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Describe the protoplanet nebular model of the origin of the solar system.Which part or parts of this model seem least credible to you? Explain. What information could you look for today that would cause you to accept or modify this least credible part of the model? |
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What are the basic differences between the terrestrial planets and the giant planets? Describe how the protoplanet nebular model accounts for these differences. |
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Describe the surface and atmospheric conditions on Mars. |
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What evidence exists that Mars at one time had abundant liquid water? If Mars did have liquid water at one time, what happened to it and why? |
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Describe the internal structure of Jupiter and Saturn. |
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What are the rings of Saturn? Name other planets that have ring structures. |
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Describe some of the unusual features found on the moons of Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune. |
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What are the similarities and the differences between the Sun and Jupiter? |
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Give one idea about why the Great Red Spot exists on Jupiter. Does the existence of a similar spot on Saturn support or not support this idea? Explain. |
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What is so unusual about the motions and orbits of Venus, Uranus, and Pluto? |
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What evidence exists today that the number of rocks and rock particles floating around in the solar system was much greater in the past soon after the planets formed? |
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Explain why oxygen is a major component of Earth's atmosphere but not the atmospheres of Venus or Mars. |
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Using the properties of the planets other than Earth, discuss the possibilities of life on each. |
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What are "shooting stars"? Where do they come from? Where do they go? |
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What is an asteroid? What evidence indicates that asteroids are parts of a broken-up planet? What evidence indicates that asteroids are not parts of a broken-up planet? |
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Where do comets come from? Why are astronomers so interested in studying the physical and chemical structure of a comet? |
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What is a meteor? What is the most likely source of meteors? |
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What is a meteorite? What is the most likely source of meteorites? |
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19 | |
Technically speaking, what is wrong with calling a rock that strikes the surface of the Moon a meteorite? Again speaking technically, what should you call a rock that strikes the surface of the Moon (or any other planet)? |
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20 | |
If a comet is an icy, dusty body, explain why it appears brightly in the night sky. |
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