Transcript GLG101online_16B_Planetary_MCC_Leighty

Planetary Geology
GLG 101 - Physical Geology
Bob Leighty
These notes and web links are your primary “lecture” content in this class.
Additionally, various articles are assigned each week to supplement this “lecture”
information. I believe you’ll have enough information to reference without having
to purchase a costly textbook.
These lecture notes are very similar to the ones I use in my traditional classes.
You’ll find they are loaded with imagery and streamlined text that highlight the
most essential terms and concepts. The notes provide a framework for learning
and, by themselves, are not meant to be a comprehensive source of information.
To take advantage of the global knowledge base known as the Internet, I have
included numerous hyperlinks to external web sites (like the Wikipedia, USGS,
NASA, etc.). Follow the links and scan them for relevant info. The information
from linked web sites is meant to supplement and reinforce the lecture notes –
you won’t be responsible for knowing everything contained in them.
As a distance learning student, you need to explore and understand the content
more independently than in a traditional class. As always, I will help guide you
through this learning adventure. Remember, email Dr. Bob if you have any
questions about today’s lecture ([email protected]).
Leave no questions behind!
Explore and have fun!
Planetary
Geology
Planetary Geology Game Show
 Instead of a “lecture”, I thought I’d summarize your last topic
of the semester in a game show format.
 GLG 105 (Intro to Planetary Science Lecture+Lab) is another
action-packed traditional/online class that has a lot more
Planetary info.
Planetary
Geology
How to Play Planetary Jeopardy!
 Get a sheet of notebook paper; this is your “score sheet”
 In Powerpoint slideshow mode, view the questions. Each question
has four possible answers.
 Answer each question (careful not to peek) and if correct, you
win (virtual) $.
 Keep score (as always, be honest), and add-up $ at the end to
see what you’ve won!
Planetary
Geology
Today’s Categories
Gas Giants
Rocky Planets
Small Bodies
Solar System Grab Bag
Space Exploration
A light-year is a measure of:
a) time
b) distance
c) velocity
d) weight
Answer: b)
$200
What planet did Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9
impact in 1994?
a) Mars
b) Venus
c) Jupiter
d) Saturn
Answer: c)
$600
How many humans have set foot on the Moon?
a) 3
b) 6
c) 12
d) 24
Answer: c)
$800
How did Earth’s moon form?
a) Earth-birth (spun off the Earth)
b) Formed in orbit as Earth formed (coevolution)
c) Moon piracy (captured)
d) Massive impact
Answer: d)
$300
How many extrasolar planets have been discovered
between 1995 and 12/1/05?
a) none
b) 17
c) 170
d) 1,700
Answer: c)
$500
What would happen to you if you walked on Mars
without an environmental suit?
a) you’d be crushed, then vaporize (extreme ATM pressure & heat)
b) you’d decompress, then freeze (low ATM pressure, cold)
c) you’d dissolve (sulfuric acid ATM)
d) Aliens would loan you some of their skivvies
Answer: b)
$300
What moon of Jupiter has active sulfur-rich
volcanoes?
a) Io
b) Europa
c) Ganymede
d) Callisto
Answer: a)
$500
Which of the following are currently exploring Mars?
a) Voyager & Pioneer
b) Apollo & Starbuck
c) Spirit & Opportunity
d) Laverne & Shirley
Answer: c)
$200
What is the Kuiper Belt?
a) a region where many comets originate
b) part of Earth’s magnetic field
c) the band in which Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is located
d) what some get if they’re naughty
Answer: a)
$400
An astronomical unit is:
a) the average Earth-Moon distance
b) the average Earth-Sun distance
c) the average radius of the solar system
d) a pitcher for the world-champion Diamondbacks
Answer: b)
$300
What spacecraft is currently exploring Saturn?
a) Viking
b) Magellan
c) Voyager
d) Cassini
Answer: d)
$400
The largest known volcano in the solar system is
located on:
a) Venus
b) Earth
c) Mars
d) Jupiter
Answer: c)
$400
What is the name of this volcano?
a) Loki Patera
b) Popocatepetl
c) Maat Mons
d) Olympus Mons
Answer: d)
$300
What would happen to you if you walked on Venus
without an environmental suit?
a) you’d be crushed, then melt (extreme ATM pressure & heat)
b) you’d decompress, then freeze (low ATM pressure, cold)
c) you’d get sunburn (intense sunlight)
d) Aliens would loan you some of their skivvies
Answer: a)
$300
How did the Magellan spacecraft map the
cloud-covered surface of Venus?
a) sonar
b) radar
c) infrared
d) a long periscope
Answer: b)
$600
What Jovian moon may have an ocean
of liquid water in its subsurface?
a) Io
b) Europa
c) Ganymede
d) Callisto
Answer: b)
$400
The Deep Impact spacecraft collided with
what kind of Solar System object in 2005?
a) A planet (Pluto)
b) A star (the Sun)
c) An asteroid (Eros)
d) A comet (Temple 1)
Answer: d)
$400
The Moon’s dark areas are underlain mostly by:
a) vast sheets of basaltic lava (flood basalt)
b) vast sheets of volcanic ash
c) carbon-rich soil
d) cheese
Answer: a)
$300
When will the Earth have its closest encounter with
an asteroid in the next 200 years?
a) May 2007
b) July 2020
c) August 2130
d) Jan 2199
Answer: c)
$1000