A scientist discovers a deep bowl-like divot under the ocean off the coast of eastern Mexico that is many kilometers across. The layers of the ground all around the continent from around the time that structure formed contain large amounts of iridium and a larger number of fossils than is normally found. What most likely caused the bowl-like structure?
an asteroid impact
a meteorite impact
an iridium spike
a Kuiper object impact
The most likely cause of the bowl-like structure would be an asteroid impact. The presence of large amounts of iridium, as well as an increased number of fossils in the surrounding layers, are indicative of an impact event. Iridium is rare in the Earth's crust but more abundant in asteroids and meteorites, which suggests that a significant amount of it was deposited during the impact. Additionally, the impact would have caused significant destruction, creating the bowl-like structure and potentially leading to an increase in the number of fossils due to the catastrophic ecological changes it brought about. A Kuiper object impact is less likely as Kuiper objects are typically composed of ice and rock rather than iridium-rich material.
What is a small, rocky object that orbits the Sun and is usually found in a belt between Mars and Jupiter?
asteroid
comet
meteor
meteorite
A small, rocky object that orbits the Sun and is usually found in a belt between Mars and Jupiter is called an asteroid.
Abdid is an astronomer who has been observing objects that orbit the Sun in the asteroid belt. He finds a previously undiscovered round, rocky object that is not similar in shape to the rest of the asteroids. What has Abdid most likely found?
a new dwarf planet
a new asteroid
a new moon
a new comet
Abdid most likely found a new dwarf planet. While most objects in the asteroid belt are irregularly shaped asteroids, the fact that he found a round, rocky object that is not similar in shape to the rest suggests that it may meet the criteria for being classified as a dwarf planet. Dwarf planets are spherical or near-spherical objects that orbit the Sun, similar to planets, but have not cleared their orbit of other debris. Given the unique characteristics described, it is most plausible that Abid has discovered a new dwarf planet in the asteroid belt.
Which terms describe space objects that are small chunks of rock and debris that are smaller than 1 km? Select three options
meteoroids
asteroids
meteors
meteorites
comets
The three terms that describe space objects that are small chunks of rock and debris smaller than 1 km are:
1. Meteoroids
2. Asteroids
3. Meteors
Which statement about dwarf planet locations is correct?
Eris is found in the Kuiper Belt and Makemake, Haumea, Ceres, and Pluto are found in the asteroid belt.
Ceres is found in the asteroid belt and Eris, Makemake, Haumea, and Pluto are found in the Kuiper Belt.
Ceres and Pluto are found in the Kuiper Belt and Makemake, Eris, and Haumea are found in the asteroid belt.
Haumea and Makemake are found in the asteroid belt and Pluto, Ceres, and Eris are found in the Kuiper Belt.
The correct statement about dwarf planet locations is:
Ceres is found in the asteroid belt and Eris, Makemake, Haumea, and Pluto are found in the Kuiper Belt.
Iridium is a substance found only in asteroids and other space objects. This graph shows the amount of Iridium found in different sediment layers of Earth. They are marked off into 17 sections representing time.
Iridium Levels graph shows Iridium levels in sediment layers. Beginning at sediment layer 1, iridium levels remain between 0 and 5, jumping to a level of 23 between layers 5 and 6, and decreasing to near starting levels at layers 14 through 17.
What most likely happened in sediment layer 5?
A massive volcano erupted, causing global warming and lava flow, which in turn caused mass extinction.
More iridium was produced by space objects and dumped by local factories.
The impact of a space object led to the deposit of a layer of sediment high in iridium.
Fewer impacts lead to a drop in iridium levels and a mass extinction caused by a lack of sunshine.
What most likely happened in sediment layer 5 is that the impact of a space object led to the deposit of a layer of sediment high in iridium. The sudden jump in iridium levels between layers 5 and 6 suggests that a significant event, such as an asteroid or meteorite impact, occurred in that time period. The impact would have released a large amount of iridium-rich material into the environment, resulting in the higher levels of iridium found in the sediment layer.
A scientist discovers a new body between the orbit of Neptune and the Kuiper Belt. The object is round and travels in an orbit around Neptune with other space objects. The scientist claims that she has found a new dwarf planet. Where is the scientist’s error?
The object is an asteroid, not a dwarf planet.
The object is a moon, not a dwarf planet.
The object is not a dwarf planet because it travels with other objects.
The object is not a dwarf planet because it is round.
The scientist's error lies in the statement "The object is not a dwarf planet because it travels with other objects."
The fact that the object travels in an orbit around Neptune with other space objects does not contradict its classification as a dwarf planet. Dwarf planets can orbit other celestial bodies, such as planets, just like moons do. Therefore, the presence of other objects in its orbit does not invalidate its potential classification as a dwarf planet.
Which of the following are dwarf planets? Check all that apply.
Ceres
Namaka
Eris
Charon
Haumea
Makemake
Pluto
The dwarf planets from the options provided are:
1. Ceres
2. Eris
3. Haumea
4. Makemake
5. Pluto
Mischka is an amateur astronomer. Using her telescope, she looks out past the Earth’s atmosphere and observes an object with a long, bright, cloud-like tail behind it. What is Mischka observing?
an asteroid
a meteorite
a comet
a meteoroid