALSE (At the end of each statement, type the word “True” or “False”.)
13. Mars is the third brightest object in the sky.
14. Mars has seasons.
15. The Northern Hemisphere of Mars is older than its Southern Hemisphere.
16. Mercury’s solar day is twice the length of its year.
17. Mercury has a strong magnetic field.
18. Valles Marineris is a prominent surface feature on Mars.
19. Caloris Basin is a huge impact crater on the surface of Venus.
20. The clouds of Venus contain droplets of sulfuric acid.
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Highlight only one answer for each question.
21. The most abundant gases in Jupiter’s atmosphere are ……
a. hydrogen & helium c. hydrogen and oxygen
b. helium and methane d. nitrogen and hydrogen
22. The Great Red Spot of Jupiter is ……
a. the top of an immense volcano. c. a massive accumulation of sulfur.
b. the color of its polar cap. d. a large rotating storm in the atmosphere.
23. The Galilean Moons are the four largest moons of …….
a. Jupiter b. Saturn c. Uranus d. Neptune
24. Which planet has the most extensive ring system?
a. Jupiter b. Saturn c. Uranus d. Neptune
25. Which planet was the first to be discovered with a telescope?
a. Saturn b. Uranus c. Neptune d. Mercury
26. Which two planets have a blue-green or blue color?
a. Mars and Jupiter b. Earth and Mars c. Venus and Mars d. Uranus and Neptune
27. Which planet most closely resembles Earth’s moon?
a. Mercury b. Venus c. Mars d. Neptune
28. Which planet was discovered after its position was mathematically predicted?
a. Mercury b. Saturn c. Uranus d. Neptune
TRUE OR FALSE (At the end of each statement, type the word “True” or “False”.
29. All the Jovian planets have rings.
30. Neptune is the farthest planet from the Sun.
31. Uranus is smaller in diameter than Neptune.
32. The Great Dark Spot in Neptune’s atmosphere is a permanent feature.
33. Jupiter has a very strong magnetic field.
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Highlight only one answer for each question.
34. Phobos and Deimos are the moons of which planet?
a. Mars b. Jupiter c. Neptune d. Uranus
35. The most geologically active moon in the solar system at the present time is ….
a. Phobos b. Ganymede c. Io d. Titan
36. Which is the largest known moon in the solar system?
a. Io b. Ganymede c. Titan d. Triton
37. Which of these moons has lakes of liquid hydrocarbons on its surface?
a. Deimos b. Europa c. Titan d. Io
38. Which is the only moon found to have a dense atmosphere?
a. Io b. Europa c. Titan d. Phobos
39. Which moon has a large impact crater named Herschel and resembles the “Death Star”?
a. Io b. Titan c. Ganymede d. Mimas
40. Which of these moons has active geysers?
a. Phobos b. Triton c. Mimas d. Callisto
EXTRA CREDIT (1 POINT EACH) – TYPE YOUR ANSWER BELOW EACH QUESTION.
1. Name the two moons that are larger than planet Mercury.
2. Which planet’s year (orbit) is shorter than its sidereal day (rotation)?
3. What planet in our solar system is the only one named after a Greek god?
