AnswersAZ-Earth and Space Science AOther Objects in the Solar System

Other Objects in the Solar System Answers

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A scientist discovers a deep bowl-like divot under the ocean off the coast of eastern Mexico that is many kilometers across. The layers of the ground all around the continent from around the time that structure formed contain large amounts of iridium and a larger number of fossils than is normally found. What most likely caused the bowl-like structure?

A
a comet
B
a meteorite
C
an iridium spike
D
a Kuiper object impact
2
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Mischka is an amateur astronomer. Using her telescope, she looks out past the Earth’s atmosphere and observes an object with a long, bright, cloud-like tail behind it. What is Mischka observing?

A
an asteroid
B
a meteorite
C
a comet
D
a meteoroid
3

Which of the following are dwarf planets? Check all that apply.CeresNamakaErisCharonHaumeaMakemakePluto

A
Ceres
B
Namaka
C
Eris
D
Charon
E
Haumea
F
Makemake
G
Pluto
4

In a Venn diagram, the separate circles contain characteristics unique to each item being compared and the intersections contain characteristics that are common to both items being compared. This Venn diagram compares meteoroids, asteroids, and comets.

Question illustration
A
A 4 row table. Row 1: Brown section, Center area common to all circles, Rock or dust based space object. Row 2: Yellow circle, Top circle, Made of nickel and iron. Row 3: Red circle, Bottom right circle, between 1 kilometer and 900 kilometers in size. Row 4: Blue circle, Bottom left circle, Generate a coma as they head toward the sun.
Option A
B
A 4 row table. Row 1: Brown section, Center area common to all circles, Between 1 kilometer and 900 kilometers in size. Row 2: Yellow circle, Top circle, Made only of iridium. Row 3: Red circle, Bottom right circle, Rock or dust based space object. Row 4: Blue circle, Bottom left circle, Generate a coma as they head away from the sun.
Option B
C
A 4 row table. Row 1: Brown section, Center area common to all circles, Rock or dust based space object. Row 2: Yellow circle, Top circle, Between 1 kilometer and 900 kilometers in size. Row 3: Red circle, Bottom right circle, Generate a coma as they head toward the sun. Row 4: Blue circle, Bottom left circle, Made of nickel and iron.
Option C
D
A 4 row table. Row 1: Brown section, Center area common to all circles, Between 1 kilometer and 900 kilometers in size. Row 2: Yellow circle, Top circle, Generate a coma as they head away from the sun. Row 3: Red circle, Bottom right circle, Rock or dust based space object. Row 4: Blue circle, Bottom left circle, Made only of iridium.
Option D
5

Abdid is an astronomer who has been observing objects that orbit the Sun in the asteroid belt. He finds a previously undiscovered round, rocky object that is not similar in shape to the rest of the asteroids. What has Abdid most likely found?

A
a new dwarf planet
B
a new asteroid
C
a new moon
D
a new comet
6

Which statement about dwarf planet locations is correct?

A
Eris is found in the Kuiper Belt and Makemake, Haumea, Ceres, and Pluto are found in the asteroid belt.
B
Ceres is found in the asteroid belt and Eris, Makemake, Haumea, and Pluto are found in the Kuiper Belt.
C
Ceres and Pluto are found in the Kuiper Belt and Makemake, Eris, and Haumea are found in the asteroid belt.
D
Haumea and Makemake are found in the asteroid belt and Pluto, Ceres, and Eris are found in the Kuiper Belt.
7

A scientist discovers a new body between the orbit of Neptune and the Kuiper Belt. The object is round and travels in an orbit around Neptune with other space objects. The scientist claims that she has found a new dwarf planet. Where is the scientist’s error?

A
The object is an asteroid, not a dwarf planet.
B
The object is a moon, not a dwarf planet.
C
The object is not a dwarf planet because it travels with other objects.
D
The object is not a dwarf planet because it is round.
8

A scientist is tracking an object orbiting the Sun that is found between Mars and Jupiter. Which additional feature can be used to determine the object is an asteroid?

A
produces a coma
B
has an irregular shape
C
has a tail of ice and dust
D
produces a streak of light
9

Iridium is a substance found only in asteroids and other space objects. This graph shows the amount of Iridium found in different sediment layers of Earth. They are marked off into 17 sections representing time.

Question illustration
A
A massive volcano erupted, causing global warming and lava flow, which in turn caused mass extinction.
B
More iridium was produced by space objects and dumped by local factories.
C
The impact of a space object led to the deposit of a layer of sediment high in iridium.
D
Fewer impacts lead to a drop in iridium levels and a mass extinction caused by a lack of sunshine.
10

What is a small, rocky object that orbits the Sun and is usually found in a belt between Mars and Jupiter?

A
asteroid
B
comet
C
meteor
D
meteorite
11

65 million years ago there was a mass extinction that is best known for killing the dinosaurs. There was also a large deposit of dust that contained substances only found in asteroids. What most likely killed off the dinosaurs?

A
An asteroid impact caused the Sun to be blocked.
B
They were crushed by an asteroid.
C
The water supplies were polluted.
D
Mammals evolved to be better competitors.
12

A comet is a

A
meteoroid that travels through Earth’s atmosphere and hits the surface.
B
meteoroid that burns up in Earth’s atmosphere, producing a streak of light.
C
small, rocky object that orbits the Sun and is usually found in a belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
D
small object made of ice and dust that orbits the Sun and forms a coma as it approaches the Sun.
13

A scientist discovers a new object in the Kuiper Belt and claims it is a dwarf planet. What would have to be true about the object for the scientist to be correct?

A
The object would have to be irregularly shaped, have an atmosphere, and be traveling in a path with other objects.
B
The object would have to be irregularly shaped, orbit the Sun, and be traveling in a path free from other objects.
C
The object would have to be spherical, orbit the Sun, and be traveling in a path with other objects.
D
The object would have to be spherical, have an atmosphere, and be traveling in a path free from other objects.
14

Which term specifically describes small chunks of rocks and debris in space that travel through the Earth’s atmosphere and hit its surface?

A
meteorites
B
meteoroids
C
meteors
D
meteorides
15

Where is the Oort cloud located?

A
in the innermost region of the solar system, closest to the Sun
B
in the outermost region of the solar system, beyond Neptune
C
in the region between the Kuiper belt and the scattered disk
D
in the region beyond Neptune, but closer to the Sun than the Kuiper belt

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