Explorations: An Introduction to Astronomy (Arny), 7th Edition

Chapter 9: The Terrestrial Planets

Thought Questions

1
What are some examples of resonances in everyday life?
2
How does the surface temperature of Venus relate to concerns about global warming of the Earth?
3
Suppose scientists discover simple life forms on Mars. Would that alter the way you look at life here on Earth?
4
Would Olympus Mons be as large if it were on Earth? Why or why not?
5
The average surface pressure on Mars is almost exactly equal to that below which water cannot be liquid. Review the topographic map of Mars in Figure 9.19. If you wanted to search an area that had the greatest probability of any location on Mars for liquid water today, where would you go and why?
6
Thinking about the relative roles of sunlight and greenhouse effect on temperature, volcanic activity and the gases it liberates, liquid water and a liquid water cycle, the presence or removal of CO2 in the atmosphere, and the ability to retain an atmosphere, make an argument as to whether Mars or Venus would be easier to "terraform" into a condition suitable for colonization (by introducing organisms that would use carbon dioxide to photosynthesize oxygen).
7
Reconcile the idea that Mars, Earth, and Venus all have approximately the same internal structure and composition, and the fact that the average density of Mars is nearly 1 g/cm3 less than Earth or Venus.
8
What evidence do we see from the terrestrial planets that supports the theory for the origin of the Solar System discussed in chapter 8?
9
What role might planetesimal impacts have played in the history of the terrestrial planets?
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