Astronomy Quiz on Galaxies and Space Probes

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes an astronomer?

A person who studies physics

A person who studies Earth

A person who studies the universe (correct)

A mathematician

The Milky Way Galaxy is the only galaxy in the universe.

False

What is the primary purpose of space probes?

To gather data from space.

The __________ is the closest galaxy to the Milky Way.

Andromeda Galaxy Signup and view all the answers

Match the following galaxies with their characteristics:

Cigar Galaxy = Known for its elongated shape Sombrero Galaxy = Resembles a wide-brimmed hat Sunflower Galaxy = Has a spiral structure that looks like petals Cartwheel Galaxy = Features a ring structure Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum expected communication period for Voyager after entering interstellar space?

Until 2030 Signup and view all the answers

Voyager 1 holds a golden record onboard to communicate with potential extraterrestrial beings.

True Signup and view all the answers

What astronomical feature was captured in one of Voyager 1's last photos?

Earth Signup and view all the answers

Satellites detect __________ which includes air quality, light pollution, and vegetation cover.

environmental data Signup and view all the answers

Match the satellite to its primary purpose:

Hubble Telescope = Gather data on other galaxies James Webb Telescope = Infrared observations of the universe Voyager = Communication with potential extraterrestrial life Satellites = Climate and weather monitoring Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon shows evidence of climate change affecting coral presence?

Diminished coral due to climate change Signup and view all the answers

Satellites create space junk, with around 3400 of the 6500 satellites currently around Earth being inactive.

True Signup and view all the answers

What specific marine feature on Mars indicates a past presence of water?

Jezero Crater Signup and view all the answers

The __________ telescope is known as Hubble's successor and features a gold mirror that is 21 feet.

James Webb Signup and view all the answers

What effect has irrigation had on the Aral Sea?

It has led to the near destruction of the Aral Sea. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Astronomy

Astronomy is the study of the universe and everything within it.
Al-Biruni (973 BCE – 1048 CE) was an Iranian polymath, astronomer, and more.
Learning goals include knowing the major components of the universe.

Definitions

Astronomy: The study of the universe.
Astronomer: A person who studies astronomy.
Universe: Everything that exists, including stars, dust and galaxies, and made up of the elements found on the periodic table.

Parts of the Universe

The universe contains galaxies.
Galaxies contain billions of stars and planets.
Example galaxies include: Cigar Galaxy, Sombrero Galaxy, Sunflower Galaxy, Cartwheel Galaxy, and Andromeda Galaxy (the galaxy nearest to ours).
Our solar system is located in the Milky Way Galaxy.

The Milky Way Galaxy

The Milky Way Galaxy is shaped like a spiral.
It contains a black hole in its center (called Sagittarius A*).
Black holes have immense gravity, so not even light can escape.
Spiral galaxies can be distorted when they collide with other galaxies.
Merging galaxies can create supermassive black holes.
The Milky Way Galaxy contains billions of stars.
Stars have solar systems of planets, asteroids, and dust orbiting them.

Gathering Data: Space Probes

Space probes are unpiloted devices sent from Earth into space.
They can land on objects or float in space.
Most space probes transmit information by radio.
Space probes must be able to handle extreme environments.
Probes gather data about temperature, light, elemental composition, and more.
Examples of space probes that explored the outer planets include Voyager 1 and 2, Pioneer 10 & 11, Cassini, Galileo, and New Horizons.
Voyager 1 and 2 were launched in 1977, and their primary mission was supposed to last for four years, but they are still operating in interstellar space.
Voyager 1 and 2 have each exited the Heliosphere (region where the Sun's influence affects our solar system), with data returning to Earth.
The Voyager probes carry golden records containing sounds and images of Earth, in hopes that any extraterrestrial life forms that find them will learn more about humanity.
Data about planets gathered by space probes has helped identify similarities/differences between Earth and other planets in the solar system.

Gathering Data: Satellites

Satellites orbit planets.
Satellites gather climate data and weather patterns.
Satellites study cloud formations.
Satellites provide military information.
Satellites can detect air quality, fires, clouds, smoke, light pollution, the vegetation cover on the Earth).
Satellites use radio waves (radar) and lasers (Lidar) to collect information.

Telescopes

Hubble Telescope: A satellite that orbits Earth, gathering data about other galaxies. Launched in 1990.
James Webb Telescope: Hubble's successor, launched in 2021. It has a large gold mirror which is 21 feet wide, enabling it to gather more information than Hubble. It is designed to detect infrared light which can allow for visualization of older galaxies.
High Definition Space Telescope (HDST): A future telescope with a much larger mirror than James Webb, is currently under design.

Dark Matter

Dark matter is matter in the universe that's invisible.
It neither emits or absorbs light or any other type of radiation (like x-rays, or infrared), so it cannot be directly observed with a telescope.
Dark matter accounts for about 25% of the universe.
Most of the universe's gravity is thought to be produced by dark matter.

Other Data Points

Scientists are developing plans for the next telescope, the High Definition Space Telescope (HDST).
The Aral Sea has been nearly destroyed by irrigation processes used for cotton crops.
Climate change has resulted in a loss of land and increased flooding in coastal areas.
River deltas have been discovered on Mars.
There is a significant amount of space junk (debris from satellites) in space.
Slime molds are being used to map the "cosmic web" and to find dark matter.

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Description

Test your knowledge about galaxies, space probes, and important astronomical features. This quiz covers key concepts such as the Milky Way, communication with extraterrestrial beings, and climate change impacts visible from space. Challenge yourself and discover how well you understand our universe!