Astronomy Today Ch. 13 – Flashcards
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What was the first planet discovered by mathematical prediction?
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Neptune
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The extreme seasonal variations on Uranus over the course of a complete orbit around the Sun are due to which of the following?
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The 98° tilt of its rotation axis to its orbital plane
The strange orientation of Uranus's rotation axis produces extreme seasonal effects.
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Which planet has the greatest tilt of its rotation axis?
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Which planet has the greatest tilt of its rotation axis?
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Why is Neptune bluer than Uranus?
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I has more methane
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What is the most significant difference between the Great Dark Spot of Neptune and the Great Red Spot of Jupiter?
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The Great Dark Spot has disappeared, whereas the Great Red Spot has been seen for hundreds of years
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What substance is responsible for the colors of Neptune and Uranus?
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Methane
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Which of the following statements is NOT true about the magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune?
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They are stronger than the magnetic field of Jupiter.
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What evidence suggests that Triton is a captured moon?
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It has a retrograde, highly inclined orbit.
Triton's peculiar orbit suggests that it did not form as part of the Neptunian system but instead was captured.
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Miranda's appearance suggests which of the following statements?
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It has been catastrophically disrupted and reassembled several times.
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All but one of the following properties of Uranus's rings makes them different from the rings of Saturn. Which property is the same for both planets?
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They are very thin.
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Why did astronomers suspect there was an eighth planet beyond Uranus?
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Irregularities in the motion of Uranus suggested that gravity from another planet was affecting it.
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In 1781, Uranus was the first new planet to be discovered in how many years?
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more than 2000
