Chapter 24: Space Environment Flashcards

1
Q

What region of the atmosphere is composed mostly of hydrogen and helium?

A

Photosphere

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2
Q

Electrically conductive zone in upper atmosphere

A

Ionosphere

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3
Q

Which layer of a star’s atmosphere is characterized by spicules?

A

Chromosphere

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4
Q

Ionized gas and magnetic field play an important role here

A

Magnetosphere

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5
Q

Enormous area of white light emanating from the sun’s surface

A

Corona

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6
Q

Steady emissions from the sun made up of many different types of atoms and ions

A

Solar winds

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7
Q

Areas of lower density in the sun’s crown

A

Corona holes

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8
Q

Cooler area that appears dark on the photosphere

A

Sun spot

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9
Q

Hair-like phenomena that characterizes the chromosphere

A

Spicules

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10
Q

Non-cyclic eruptions that can harm space assets

A

Solar winds

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11
Q

The space between the extent of one solar system and another

A

Interstellar

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12
Q

What aspects of the Sun affect the space environment in our solar system?

A

The Sun’s gravity, energy emissions, and magnetic fields

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13
Q

How many estimated other solar systems are in our galaxy?

A

100 billion

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14
Q

3.26 times the distance of a light year

A

A parsec

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15
Q

Approximately how many light years would it take to reach the nearest solar system in our galaxy?

A

4 light years

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16
Q

The diameter of the Sun is more than how many times the diameter of the earth?

A

100 times

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17
Q

The sun’s magnetic field is how many more times the strength of Earth’s magnetic field?

A

100 times

18
Q

The space between the Earth and the Moon

A

Cislunar space

19
Q

USAF administratively defines the space as beginning at how many miles above the Earth?

A

50 miles

20
Q

Why do some experts define space as beginning at 80 miles above the Earth?

A

It’s the point where an orbiting object will stay in orbit

21
Q

What is the name of our galaxy?

A

The Milky Way

22
Q

The distance a photon can travel in 365 Earth days; it is 5.878 trillion miles

A

Light Year

23
Q

The surface of the Sun rotates at different rates, varying from __ days at the Equator to __ days at the poles, but it is generally accepted that the average is __ days

A

25, 40, 27

24
Q

The sunspot cycle varies between __ and __ years, but usually follows close to a/an __ year cycle.

A

8, 15, 11

25
Q

The less dangerous electromagnetic radiation from this solar phenomenon can reach the Earth in as little as 9 minutes

A

Solar flare

26
Q

The more dangerous high energy particles from solar flares may take anywhere from __ minutes to __ days to reach to Earth.

A

15, 3

27
Q

Begins 217 miles above the Earth’s surface and extends 10 or 15 Earth radii to the boundary between the atmosphere and the interplanetary plasma

A

Magnetosphere

28
Q

When the magnetosphere is struck by _____, is formed into a bow shock wave distorting it and pushing it out past the ________.

A

Solar winds, orbit of the moon

29
Q

Made up mostly of electrons and nuclei of atoms; travel at nearly the speed of light, but have their flow greatly reduced by solar winds

A

Cosmic rays

30
Q

Thought to be crescent-shaped and composed of two shells; their most significant threat to astronauts is radiation, which may be as high as 65 times the safe exposure.

A

Van Allen Radiation Belts

31
Q

Characterized by a sudden onset of radiation bursts in which the magnetic field undergoes marked changes in an hour or less

A

Magnetic storms

32
Q

Caused by electron density variations in the ionosphere and resulting in rapid changes in radio signals; causes stars to twinkle

A

Scintillation

33
Q

When tiny bubbles of gas escape from the materials of the spacecraft due to the vacuum of space

A

Outgassing

34
Q

Occurs when the tiny amount of air escapes from between two surfaces of the spacecraft and they fuse; may be prevented using dry graphite as a lubricant

A

Cold welding

35
Q

Occurs when one part of a spacecraft gets charged and has a different charge than another part of the craft

A

Differential charging

36
Q

There is strong agreement that space begins 82 miles above the Earth’s surface

A

FALSE

37
Q

The solar atmosphere consists of

A

The photosphere, the chromosphere, and the corona

38
Q

The sun’s output is fairly consistent and any variance does not impact space operations

A

FALSE

39
Q

Short-wave radio is used for local broadcasting, while the long-wave radio is used for international broadcasting because it bounces off the ionosphere better.

A

TRUE

40
Q

What are SIDs in the ionosphere?

A

Sudden ionospheric disturbances