Question 1

You observe a star very similar to our own Sun in size and mass.This star moves very slightly back and forth in the sky once every four months,and you attribute this motion to the effect of an orbiting planet.What can you conclude about the orbiting planet?

Accepted Answer

A)  The planet must have a mass about the same as the mass of Jupiter.
B)  The planet must be closer to the star than Earth is to the Sun.
C)  The planet must be farther from the star than Neptune is from the Sun.
D)  You do not have enough information to say anything at all about the planet.E) None of the above
F) A) and B)

Question 2

Planetary orbits that are face-on to our line of sight produce no Doppler shift in the stellar spectrum.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

In essence,most of the extrasolar planets discovered to date have been found by

Accepted Answer

A)  closely examining very high-resolution photographs of other star systems.
B)  observing a star carefully enough to notice that it is experiencing a gravitational tug caused by an unseen planet.
C)  identifying spectral lines that look like what we expect to see from a planet rather than a star.
D)  observing mini-eclipses of a star as an unseen planet passes in front of it.E) All of the above
F) A) and B)

Question 4

The density of a planet can be determined by combining Doppler and astrometric measurements.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

HD 209458b was the first extrasolar planet whose size was measured.It has a radius of 1.43 Jupiter radii and mass of 0.63 Jupiter masses.Calculate its average density in grams per cubic centimeter.How does this compare with Jupiter?

Accepted Answer

The volume of a sphere with radius R is ...

Question 6

The star Rho Cancri B has about the same mass as our Sun,and the planet discovered around it orbits somewhat closer than Mercury orbits our Sun.The mass of the planet is estimated to be 1.1 times the mass of Jupiter.Why,according to our theory of solar system formation,is it surprising to find a planet the size of Rho Cancri B's planet orbiting at this distance?

Accepted Answer

In the nebular theory,jovian p...

Question 7

Why are many of the newly detected extrasolar planets called "hot Jupiters"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Their masses and composition are similar to what we would expect if Jupiter were hotter.
B)  The planets tend to be detected around more massive,hotter stars than our Sun.
C)  Their masses are similar to Jupiter but they are very close to the central star and therefore hot.
D)  Their masses are similar to Jupiter but their composition is similar to Mercury.
E)  The discovery of other planets is very exciting.F) A) and C)
G) A) and E)

Question 8

A planet is detected via the Doppler technique.The shape of the periodic velocity pattern tells us

Accepted Answer

A)  the planet's size.
B)  the planet's mass.
C)  the planet's density.
D)  the orbital period of the planet.
E)  the orbital eccentricity of the planet.F) C) and D)
G) B) and C)

Question 9

What are the two main differences between extrasolar planetary systems discovered to date and our Solar System?

Accepted Answer

A)  extrasolar planets tend to be more massive and dense than Jupiter
B)  extrasolar planet orbits tend to be more eccentric and inclined than in our Solar System
C)  extrasolar planet orbits tend to be closer and more eccentric than in our Solar System
D)  extrasolar planet orbits tend to be closer and more circular than in our Solar System
E)  extrasolar planets tend to be bigger and denser than JupiterF) C) and D)
G) All of the above

Question 10

The transit method of planet detection works best for

Accepted Answer

A)  big planets in edge-on orbits around small stars.
B)  big planets in face-on orbits around small stars.
C)  small planets in edge-on orbits around big stars.
D)  small planets in face-on orbits around big stars.
E)  Earth-like planets in any orbit.F) A) and B)
G) B) and D)

Question 11

The Doppler technique only provides a measure of the minimum mass of a planet because

Accepted Answer

A)  only a small part of the planet's motion is measured.
B)  without a transit observation,the size and therefore density of the planet is unknown.
C)  we do not know the exact composition of the planet.
D)  only the motion of star toward the observer is measured,not the full motion.
E)  we do not have the technology to make a direct image of a planet yet.F) A) and D)
G) D) and E)

Question 12

The astrometric technique looks for planets with careful measurements of a star's

Accepted Answer

A)  brightness.
B)  velocity towards or away from us.
C)  position in the sky.
D)  all of the aboveE) B) and C)
F) All of the above

Question 13

Describe one of the future planned space missions to search for extrasolar planets.How will it improve on current observations?

Accepted Answer

There are several possibilities here,des...

Exam 13: Other Planetary Systems: The New Science of Distant Worlds

The astrometric technique looks for planets with careful measurements of a star's

Correct Answer
verified

The density of a planet can be determined by combining Doppler and astrometric measurements.

Correct Answer
verified

In essence,most of the extrasolar planets discovered to date have been found by

Correct Answer
verified

A planet is detected via the Doppler technique.The shape of the periodic velocity pattern tells us

Correct Answer
verified

The Doppler technique only provides a measure of the minimum mass of a planet because

Correct Answer
verified

Planetary orbits that are face-on to our line of sight produce no Doppler shift in the stellar spectrum.

Correct Answer
verified

You observe a star very similar to our own Sun in size and mass.This star moves very slightly back and forth in the sky once every four months,and you attribute this motion to the effect of an orbiting planet.What can you conclude about the orbiting planet?

Correct Answer
verified

HD 209458b was the first extrasolar planet whose size was measured.It has a radius of 1.43 Jupiter radii and mass of 0.63 Jupiter masses.Calculate its average density in grams per cubic centimeter.How does this compare with Jupiter?

Correct Answer
verified
The volume of a sphere with radius R is ...
View Answer

Describe one of the future planned space missions to search for extrasolar planets.How will it improve on current observations?

Correct Answer
verified
There are several possibilities here,des...
View Answer

What are the two main differences between extrasolar planetary systems discovered to date and our Solar System?

Correct Answer
verified

The transit method of planet detection works best for

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
In the nebular theory,jovian p...
View Answer

Why are many of the newly detected extrasolar planets called "hot Jupiters"?

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 13: Other Planetary Systems: The New Science of Distant Worlds

The astrometric technique looks for planets with careful measurements of a star's

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The density of a planet can be determined by combining Doppler and astrometric measurements.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In essence,most of the extrasolar planets discovered to date have been found by

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A planet is detected via the Doppler technique.The shape of the periodic velocity pattern tells us

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Doppler technique only provides a measure of the minimum mass of a planet because

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Planetary orbits that are face-on to our line of sight produce no Doppler shift in the stellar spectrum.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

You observe a star very similar to our own Sun in size and mass.This star moves very slightly back and forth in the sky once every four months,and you attribute this motion to the effect of an orbiting planet.What can you conclude about the orbiting planet?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

HD 209458b was the first extrasolar planet whose size was measured.It has a radius of 1.43 Jupiter radii and mass of 0.63 Jupiter masses.Calculate its average density in grams per cubic centimeter.How does this compare with Jupiter?

Correct AnswerverifiedThe volume of a sphere with radius R is ...View AnswerShow Answer

Describe one of the future planned space missions to search for extrasolar planets.How will it improve on current observations?

Correct AnswerverifiedThere are several possibilities here,des...View AnswerShow Answer

What are the two main differences between extrasolar planetary systems discovered to date and our Solar System?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The transit method of planet detection works best for

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedIn the nebular theory,jovian p...View AnswerShow Answer

Why are many of the newly detected extrasolar planets called "hot Jupiters"?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
The volume of a sphere with radius R is ...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
There are several possibilities here,des...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
In the nebular theory,jovian p...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified