Asteroids: The Rocky Wanderers

Description: Asteroids: The Rocky Wanderers
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: asteroids comets meteors astronomy
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What is the largest known asteroid in the solar system?

  1. Ceres

  2. Vesta

  3. Pallas

  4. Juno


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ceres is the largest known asteroid in the solar system, with a diameter of approximately 950 kilometers.

Which asteroid is known for its distinctive shape, resembling a dog bone?

  1. Eros

  2. Ida

  3. Gaspra

  4. Phobos


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Eros is an asteroid with an elongated, dog bone-like shape. It was the first asteroid to be visited by a spacecraft, NEAR Shoemaker, in 2000.

Which asteroid is the target of the Dawn mission, launched in 2007?

  1. Vesta

  2. Ceres

  3. Pallas

  4. Juno


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Dawn mission was launched in 2007 to study the asteroid Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres. It arrived at Vesta in 2011 and Ceres in 2015.

Which asteroid is known for its two small moons, Phobos and Deimos?

  1. Mars

  2. Jupiter

  3. Saturn

  4. Uranus


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos, which are thought to be captured asteroids.

What is the name of the asteroid that collided with Earth 66 million years ago, causing the extinction of the dinosaurs?

  1. Chicxulub

  2. Yucatan

  3. Shiva

  4. Tunguska


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Chicxulub impactor was an asteroid that collided with Earth 66 million years ago, creating a crater in the Gulf of Mexico and causing the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Which asteroid family is the largest in the solar system, containing over 2000 members?

  1. Flora

  2. Eos

  3. Themis

  4. Vesta


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Flora asteroid family is the largest in the solar system, containing over 2000 members.

What is the name of the asteroid that was visited by the Hayabusa spacecraft in 2005 and returned samples to Earth in 2010?

  1. Itokawa

  2. Ryugu

  3. Bennu

  4. Eros


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Hayabusa spacecraft visited the asteroid Itokawa in 2005 and returned samples to Earth in 2010.

Which asteroid is known for its high metal content and is considered a potential source of valuable metals?

  1. Psyche

  2. Vesta

  3. Ceres

  4. Pallas


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The asteroid Psyche is known for its high metal content and is considered a potential source of valuable metals, such as iron and nickel.

What is the name of the asteroid that was visited by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in 2018 and is scheduled to return samples to Earth in 2023?

  1. Bennu

  2. Ryugu

  3. Itokawa

  4. Eros


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft visited the asteroid Bennu in 2018 and is scheduled to return samples to Earth in 2023.

Which asteroid is known for its rapid rotation, completing one full rotation in just 4.3 hours?

  1. Eros

  2. Ida

  3. Gaspra

  4. Phobos


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The asteroid Eros is known for its rapid rotation, completing one full rotation in just 4.3 hours.

What is the name of the asteroid that was visited by the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft in 1997 and became the first asteroid to be orbited by a spacecraft?

  1. Eros

  2. Ida

  3. Gaspra

  4. Phobos


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft visited the asteroid Eros in 1997 and became the first spacecraft to orbit an asteroid.

Which asteroid is known for its two large craters, thought to be caused by impacts from other asteroids?

  1. Vesta

  2. Ceres

  3. Pallas

  4. Juno


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The asteroid Vesta is known for its two large craters, thought to be caused by impacts from other asteroids.

What is the name of the asteroid that was visited by the Dawn mission in 2015 and is the largest object in the asteroid belt?

  1. Ceres

  2. Vesta

  3. Pallas

  4. Juno


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Dawn mission visited the asteroid Ceres in 2015, which is the largest object in the asteroid belt.

Which asteroid is known for its unusual composition, containing a large amount of water ice?

  1. Ceres

  2. Vesta

  3. Pallas

  4. Juno


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The asteroid Ceres is known for its unusual composition, containing a large amount of water ice.

What is the name of the asteroid that was visited by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft in 2018 and is scheduled to return samples to Earth in 2020?

  1. Ryugu

  2. Bennu

  3. Itokawa

  4. Eros


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft visited the asteroid Ryugu in 2018 and is scheduled to return samples to Earth in 2020.

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