Life Beyond Neptune The Kuiper Belt & Scattered Disc

The solar system is vast, with regions like the Kuiper Belt and Scattered Disc beyond Neptune. The Kuiper Belt, influenced by Neptune, contains icy objects and Pluto. The Scattered Disc has scattered objects with extreme orbits. Discoveries like tholins on Pluto and Haumea's ring highlight the Kuiper Belt's diversity. Future exploration faces challenges due to distance and darkness, but missions like New Horizons aim to uncover more.

What are the two main transition regions beyond Neptune before reaching the Oort Cloud?

• Asteroid Belt and Oort Cloud

• Scattered Disc and Oort Cloud

• Kuiper Belt and Scattered Disc

• Asteroid Belt and Kuiper Belt

How does Neptune influence the Kuiper Belt?

• Through its gravitational pull

• By its magnetic field

• Through its temperature variations

• By its atmospheric pressure

What is a mean motion resonance?

• A type of gravitational pull

• A resonance where objects orbit in a specific ratio

• A magnetic field effect

• A type of atmospheric pressure

What is unique about the orbits of objects in the Scattered Disc?

• They are often disrupted and elongated

• They are perfectly circular

• They are influenced by the Sun's magnetic field

• They are highly stable

Which dwarf planet in the Scattered Disc has a highly tilted orbit?

• Pluto

• Eris

• Haumea

• Charon

What organic substance was found on Pluto's surface?

• Methane

• Tholins

• Water ice

• Carbon dioxide

What significant discovery was made about Haumea?

• It is larger than Pluto

• It has a moon

• It has an atmosphere

• It has a ring system