Exploring Space
Practice Test
1.
When is the new space station expected to be operational?
a.
2005
b.
2020
c.
It's operational now.
d.
2000
Hint
2.
Which planet did
Galileo
explore before it was crushed by its atmosphere?
a.
Saturn
b.
Uranus
c.
Jupiter
d.
Mars
Hint
3.
Why can't astronauts hear each other in space without the use of a microphone?
a.
because sound waves can't travel through empty space
b.
because outer space alters the astronaut's hearing
c.
because there's no such thing as sound in space
d.
because sound waves can't travel in space, far from Earth
Hint
4.
Why are rockets ideal for exploring space?
a.
They don't need air.
b.
They are retrievable.
c.
They can gather lots data.
d.
They are inexpensive.
Hint
5.
What is the Next Generation Space Telescope planned to study?
a.
the process of star and planet formation
b.
all answers are correct
c.
the production of elements by stars
d.
the evolution of galaxies
Hint
6.
What was the initial problem with the
Hubble Space Telescope
?
a.
It is a reflecting telescope, and there was a problem with the mirror.
b.
It is a refracting telescope, and there was a problem with the mirror.
c.
It is a refracting telescope, and there was problem with the lens.
d.
It is a reflecting telescope, and there was a problem with the lens.
Hint
7.
What is the name of the cooperative space station now being built?
a.
International Space Station
b.
Mir
c.
Soyuz
d.
Skylab
Hint
8.
What is the difference between refracting and reflecting telescopes?
a.
A refracting telescope uses a convex lens to magnify an image, and a reflecting telescope uses a mirror.
b.
A refracting telescope uses a mirror, and a reflecting telescope uses a concave lens to magnify an image.
c.
There is no difference.
d.
A reflecting telescope uses a convex lens to magnify an image, and a refracting telescope uses a mirror.
Hint
9.
What additional question are scientists exploring about the Moon?
a.
Does water exist in the craters of the Moon's poles?
b.
Does the Moon have an atmosphere?
c.
Is the Moon habitable?
d.
Can we harvest soil from the Moon?
Hint
10.
Which country was able to put the first human in space?
a.
Japan
b.
Soviet Union
c.
China
d.
United States
Hint
11.
Why are radio telescopes considered to be dependable telescopes?
a.
because they never run out of energy
b.
because they use radio waves, which pass freely through Earth's atmosphere in any weather condition
c.
because they use radio waves, which do not pass freely through Earth's atmosphere due to unpredictable weather
d.
because they use radios to help various telescope's computers communicate with each other
Hint
12.
What does it mean to talk about the frequency of electromagnetic radiation?
a.
the distance waves travel in a certain amount of time
b.
the distance a line travels in a certain amount of time
c.
the number of times a wave moves per unit of sound
d.
the number of times a wave vibrates per unit of time
Hint
13.
The destination of the space probe
Cassini
is __________.
a.
Uranus
b.
Jupiter
c.
Saturn
d.
Pluto
Hint
14.
What did NASA administrators particularly like about the space shuttle?
a.
It would be reusable, so it would cost less.
b.
It would be cheaper to make, so it would cost less.
c.
It would be more accurate, bring back more data, and it would be more cost effective.
d.
Many countries would chip in, so it would cost less.
Hint
15.
The use of adaptive optics integrates a dependence on __________.
a.
computers
b.
lasers
c.
mirrors
d.
lenses
Hint
16.
A modern application for a satellite is for __________.
a.
all answers are correct
b.
transmitting radio and television signals
c.
gathering pictures of Earth's surface
d.
gathering scientific data
Hint
17.
What is the purpose of the New Millennium Program?
a.
to create technology faster than other nations
b.
to develop technology that will create more jobs on Earth
c.
to create satellites to spy on other nations
d.
to develop advanced technology that will let NASA send smart spacecraft into the solar system
Hint
18.
Space probes, unlike satellites, are able to __________.
a.
travel out of the solar system
b.
go into orbit
c.
gather data
d.
be retrieved
Hint
19.
A satellite traveling around an object in a curved path is said to be __________.
a.
circling
b.
in orbit
c.
falling
d.
lost
Hint
20.
What limits spacecrafts from exploring space further?
a.
the fact that we don't know what's out there
b.
fuel
c.
sunlight
d.
air
Hint
