Why has NASA sent recent orbiters to Mars on trajectories that required them to skim through Mars's atmosphere (aerobraking) before settling into their final orbits?
A) It saved money because the spacecraft used atmospheric drag to slow down rather than needing to carry enough fuel to slow by firing rocket engines.
B) It allowed the orbiters to get higher resolution pictures of the surface as it came close when skimming through the atmosphere.
C) It allowed the spacecraft to collect samples of the atmospheric gas for return to Earth.
D) Each spacecraft also carried a lander, and the lander could only be dropped to the Martian surface when the spacecraft passed through the atmosphere.
Question 2Tycho Brahe's contribution to Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion were
A) his detailed and accurate observations of the planet's position.
B) his observations of Jupiter's moons.
C) a mathematical explanation of epicycles.
D) a precise lunar calendar.
E) the correct explanation of lunar phases.
Question 3On the Sun, what takes approximately 22 years to happen?
A) The Sun takes that time to rotate on its axis.
B) The complete sunspot cycle, including magnetic field reversals.
C) Solar vibrations begin every 22 years.
D) Solar activities goes from its maximum to minimum.
E) The corona reaches its maximum temperature and ejects gas every 22 years.
Question 4What are the characteristics of an open cluster of stars?
A) mostly found above and below the galactic plane
B) old age and millions of members
C) a few hundred, mainly main sequence stars
D) All stars are much more massive than our Sun.
E) All stars are about the same age and luminosity.
Question 5Describe the separation of the superforce and the effect it had on the Universe.
What will be an ideal response?
Question 6That the Tharsis region on Mars has so few craters:
A) proves tectonic activity is taking place.
B) is due to the regions very low elevation.
C) suggests it is the youngest region on the planet.
D) suggests it is at the center of a particularly strong magnetic field.
E) is due to annual flooding and water erosion.
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