Question

1.How did astronomers predict the existence of Neptune before observing it?

Using astrological star charts

Looking at how its gravity affected Uranus's orbit

Following a mathematical pattern

Observing gaps in the Kuiper Belt

2.Ceres is a large, spherical body that orbits between Mars and Jupiter. Why isn't it considered a planet?

It originated from outside the solar system

It was discovered with a telescope rather than observed by ancient humans

It shares its orbital area with many other similarly sized bodies

It orbits in the opposite direction of the other planets

3.What discovery prompted Pluto to be no longer be considered a planet?

A Kuiper Belt Object larger than it

Pluto actually didn't really exist

The lack of a solid surface

Its size being much smaller than any other planet

4.Pluto has geologic activity currently shaping its surface. Why is this so surprising?

Pluto is very far away from the Sun

Pluto is very small

Pluto has a very elliptical orbit around the Sun

Pluto is not really a planet

5.With the Doppler method, the planet's gravitational pull causes a Doppler shift of the star's light. What does the amount of Doppler shift of the star's light tell us about the planet?

The planet's mass

The planet's rotation rate

The planet's distance from us

The planet's size

6.With the transit method, the planet causes a dip in the amount of starlight we receive from that star. What does the amount of decrease in light tell us about the planet?

The planet's size

The planet's rotation rate

The planet's distance from us

The planet's mass

7.By using either the Doppler or Transit methods, you can determine the orbital period of the planet. Using just that information, what else can you determine about the planet? (Hint: think Kepler's laws).

The rotation rate of the planet

The composition of the planet

The mass of the planet

The distance the planet orbits from its star

Answer 1