Earth Science Unit 2

Front

How did the Earth get its moon?

Back

The Earth got its moon through an impact with a protoplanet that flung debris into space.

Front

What is the approximate orbital period of the exoplanet Kepler-5b based on its Light Curve?

Back

The approximate orbital period of the exoplanet Kepler-5b is ~ 3.5 Days.

Front

What determines the location of the habitable zone for each star?

Back

The size of the star determines the location of the habitable zone.

Front

As the planetary distance from the Sun increases, does the eccentricity increase?

Back

False.

Front

Which planet (besides Pluto) has the highest eccentricity?

Back

Mercury has the highest eccentricity besides Pluto.

Front

What is a protoplanet?

Back

A protoplanet is a large body of matter in orbit around the Sun or another star that is in the process of becoming a planet.

Front

Define eccentricity in the context of planetary orbits.

Back

Eccentricity is a measure of how much an orbit deviates from being circular; it ranges from 0 (perfectly circular) to 1 (parabolic).

Front

What factors influence the habitable zone around a star?

Back

The habitable zone is influenced by the star's size, temperature, and luminosity.

Front

What is the significance of the Light Curve in studying exoplanets?

Back

The Light Curve shows the brightness of a star over time, allowing astronomers to detect exoplanets by observing periodic dips in brightness.

Front

What is the relationship between a planet's distance from the Sun and its orbital period?

Back

According to Kepler's Third Law, a planet's orbital period increases with its distance from the Sun.