SOFIA and Atmospheric Discoveries Quiz

What is the primary purpose of the Boeing 747SP aircraft known as SOFIA?

• To transport passengers across the Atlantic

• To observe the universe and study Earth's upper atmosphere

• To conduct weather experiments

• To serve as a commercial cargo plane

What advantage does SOFIA have over ground-based telescopes?

• It can detect visible light more effectively

• It is less expensive to operate

• It can observe the universe without atmospheric interference

• It can travel faster than the speed of sound

What was the significant discovery made possible by the upgrade to the GREAT instrument on SOFIA?

• The identification of a new type of star

• The first direct measurement of atomic oxygen in Earth's upper atmosphere

• The discovery of a new planet in our solar system

• The detection of gravitational waves

How does atomic oxygen help regulate Earth's climate?

• By increasing the Earth's magnetic field

• Through photochemical processes and the Earth-atmosphere energy balance cycle

• By reflecting sunlight back into space

• By absorbing carbon dioxide

What is one of the goals for SOFIA's future missions?

• To develop new propulsion systems

• To explore celestial molecules and study Earth's atmosphere

• To monitor volcanic activity

• To map the ocean floors