Question 1

Triton and Pluto both probably originated in the Kuiper Belt.

Accepted Answer

Triton and Pluto are both classified as Kuiper Belt Objects, meaning they are believed to originate from that region of our solar system.

Question 2

Two of the Galilean moons of Jupiter are the size of Mercury, and the two others are about as big as our own Moon.

Accepted Answer

Two of the Galilean moons, Ganymede and Callisto, are larger than Mercury, while the other two, Io and Europa, are about the same size as our Moon.

Question 3

Like Jupiter's other icy moons, Europa is covered with craters.

Accepted Answer

Europa's surface is relatively smooth and young, with a much lower density of craters compared to other icy moons, due to its geologically active surface that is constantly being resurfaced.

Question 4

The large, dark mare on Ganymede were created by water that erupted from within the moon.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The large, dark mare on Ganymede were...

Question 5

It appears that while they are similar in size, Ganymede is much more differentiated than Callisto.

Accepted Answer

Ganymede is more differentiated than Callisto, meaning it has a more distinct layering, with a metallic core and possible subsurface ocean, indicating a more complex geological history compared to Callisto's more uniform composition.

Question 6

Like our Moon and most others, all four large Jovian satellites have one side constantly fixed toward Jupiter as they revolve and rotate.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Like our Moon and most others, all...

Question 7

Io's internal heat is due to tidal interactions with Jupiter and Europa.

Accepted Answer

Io's internal heat is primarily generated through tidal heating, which is a result of its gravitational interaction with Jupiter and the other Galilean moons, including Europa. This process causes Io's interior to flex and produce heat due to the varying gravitational forces exerted on it.

Question 8

Io's surface volcanism is driven by phase changes of sulfur and its compounds.

Accepted Answer

Io's surface volcanism is primarily driven by tidal heating due to its gravitational interaction with Jupiter and other Galilean moons, not by phase changes of sulfur and its compounds.

Question 9

In terms of composition and density, the atmosphere of Titan is closer to our own than any other place we have found in the solar system.

Accepted Answer

Titan's atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen, like Earth's, and has a surface pressure similar to Earth's, making it more similar to our atmosphere than any other body in the solar system.

Question 10

Ganymede is the largest satellite in the solar system.

Accepted Answer

Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter, is the largest satellite in the solar system, surpassing even the planet Mercury in size.

Question 11

The Cassini probe Huygens made a soft landing on Titan.

Accepted Answer

The Huygens probe, part of the Cassini-Huygens mission, made a successful soft landing on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, on January 14, 2005.

Question 12

Of all the Galilean satellites, the surface of Europa is the youngest in age.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of all the Galilean satellites, the surface...

Question 13

The processes which produced Ganymede's groove terrain are on- going, according to the latest Galileo images.

Accepted Answer

The groove terrain on Ganymede is believed to be the result of geological processes that occurred in the past, not ongoing processes. The latest Galileo images have provided detailed views of these features, but they do not indicate that the processes which created the grooves are currently active.

Question 14

While Ganymede and Callisto are about the same size, the surface of Callisto is much younger, with considerable tectonic reformation.

Accepted Answer

Callisto's surface is older and more heavily cratered, indicating less geological activity compared to Ganymede, which has shown signs of tectonic activity and a younger surface.

Question 15

All four of Jupiter's big moons, like most moons in the solar system, revolve clockwise (retrograde) around their planet's equator.

Accepted Answer

Jupiter's four largest moons, known as the Galilean moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto), revolve in a prograde direction, meaning they orbit in the same direction as the planet's rotation, which is counterclockwise when viewed from above the planet's north pole.

Question 16

Alone of all the Galilean moons, Callisto shows no sign of plate tectonics.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Alone of all the Galilean moons, Callisto...

Question 17

Besides Mars, exobiologists find Europa also a good candidate for life.

Accepted Answer

Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, has a subsurface ocean beneath its icy crust, making it a target of interest for astrobiologists searching for potential habitats for life beyond Earth.

Question 18

The surface of Io looks most like the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean of Earth.

Accepted Answer

The surface of Io, one of Jupiter's moons, is characterized by numerous volcanoes and lava flows, giving it a colorful and varied appearance, unlike the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean.

Question 19

Due to tidal stresses, it is likely most of Io is molten, with a relatively thin solid crust.

Accepted Answer

Io, one of Jupiter's moons, experiences significant tidal heating due to gravitational interactions with Jupiter and other moons, which generates enough internal heat to maintain a substantial portion of its interior in a molten state, leading to its high volcanic activity and a relatively thin solid crust.

Question 20

The weak magnetic field of Europa may originate from a rapidly rotating liquid iron core.

Accepted Answer

Europa's weak magnetic field is thought to be induced by Jupiter's strong magnetic field interacting with a subsurface salty ocean within Europa, not from a rapidly rotating liquid iron core.

Quiz 9: Moons, Rings, and Plutoids: Small Worlds Among Giants