Astronomy 141 -- Winter Quarter 2012
In-Class Quiz 3 Study Guide

General Solar System
   Names of the 8 planets
   Dwarf Planets (know the names of the 5 recognized dwarf planets)
   Order of planets in the Solar System
   Terrestrial Planets (know names, basic composition, order in solar system)
   Jovian Planets (Gas Giants, Ice Giants, know names, basic composition,
      and order within the solar system)
   Giant Moons (where are they found? what are they made of?)
   Asteroid and Meteoroids (composition, where found)
   Trans-Neptunian Objects (composition, where found)
   Comets (composition, where found)


Comparison of the Terrestrial Planets
   Interiors & Surfaces (differences & similarities)
      Cratering is a way to determine terrain ages
      Relation of tectonism to internal heat
      What are the forces that shape the different surfaces?
      What are primary, secondary, and tertiary crusts?
      Which kinds of tectonic activity occurred on which planets?
   Origin & evolution of terrestrial planet atmospheres
      Probably started with similar compositions & evolved very differently
      What is the role of the Greenhouse effect in atmosphere evolution
      What is a "Runaway Greenhouse Effect", example: on Venus
   Atmosphere Retention
      What is it?  What factors determine a planet's ability to retain
        an atmosphere?
   What factors drive atmosphere evolution?


The Jovian Planets
   Gas Giants: Jupiter and Saturn
   Ice Giants: Uranus and Neptune
   What is their atmosphere composition?
   What is internal structure?
   Which have sources of internal heat?
   What are Reducing Atmospheres?
   What molecules are common in reducing atmospheres?
   Why do the Jovian Planets have heavy H/He atmosphere?
   Giant Moon systems (which have giant moons?)

 
Requirements for Life
   Sources of Energy for life
   Requirement of complex (carbon?) chemistry
   What are different possible alternatives to water as a solvent medium?
   What role does protection from harmful UV radiation play in life?
   Sunlight and other sources of energy
   Extremophiles and their lessons for life's requirements
   What is the role of a planet's size in determining habitability
    (internal heat, magnetic fields, atmosphere retention)


Mars
   Martian Atmosphere
     basic composition (most CO2 and N2, traces of H2O)
     Pressure & Temperature typical of Mars' surface?
     Dust storms on Mars
     How did it get that way?
   Martian Surface Features
     plains & cratered highlands
     volcanoes (Olympus Mons & Tharsis Region)
     canyons & channels
     polar caps
   Evidence for liquid water in Mars' past


Life on Mars
   Martian Canals - what were they?
   Problem of water on Mars (too low pressure for stable liquid water)
   Viking Landers and their biological test results
   ALH84001 Martian Meteorite controversy
   Methane in Mars' atmosphere (short life, possible sources of methane?)
   Discoveries by the Phoenix Lander (water ice, light snow,
       calcium carbonate, perchlorate salts)
   Goals of future missions to Mars


Galilean Moons of Jupiter
   What are the names of the 4 Galilean Moons?
   What are their basic properties and compositions?
   Interior of Ganymede & Callisto
   Tidal Heating - interior heat determined by proximity to Jupiter, not size
   Volcanoes on Io
   Ice on Europa
   What are the arguments for liquid water oceans beneath Europa's ice?
   What are the arguments for why Europa is a likely place to find life?


The Children of Saturn
   Enceladus
      Water fountains and cryovolcanism
      Tidal heating driving cryovolcanism
      Ices from Enceladus build the E ring
      Possibility of liquid water and life (source of heat?)

   Titan - the large moon of Saturn
      Thick Nitrogen & Methane atmosphere
      Only Solar System moon with a heavy atmosphere
      Methane plays role of Water on Titan
      Has an atmosphere because it is so cold
      Titan as example of prebiotic conditions


Goldilocks and the Three Planets
   Why is Mars so dry and cold?
   Why is Venus so dry and hot?  Runaway greenhouse effect
   Why are conditions on Earth so ideal for life? 
   How does a planet's size affect its habitability
   What is the definition of the Habitable Zone?
   Where is the Habitable Zone now in the Solar System?
   What is the role of the Sun's brightness in determining the
      the location of the habitable zone?
   What is the Continuously Habitable Zone?