29:52 Characteristics and Origins of the Solar System
Second Sample Exam
October 18, 2000
Take a look at these questions, which are meant, in some general sense, to be indicative of the test questions. Come see me on Thursday, October 19, at 2:30, or Friday, October 20, at 1:00PM, if you have questions.

1. The crater Chicxulub on Yucatan, is as large as the largest craters on the Moon (aside from the impact basins). Why is this fact somewhat strange?
2. The Valley Networks on Mars are believed to have been formed about 3.5 billion years ago. What is the basis for this opinion?
3. You are responsible for sending a spacecraft to Jupiter. Draw the orbit (make this a fairly decent drawing) and calculate the time for the trip.
4. Describe how we can distinguish between (relatively) young and (relatively) old craters on the Moon.
5. Describe the differences (if any) between the lunar Appenines on the Moon and mountain ranges on Earth, such as the Himalyas.
6. How old are the oldest samples returned from the Moon?
7. Suppose that a spacecraft returns photographs of a solar system object that had not previously been seen in any detail. Discuss in about a paragraph or so how we can deduce something about the geological history of this object.
8. Congratulations! You have been chosen as the head of NASA's Mars Exploration Program (even though your major is comparative literature). What kind of mission would you choose, i.e. where on Mars would you send it, what kind of measurements would you make, etc.?
9. Describe what is meant by the term "Age of Bombardment".
10. What do we mean by "extinction events" on Earth. Discuss them and links to astronomical events.
11. In about two paragraphs, describe the planet Mars and compare its properties to that of Earth.
12. In about two paragraphs, describe the planet Venus and compare its properties to that of Earth.
13. Based on what you have learned about the terrestrial planets, consider the following. A planet is found orbiting the solar-type star 18 Scorpii at a distance of about 1 astronomical unit from the star. The observations can't resolve features on the surface; all we have is the light from the planet. You can make any kind of measurement you want with the light however, brightness, color, spectrum, changes with time, etc. How would you go about determining if this planet is like the Earth, or its more sterile siblings?
14. The textbook discusses the fact that Venus apparently underwent a planetary-wide volcanic event 500 million years ago, and has been geologically dormant since. What is the evidence for this, given that very few of us were around back then, and that the planet is covered with clouds?
15. Next summer Mars will be at opposition, when it is 0.45 astronomical units away. Describe how much of what we discussed in class would be visible if you make telescopic observations at that time.
16. Describe in about two paragraphs a recent finding about Mars. By recent, I mean within the past 5 years.

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