Running head: ASTRONOMY 1

Astronomy

Name

Institution
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Earth

1. what are the basis layers of the interior of the earth and what are they made out of?

a) The core which is divided into the inner and outer core. Inner core made of iron and

nickel. Unlike the inner core, the outer core is liquid, but made up mostly of iron and

nickel as well.

b) Mantle: Made up of rock containing silicon, iron, magnesium, and aluminum.

c) Crust: Made up of iron, magnesium, and silicon

2. How did the earth’s core get so hot?

Partly is because of the heat retained when the earth formed. Elements such as uranium

which produce much heat when decaying, and also the iron and nickel which produce

heat under pressure.

3. How does the earth generate a magnetic field? What important effect does the

earth’s magnetic field has?

liquid metal which conduct magnet field. Earth rotation aids in organizing the magnet

field and in the formation of the north and south poles. Deflecting charge particles that

can hit the earth’s atmosphere

4. What is the most important thing you learnt during this video?

What stood out for me is the reason why the interior of the earth remains to be very hot

despite the millions of years since the earth was formed. Also, the instructor is well

informed and enhances understanding.

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Moon

1. Where did moon come from?

The moon formed as a result of the debris collision from other planets, explaining why

the moon might have different compositions/materials that are also found in other planets.

2. Why do we see only one face of the moon?

It is thought this is because the moon tends to rotate in its axis at the same rate as it orbits

the earth (synchronous rotation), making it difficulty to see the far side of the moon.

3. What are maria? How did they get on the surface of the moon?

The maria refers to the basaltic plains on the surface of the moon which tend to be large

and dark. They got on the surface of the moon through volcanic eruptions and the larva

flow.

4. What was the most important thing that you learnt?

How maria is common on one part of the moon than the other, which is explained by the

differences in the strength of the materials forming the surface of the moon.

Mercury

1. How is Mercury’s rotation related to its orbit? Is Mercury tidally locked to the sun

like the moon and earth?

Yes. It also orbits the sun, but much faster than the earth.

2. What is the day like in Mercury?

58.65 earth day’s long.

3. How do we know how Mercury’s core is like? How might the core become so large?

The surface is rocky and dense like the earth, making astronomers to infer that the core is

made up of molten iron. The core remains so large because unlike the earth that has
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stronger gravitational force, it is weaker in Mercury. Therefore, most of the surface

materials vaporized and are not attracted back to the surface.

4. What was the most interesting thing you learnt?

Learning about the differences and similarities between the earth’s and the Mercury’s

inner core, especially why that of Mercury tends to be much bigger.

Venus

1. What could be three big problems trying to live on the Venus’ surface?

 Active volcanos increasing temperatures and making it difficult to live

 Greenhouse effects, making the planet so hot

 Air entire composed of carbon dioxide

2. How did Venus become so hot?

Green house effects, which accelerated the heating. Also, it is thought that the planet has

active volcanic

3. What is weird about the surface of Venus? What might explain this?

 Incredibly slow rotation, which explains the lack of magnetic field

 Spins backwards

 Surface temperature similar in all surface of the planet.

4. What is the most interesting thing you learnt?

Learning about the major reasons why it would be difficult to live Venus, especially the

unfavorable weather conditions.

Mars

1. Why is the surface of Mars Red?

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Because the surface of the planet is rusty. Surface made of volcanic rock and other minerals

that make the surface appear reddish

2. What is the evidence that water used to be on Mars’ surface?

Dry riverbeds, evidence of dried lakes.

3. What is the atmosphere like on the Mars? What happened to the Martian

atmosphere and water?

It has about 95% carbon dioxide, 3% nitrogen, and other gases. The Martian’s carbon

dioxide sublimes back leaving traces of water. The atmosphere is also affected by the

seasonal winds that transport large amounts of dust giving rise to large cirrus clouds.

4. Most interesting thing you learnt?

The reason why the Mars is known as the red planet.