Chapter 24: Space Environment

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Photosphere

Question 2

Electrically conductive zone in upper atmosphere

Answer 2

Ionosphere

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Chromosphere

Question 4

Ionized gas and magnetic field play an important role here

Answer 4

Magnetosphere

Question 5

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

Answer 5

Corona

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Solar winds

Question 7

Areas of lower density in the sun’s crown

Answer 7

Corona holes

Question 8

Cooler area that appears dark on the photosphere

Answer 8

Sun spot

Question 9

Hair-like phenomena that characterizes the chromosphere

Answer 9

Spicules

Question 10

Non-cyclic eruptions that can harm space assets

Answer 10

Solar winds

Question 11

The space between the extent of one solar system and another

Answer 11

Interstellar

Question 12

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

Answer 12

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

Question 13

How many estimated other solar systems are in our galaxy?

Answer 13

100 billion

Question 14

3.26 times the distance of a light year

Answer 14

A parsec

Question 15

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

Answer 15

4 light years

Question 16

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

Answer 16

100 times

Question 17

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

Answer 17

100 times

Question 18

The space between the Earth and the Moon

Answer 18

Cislunar space

Question 19

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

Answer 19

50 miles

Question 20

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

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What is the name of our galaxy?

Answer 21

The Milky Way

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Light Year

Question 23

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

Answer 23

25, 40, 27

Question 24

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

Answer 24

8, 15, 11

Question 25

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

Answer 25

Solar flare

Question 26

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

Answer 26

15, 3

Question 27

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

Answer 27

Magnetosphere

Question 28

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

Answer 28

Solar winds, orbit of the moon

Question 29

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

Answer 29

Cosmic rays

Question 30

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.

Answer 30

Van Allen Radiation Belts

Question 31

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

Answer 31

Magnetic storms

Question 32

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

Answer 32

Scintillation

Question 33

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

Answer 33

Outgassing

Question 34

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

Answer 34

Cold welding

Question 35

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

Answer 35

Differential charging

Question 36

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

Answer 36

FALSE

Question 37

The solar atmosphere consists of

Answer 37

The photosphere, the chromosphere, and the corona

Question 38

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

Answer 38

FALSE

Question 39

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.

Answer 39

TRUE

Question 40

What are SIDs in the ionosphere?

Answer 40

Sudden ionospheric disturbances