Catalogs of Asteroids

Description: This quiz covers the topic of Catalogs of Asteroids. It includes questions related to the history, purpose, and contents of these catalogs, as well as their significance in the study of asteroids.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: astronomy catalogs of asteroids asteroids
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What is the primary purpose of catalogs of asteroids?

  1. To track the orbits of asteroids

  2. To identify new asteroids

  3. To determine the physical properties of asteroids

  4. To study the composition of asteroids


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The primary purpose of catalogs of asteroids is to track the orbits of asteroids, allowing astronomers to monitor their movements and predict their future positions.

Which catalog is considered the most comprehensive and authoritative source of information on asteroids?

  1. The Minor Planet Center

  2. The Lowell Observatory Near-Earth Object Search

  3. The Catalina Sky Survey

  4. The Spacewatch Project


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Minor Planet Center is considered the most comprehensive and authoritative source of information on asteroids, maintaining a database of over 1 million known asteroids and providing data on their orbits, physical properties, and other characteristics.

What is the approximate number of known asteroids in our solar system?

  1. Over 1 million

  2. Over 10 million

  3. Over 100 million

  4. Over 1 billion


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

As of 2023, there are over 1 million known asteroids in our solar system, with new discoveries being made regularly.

Which asteroid is the largest in our solar system?

  1. Ceres

  2. Vesta

  3. Pallas

  4. Hygiea


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

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

What is the name of the first asteroid to be discovered?

  1. Ceres

  2. Pallas

  3. Juno

  4. Vesta


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ceres was the first asteroid to be discovered, in 1801 by Giuseppe Piazzi.

Which asteroid is known for its unusual shape, resembling a peanut?

  1. Eros

  2. Ida

  3. Gaspra

  4. Phobos


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Eros is known for its unusual shape, resembling a peanut, and was the first asteroid to be visited by a spacecraft (NEAR Shoemaker).

What is the name of the asteroid that collided with Jupiter in 1994, creating a series of dark spots on the planet's surface?

  1. Shoemaker-Levy 9

  2. Hyakutake

  3. Hale-Bopp

  4. Swift-Tuttle


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Shoemaker-Levy 9 was the asteroid that collided with Jupiter in 1994, creating a series of dark spots on the planet's surface.

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 is known for its two small moons, Phobos and Deimos.

What is the name of the asteroid that is the target of the OSIRIS-REx mission, which aims to return a sample of its material to Earth?

  1. Bennu

  2. Ryugu

  3. Itokawa

  4. Hayabusa


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Bennu is the asteroid that is the target of the OSIRIS-REx mission, which aims to return a sample of its material to Earth.

Which asteroid is known for its high concentration of precious metals, such as platinum and gold?

  1. Psyche

  2. Vesta

  3. Ceres

  4. Pallas


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Psyche is known for its high concentration of precious metals, such as platinum and gold.

What is the name of the asteroid that is the largest Trojan asteroid, sharing Jupiter's orbit?

  1. Eurybates

  2. Patroclus

  3. Hector

  4. Achilles


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Hector is the name of the asteroid that is the largest Trojan asteroid, sharing Jupiter's orbit.

Which asteroid is known for its rapid rotation, completing a full rotation in just 4 hours?

  1. Eros

  2. Ida

  3. Gaspra

  4. Phobos


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Eros is known for its rapid rotation, completing a full rotation in just 4 hours.

What is the name of the asteroid that is the target of the Hayabusa2 mission, which successfully returned a sample of its material to Earth in 2020?

  1. Ryugu

  2. Bennu

  3. Itokawa

  4. Hayabusa


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ryugu is the name of the asteroid that is the target of the Hayabusa2 mission, which successfully returned a sample of its material to Earth in 2020.

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

  1. Ceres

  2. Vesta

  3. Pallas

  4. Hygiea


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ceres is known for its unusual composition, containing a significant amount of water ice.

What is the name of the asteroid that is the target of the Lucy mission, which aims to explore a group of Trojan asteroids sharing Jupiter's orbit?

  1. Eurybates

  2. Patroclus

  3. Hector

  4. Achilles


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Eurybates is the name of the asteroid that is the target of the Lucy mission, which aims to explore a group of Trojan asteroids sharing Jupiter's orbit.

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