Exploring the Planets and Beyond

What makes Mercury a challenging target for spacecraft missions?

• Its thick atmosphere

• Its slow rotation

• Its proximity to the sun and high speed

• Its large size

What is the primary component of Venus's atmosphere that contributes to its high temperatures?

• Oxygen

• Nitrogen

• Carbon Dioxide

• Methane

Which line is often used to define the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space?

• The Prime Meridian

• The Tropic of Cancer

• The Equator

• The Kármán Line

What is considered a non-negotiable requirement for supporting life on Earth?

• Liquid Water

• Oxygen

• Sunlight

• Carbon Dioxide

What is the role of NASA's planetary protection office?

• To explore new planets

• To study the sun

• To prevent contamination of planets and Earth

• To build spacecraft

What causes Jupiter's atmosphere to break into fast-moving bands and swirls?

• Its distance from the sun

• Its slow rotation

• Its large size

• Its rapid rotation

What unique atmospheric feature is found at Saturn's north pole?

• A giant hurricane

• A hexagonal jet stream

• A massive volcano

• A large ocean

What are Uranus and Neptune primarily composed of?

• Rock

• Metal

• Ices

• Gas

Who discovered the planet Uranus?

• Clyde Tombaugh

• William Herschel

• Galileo Galilei

• Edwin Hubble

What type of exoplanets were first discovered orbiting close to their parent stars?

• Ice Giants

• Super Earths

• Hot Jupiters

• Lava Worlds