 | Term | Definition |
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List the Characteristics of a Gas Giant |
1) Low Density - Condensation Theory 2) Magnetic Field - Hydrogen under pressure acts like a metal 3) Many Moons - Large Gravity Field 4) Ring Systems - Roche Limit 5) Cloud Banding - Coriolis Force |
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Draw a Graph of the Density of the Jovian Moons. How does this support the condensation theory? |
Io, Eurpoa, Ganymeade, Callisto |
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Discuss why gas giants may have magnetic fields |
When under high pressure hydrogen assumes a different crystal shape and acts like a metal. Jupiter has a high spin rate. |
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Coriolis Force |
The East/West deflection of a North/South moving particle on a spinning planet. |
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Characteristics of a Ring System |
1) Gaps - Gravitational Resonance 2) Shepard Moons - Captured Asteroids 3) Spokes - Density Waves. |
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Roche Limit |
That point where tidal and gravity forces are equal |
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Cassini Division |
The gap caused by Titan |
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Titan |
A moon of Saturn |
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Triple Point |
When the gas, liquid, and solid state of something may exist at the same time |
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Discuss why Io has volcanoes |
Jupiter's gravity fields plus the varying field of the other moons causes Io to 'flex'. This produces the heat that gives Io volcanoes. |
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How does Io allow us to probe Jupiter's magnetic field? |
Charged sulfur particles interact with Jupiter's field. By measuring the sulfur spectra we 'see' the magnetic field. |
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Discuss why Europa has the best chance of supporting life (other than Earth). |
1) Black smokers on earth show sulfur-based life. 2) Gravity 'flex' on Europa will produce heat |
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Discuss why Titan might support life. |
The earth has water at Triple Point which Titan has methane at Triple Point. With an atmosphere and liquid the conditions are like Earth. However, cold temperatures make life less likely. |
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Show the Mathematics of the Roche Limit |
1) Pulling Apart Forces : ΔF = 2) Pulling Together Force : Fg = When ΔF = Fg, you are at the Roche Limit. |
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Draw and Discuss Shepards Moons |
The moons M1, M2 will move ring particles toward the center of their mutual orbits. |
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Discuss ' Spokes ' and what they say about ring particle orbits. |
This is explained by having ring particles in elliptical orbits. |
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Discuss the Great Red Spot |
This is a 'storm' that has been observed for 300 years on Jupiter. This suggests an attractor exists in an chaotic system. |
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Triton |
Moon of Neptune |
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Chaotic System |
A system with many variables highly dependent upon initial conditions. |
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Attractor |
Something which holds a chaotic system to one solution. |
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Discuss Neptune's Great Dark Spot. |
A flyby observed a 'storm' like the great red spot of Jupiter. Ten years later the hubble did not see it. Thus we may be able to determine the form of the attractor. |
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Draw the Stellar Occulation Graph for Neptune. Why was it Important? |
It showed that the ring system of Neptune had breaks. This forced data taking at Neptune to change. |
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Discuss the major difficulties of taking data near Neptune. |
1) Low Light Levels. 2) Flyby equals few pictures 3) Speed of light equals an eight hour delay. |
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Discuss the problems posed by Neptune and its moons. |
Triton: Large moon in retro-grade orbit. Neried: Highly ellipitical orbit. Nemisis: A possible 10th planet. Magnetic Field: Tilted with respect to the spin axis. |
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Compare the ring systems of the gas giants |
Jupiter: Many large moon 'gap out' a ring system. Neptune: Ring arcs. Saturn: One large = one large gap aka Cassini Division. Uranus: Many medium moons equal many gaps |
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Discuss why Pluto should not be a planet |
1) Inclined 17° with respect to the ecliptic. 2) Pluto's Barycenter is outside the planet. 3) The orbit of Pluto is 2:3 with respect to Neptune. 4) Pluto passes inside Neptune's orbit. |
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Why an asteroid impact is considered to the the reason for Dinosaur extinction |
1) Large enough crater of correct age 2) KT Boundary is found at impact 3) Quartzite is found at the KT boundary. |
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Barycenter |
The gravity center of a planet/moon system. |
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Stellar Occultation |
When a star is obscured by a planet. |
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Quartzite |
Rapidly cooled silicates. |
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KT boundary |
An iridium rich region in the Earth's crust. |
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Iridium |
An element found in meteors and in volcanic deposits |
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Mass extinctions on Earth |
About every 100 million years the earth sustains a mass extinction. This suggests that there is a 10th planet which disturbs the Kuiper Belt |
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Draw a diagram and show how cloud banding is caused by Coriolis Forces |
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