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Asteroid and Comet Geology

Description: Test your knowledge about the geological characteristics and processes associated with asteroids and comets.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: asteroid geology comet geology space exploration
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

What is the primary composition of asteroids?

  1. Rock and metal

  2. Ice and dust

  3. Gas and plasma

  4. Water and organic compounds


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Asteroids are primarily composed of rock and metal, with varying proportions of silicates, metals, and other minerals.

Which type of asteroid is known for its metallic composition?

  1. S-type

  2. M-type

  3. C-type

  4. V-type


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

M-type asteroids are known for their metallic composition, primarily consisting of iron and nickel.

What is the largest asteroid in the solar system?

  1. Ceres

  2. Vesta

  3. Pallas

  4. Hygiea


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

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

Which comet is known for its exceptionally long tail?

  1. Hale-Bopp

  2. Hyakutake

  3. Shoemaker-Levy 9

  4. Kohoutek


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Hale-Bopp is known for its exceptionally long tail, which was visible in the night sky for 18 months.

What is the primary component of comet tails?

  1. Dust

  2. Gas

  3. Plasma

  4. Ice particles


Correct Option:
Explanation:

Comet tails are primarily composed of dust and gas, which are expelled from the comet's nucleus as it approaches the Sun.

Which cometary phenomenon occurs when a comet passes close to the Sun?

  1. Sublimation

  2. Outgassing

  3. Disintegration

  4. Fragmentation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sublimation occurs when a comet passes close to the Sun, causing the ice in its nucleus to vaporize and release gas and dust.

What is the term for the solid, icy core of a comet?

  1. Nucleus

  2. Coma

  3. Tail

  4. Corona


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The nucleus is the solid, icy core of a comet, which contains frozen gases, dust, and other materials.

Which cometary phenomenon is characterized by a bright, glowing head surrounding the nucleus?

  1. Coma

  2. Tail

  3. Corona

  4. Halo


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The coma is a bright, glowing head surrounding the nucleus of a comet, which is formed by the sublimation of gases and dust.

What is the term for the stream of particles and gas emitted from a comet's nucleus?

  1. Coma

  2. Tail

  3. Corona

  4. Halo


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The tail is the stream of particles and gas emitted from a comet's nucleus, which is formed by the interaction of solar radiation and the comet's atmosphere.

Which cometary phenomenon is characterized by a faint, diffuse glow around the nucleus?

  1. Coma

  2. Tail

  3. Corona

  4. Halo


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The halo is a faint, diffuse glow around the nucleus of a comet, which is caused by the scattering of sunlight by dust particles.

What is the term for the outermost layer of a comet's atmosphere?

  1. Coma

  2. Tail

  3. Corona

  4. Halo


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The corona is the outermost layer of a comet's atmosphere, which is composed of ionized gas and extends far beyond the visible tail.

Which cometary phenomenon is characterized by a sudden outburst of activity?

  1. Sublimation

  2. Outgassing

  3. Disintegration

  4. Fragmentation


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Fragmentation is a cometary phenomenon characterized by a sudden outburst of activity, during which the comet's nucleus breaks into smaller pieces.

What is the term for the process by which a comet's nucleus loses mass and disintegrates?

  1. Sublimation

  2. Outgassing

  3. Disintegration

  4. Fragmentation


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Disintegration is the process by which a comet's nucleus loses mass and disintegrates, often due to the intense heat and radiation from the Sun.

Which cometary phenomenon is characterized by the release of large amounts of gas and dust?

  1. Sublimation

  2. Outgassing

  3. Disintegration

  4. Fragmentation


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Outgassing is a cometary phenomenon characterized by the release of large amounts of gas and dust from the comet's nucleus, often due to the sublimation of ice.

What is the term for the process by which a comet's nucleus releases gas and dust?

  1. Sublimation

  2. Outgassing

  3. Disintegration

  4. Fragmentation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sublimation is the process by which a comet's nucleus releases gas and dust, often due to the intense heat and radiation from the Sun.

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