NASA | Cosmic Ice

The video tutorial explores different types of ice, including crystalline and amorphous forms, and explains how these are studied in a laboratory setting. It highlights unique methods used to create and analyze ice, such as cooling metal discs and using high-energy protons. The research aims to understand cosmic ices and their chemical compositions, which can be applied to astronomical observations. The tutorial also discusses the collaboration with NASA to study the solar system's chemical makeup without leaving Earth.

What distinguishes amorphous ice from crystalline ice?

• Amorphous ice has a regular geometrical pattern.

• Crystalline ice lacks a regular geometrical pattern.

• Amorphous ice lacks a regular geometrical pattern.

• Crystalline ice is not found on Earth.

How is ice created in the laboratory for study?

• By using a large metal disc at room temperature.

• By heating a metal disc to high temperatures.

• By cooling a metal disc to just above absolute zero and freezing gas on it.

• By exposing a metal disc to sunlight.

What makes the lab's study of cosmic ices unique?

• The use of low-energy protons.

• The use of high-energy protons from a vandergraph accelerator.

• The ability to study cosmic ices without leaving Earth.

• The study of cosmic ices at room temperature.

What is the purpose of bombarding ices with high-energy protons?

• To simulate conditions in the Earth's atmosphere.

• To create new types of ice.

• To melt the ice for easier study.

• To interpret astronomical observations of cosmic ices.

How does the lab collaborate with NASA?

• By building spacecraft for NASA.

• By studying the chemical composition of the solar system and beyond.

• By sending scientists to space.

• By developing new types of ice.