Astronomy 150 – Midterm Name:February 2, 2006 – Winter 2006 TA’s Name & Section (2 pts):Answer all questions in the space provided. If you have any questions, raise your hand.100 points possible. No calculators.On the right is a table of the physical properties of theplanet Magrathea. This planet is located at a distanceof 1 AU from a star exactly like our Sun. Assume thatthis planet is made of the same materials as the planets inour solar system. Use the data in the table to answer thequestion on the next five pages.Read through the table carefully before you answerthe questions.MagratheaDensity 3.8 g/cm3Moment of Inertia 0.33Albedo 0.66Size 50% EarthMass 10% EarthAtmosphere Pressure 1.5 atmAtmosphere Composition 95% CO21 (4 pts) What is the most likely composition of Magrathea?2 (5 pts) Describe how the mass is distributed in the interior of Magrathea.3 (6 pts) How does the surface gravity on Magrathea compare to the gravity on the Earth? [show yourwork]4 (6 pts) Explain why the rate of heat loss from the interior of Magrathea is greater than the Earth’s.5 (6 pts) Observations suggest that Magrathea has currently active volcanoes on its surface. Explain whythis is unexpected.6 (6 pts) How would the size of the volcanoes on Magrathea compare to the size of similar types of volcanoon the Earth. Explain your answer.7 (4 pts) What does the Albedo tell you about the rocks on the surface of Magrathea?8 (6 pts) How would the surface temperature on Magrathea compare to the surface temperature on theEarth’s? Explain your answer.9 (6 pts) Would you expect to find liquid water on the surface of Magrathea? Explain your reasoning.10 (3 pts) On the left is an image of a thin section of arock from the surface of Magrathea. Based on the lunarsample images you looked at in lab, what type of rock is it?(check one) Basalt Breccia Regolith Pristine Highland Rock11 (6 pts) Describe how the parent rock formed. (The parent rock is the rock from which this thin–sectionwas taken.)12 (8 pts) Explain whether this rock would be rare or common on the surface of the Earth 2 billion yearsago and why.13 (8 pts) The rock from the previous page was collected from the rim of a 100-meter diameter impactcrater. How would the age of this rock compare to one found 500 meters from the rim? Explain youranswer.14 (8 pts) Assume that the population of objects that impact Magrathea and the Earth’s Moon arethe same. In the space below sketch the crater-density plot for the crater population on the surface ofMagrathea. Make sure to provide a range and label for the axes.15 (8 pts) Currently there are about 4000 objects that have the potential to hit the Earth. Explain how weknow this number was much larger in the past.16 (8 pts) The KT-boundary impact had a global effect on the Earth. Explain why the same sized impacton the Moon would not have the same consequences for the lunar
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