Space Science Flashcards by Trisha Escoton

What is the most widely accepted theory about
the origin of the universe?

a) Steady State Theory
b) Big Bang Theory
c) Oscillating Universe Theory
d) Multiverse Theory

b) Big Bang Theory

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What does the term “inflation” refer to in
cosmology?

a) The formation of stars
b) The rapid expansion of the universe after the Big
Bang
c) The increase in temperature of the universe
d) The creation of galaxies

b) The rapid expansion of the universe after the Big
Bang

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cosmological model that proposes the universe
undergoes a perpetual cycle of expansion and contraction (Big Crunch).

Oscillating Universe Theory

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This hypothesis suggests that our universe is just one of
many universes that exist. These parallel universes could have different
physical laws and constants.

Multiverse theory

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Approximately how many years ago did the Big
Bang occur?

a) 4.5 billion years
b) 13.8 billion years
c) 10.5 billion years
d) 7.2 billion years

b) 13.8 billion years

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Approximately how many years ago did the Milky Way occur?

13.6 billion years

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Approximately how many years ago did the Solar System and our Sun occur?

4.6 billion years

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What is the observable universe?

a) The part of the universe we can see with
telescopes
b) The entire universe
c) The part of the universe within our galaxy
d) The universe’s black holes

a) The part of the universe we can see with
telescopes

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afterglow of the
Big Bang, providing a snapshot of the universe when it was just 380,000 years
old

Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) Radiation

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What is in the center of the our galaxy (Milky Way
Galaxy)?

a) sun
b) blackhole
c) wormhole
d) white hole

b) blackhole

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The name of that blackhole is…

a) Sagittarius A (Sgr A)
b) Gemini A (Ge A)
c) Capricorn A (Cp A)
d) Aquarius B (Aq B)

a) Sagittarius A (Sgr A)

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region in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that
nothing, not even light, can escape from it

black hole

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formed from the remnants of a massive star that has
ended its life cycle through a supernova explosion.
The core collapses under
gravity, forming a black holes

Stellar black hole

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found at the centers of most galaxies, including
the Milky Way.

Their formation mechanisms are still not completely
understood, but they may form from the merging of smaller black holes or
from large amounts of gas collapsing directly into a black hole

Supermassive Black Holes

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theoretical region in space-time which is the
opposite of a black hole.

It is a solution to the equations of
general relativity that theoretically expels matter and light,
unlike a black hole which absorbs them.

White hole

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also known as an Einstein-Rosen bridge, is a
theoretical passage through spacetime that could create
shortcuts for long journeys across the universe.

Wormhole

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Who proposed the theory of general relativity,
which is crucial for understanding the universe’s
origin?

a) Isaac Newton
b) Galileo Galilei
c) Albert Einstein
d) Niels Bohr

c) Albert Einstein

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describes the gravitational force as a curvature of
spacetime caused by mass and energy

Theory of General Relativity

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According to physics, time is
____

a) static/contant
b) flows in one direction/one way
c) dynamic/can be manipulated
d) not enough evidence to prove any of the answers

c) dynamic/can be manipulated

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The following properties can alter the time,
which of the following does not?

a) sound
b) speed
c) gravity
d) relative motion

a) sound

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due to differences in gravitational
fields

Gravitational Time Dilation

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Moving clocks tick slower relative
to stationary clocks. This effect becomes significant as objects approach the
speed of light (299,792,458 meters per second).

Velocity Time Dilation (Special Relativity)

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Time can appear to pass differently for observers in relative
motion. This is a consequence of the principle of relativity, which states that
the laws of physics are the same for all observers in uniform motion.

Relative Motion

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earliest period of time in the history of the universe,
lasting from time zero to approximately 10^−43 seconds after the Big Bang

Planck epoch

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founder of quantum theory

Max Planck

10^-43 to 10^-36 seconds after the Big Bang. During this era, the fundamental forces of nature—gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces—were unified into a single force.

Grand Unification Era

10^-36 to 10^-12 seconds after the Big Bang, separation of distinct forces

Electroweak Era

10^-12 seconds to 1 second after the Big Bang. The universe cooled sufficiently for quarks to bind together to form protons and neutrons. Elementary particles such as electrons, neutrinos, and photons were abundant. This era marked the formation of the first atomic nuclei (Big Bang Nucleosynthesis).

Particle Era (Quark Era)

1 second to 380,000 years after the Big Bang. Photons dominated the universe, and matter was ionized. The universe was opaque to light due to scattering by free electrons. This era ended with recombination, where electrons combined with nuclei to form neutral atoms, allowing light to travel freely (cosmic microwave background radiation).

Radiation Era (Photon Era)

380,000 years to 150 million years after the Big Bang. During this period, the universe was dark as no stars or galaxies had yet formed. It was dominated by hydrogen and helium gas, with fluctuations in density eventually leading to the formation of the first stars and galaxies.

Dark Ages

Era from the formation of the first stars (around 150 million years after the Big Bang) to the present

Stellar Era

This era marks the period when the universe's expansion began accelerating due to dark energy. It includes the discovery of cosmic acceleration and ongoing research into the nature of dark energy and the fate of the universe

Cosmic Era (Accelerated Expansion)

What is nucleosynthesis? a) The creation of elements b) The formation of galaxies c) The process of star formation d) The creation of planets

a) The creation of elements

Which element was formed first after the Big Bang? a) Hydrogen b) Helium c) Oxygen d) Carbon

a) Hydrogen

What is redshift in cosmology? a) A shift in the color of stars b) An increase in wavelength of light from distant galaxies c) A decrease in the brightness of stars d) A change in the speed of light

b) An increase in wavelength of light from distant galaxies

Who is credited with the discovery of the expanding universe? a) Albert Einstein b) Edwin Hubble c) Carl Sagan d) Stephen Hawking

b) Edwin Hubble

What is dark matter? a) A type of black hole b) Matter that emits light c) Unseen matter that does not emit or absorb light d) Antimatter

c) Unseen matter that does not emit or absorb light

What is dark energy? a) Energy from black holes b) The force causing the acceleration of the universe's expansion c) Energy emitted by stars d) Electromagnetic radiation

b) The force causing the acceleration of the universe's expansion

What did the discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation confirm? a) The existence of black holes b) The Big Bang theory c) The steady state theory d) The oscillating universe theory

b) The Big Bang theory

What is the fate of the universe according to the Big Crunch theory? a) The universe will expand forever b) The universe will collapse back into a singularity c) The universe will remain static d) The universe will turn into a black hole

b) The universe will collapse back into a singularity

What is the primary difference between terrestrial planets and gas giants? a) Terrestrial planets are smaller and rockier, gas giants are larger and gaseous b) Terrestrial planets have rings, gas giants do not c) Terrestrial planets have more moons, gas giants have fewer d) Terrestrial planets are further from the Sun, gas giants are closer

a) Terrestrial planets are smaller and rockier, gas giants are larger and gaseous

Which planet is known as the "Evening Star/Morning Star/Earth's Twin"? a) Mars b) Venus c) Jupiter d) Saturn

b) Venus

The Swift Planet / The Messenger

Mercury

The Swift Planet / The Messenger

Mercury

The Blue Planet

Earth

The Red Planet / The War Planet

Mars

The Gas Giant/The King of Planets

Jupiter

The Ringed Planet / The Jewel of the Solar System

Saturn

The Ice Giant

Uranus

The Windy Planet

Neptune

What is the name of the fifth planet from the Sun? a) Mars b) Jupiter c) Saturn d) Uranus

b) Jupiter

What is the primary component of the atmospheres of Venus and Mars? a) Oxygen b) Hydrogen c) Carbon dioxide d) Nitrogen

c) Carbon dioxide

Which dwarf planet is located in the asteroid belt? a) Pluto b) Haumea c) Ceres d) Eris

c) Ceres

Found beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt

Haumea

Located in the Kuiper Belt beyond Pluto

Makemake

region of the solar system beyond the orbit of Neptune

Kuiper Belt

Which planet has a surface temperature hot enough to melt lead? a) Mercury b) Venus c) Mars d) Jupiter.

b) Venus

What are the rings of Saturn primarily composed of? a) Dust b) Rock c) Ice d) Gas

c) Ice

What is the main cause of the differences in day lengths on various planets? a) The planet's distance from the Sun b) The planet's atmospheric composition c) The planet's rotational speed d) The planet's size

c) The planet's rotational speed

refers to the orbital motion of a planet around the Sun

Revolution (Year)

Effect of Revolution

It defines the length of a year (the time it takes for a planet to complete one orbit around the Sun).

refers to the spinning motion of a planet around its axis

Rotation (Day)

Effect of Rotation

It determines the length of a day (the time it takes for a planet to complete one full rotation)

refers to the angle between a planet's rotational axis and its orbital plane around the Sun

Axis Tilt (Seasons)

Which planet has the most moons? a) Earth b) Jupiter c) Saturn d) Uranus

c) Saturn

What is the Great Red Spot on Jupiter? a) A massive mountain b) A giant storm c) A large crater d) A volcano

b) A giant storm

What is the term for the path an object takes as it moves around the Sun? a) Axis b) Orbit c) Revolution d) Rotation

b) Orbit

largest volcano in the solar system and is located on Mars

Olympus Mons

How many planets in our Solar System are classified as gas giants? a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 d) 5

c) 4

What are the small rocky bodies that primarily orbit between Mars and Jupiter? a) Comets b) Meteoroids c) Asteroids d) Dwarf planets

c) Asteroids

Smaller rocky or metallic bodies traveling through space.

Meteoroids

Small rocky bodies orbiting the Sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt

Asteroids

Meteoroids that enter Earth's atmosphere and produce a streak of light (shooting star).

Meteors

Remnants of meteoroids that survive atmospheric entry and land on Earth's surface.

Meteorites

What was the main objective of the Apollo 11 mission? a) Orbit the Earth b) Land on the Moon and return safely c) Send a rover to Mars d) Explore the outer planets

b) Land on the Moon and return safely

Who was the first person to walk on the Moon? a) Yuri Gagarin b) Neil Armstrong c) Buzz Aldrin d) John Glenn

b) Neil Armstrong

What is the name of the spacecraft that has traveled the furthest from Earth? a) Voyager 1 b) Voyager 2 c) Pioneer 10 d) New Horizons

a) Voyager 1

Which space mission discovered the first exoplanet orbiting a Sun-like star? a) Kepler b) Hubble c) Voyager 1 d) Galileo

a) Kepler

What was the name of the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth? a) Apollo 11 b) Voyager 1 c) Sputnik 1 d) Hubble

c) Sputnik 1

Which space telescope has provided some of the most detailed images of distant galaxies? a) Kepler b) Chandra c) Hubble d) James Webb

c) Hubble

first manned mission to land on the Moon

Apollo 11

space probe that has become the farthest human-made object from Earth and is now in interstellar space, making it the first spacecraft to enter interstellar space.

Voyager 1

first artificial satellite to orbit Earth launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957

Sputnik 1

discovered thousands of exoplanets, including many Earth-sized planets in or near the habitable zone of their stars.

Kepler Space Telescope

named after astronomer Edwin Hubble, is a space telescope launched by NASA in 1990. It orbits Earth and has provided breathtaking images and invaluable scientific data about the universe, helping scientists study distant galaxies, stars, and planets.

Hubble Space Telescope

Which space mission was the first to successfully land a rover on Mars? a) Viking 1 b) Mars Pathfinder c) Curiosity d) Opportunity

a) Viking 1

What was the primary goal of the Mars Exploration Rover mission? a) To search for water on Mars b) To study the atmosphere of Mars c) To find signs of life on Mars d) To map the surface of Mars

a) To search for water on Mars

to study the Martian surface and geology, searching for evidence of past water activity on Mars

Mars Rover Exploration

successfully orbited Mars and then landed on the planet's surface on July 20, 1976, becoming the first spacecraft to operate successfully on the Martian surface

Viking 1

successfully landed on Mars on July 4, 1997, deploying the first Martian rover, Sojourner, which conducted experiments and analyzed rocks and soil on the surface.

Mars Pathfinder

landed on mars (early 2000s) to conduct extensive studies of Martian soil, atmosphere, and surface features.

Curiosity and Opportunity

became the first American woman in space when she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on June 18, 1983, as part of the STS-7 mission

Sally Ride

became the first woman to fly in space when she orbited Earth aboard Vostok 6 on June

Valentina Tereshkova

She became the first African-American woman to travel in space when she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on September 12, 1992, as part of the STS-47 mission

Mae Jemison

holds the record for the most cumulative time spent in space by an American astronaut, with a total of 665 days in space over three missions (Expedition 5, Expedition 16/17, and Expedition 50/51/52)

Peggy Whitson

made the first flyby of Jupiter in December 1973, providing close-up images and scientific data of the planet and its moons. It is also was the first spacecraft to achieve escape velocity from the Solar System.

Pioneer 10

made historic flybys of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, sending back unprecedented images and data of these planets and their moons. It's the only spacecraft to have visited all four outer planets

Voyager 2

made numerous discoveries during its mission, including observing Saturn's rings and atmosphere, studying Titan's methane lakes and organic chemistry

Cassini

successfully conducted a flyby of Pluto on July 14, 2015, capturing detailed images and data of Pluto and its moons. It has since continued its journey into the Kuiper Belt, studying other celestial bodies

New Horizons

became the first American to travel into space on May 5, 1961, aboard the Freedom 7 spacecraft during the Mercury-Redstone 3 mission.

Alan Shepard

became the first American to orbit the Earth on February 20, 1962, aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft during the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission.

John Glenn

He piloted the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft on July 21, 1961, becoming the second American in space during the suborbital MercuryRedstone 4 mission. Later he flew on the Gemini 3 mission in 1965, and became the first person to fly in space twice

Gus Grissom

He became the first human to travel into space and orbit the Earth on April 12, 1961, aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft

Yuri Gagarin

He became the first human to travel into space and orbit the Earth on April 12, 1961, aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft

Yuri Gagarin

Space Science Flashcards

(104 cards)