1. Explain how emission lines and absorption lines are formed.

In what sorts of
cosmic objects would you expect to see each?
- Emission lines are formed when an atoms electron moves from a higher energy level to a lower
one. That atom then emits a photon with a particular wavelength that corresponds to the energy
difference between the two levels. Can be seen in a low density gas cloud heated by the light of a
nearby star.
- Absorption lines are formed when light passes through a cloud and some photons with energies
corresponding to differences in energy levels in a given element are consumed by atoms to push
their electrons to higher energy levels. Can be seen when a continuous light source through a gas
cloud or a planetary atmosphere that intercepts some of the photons that pass through it.

2. Explain why we have to observe stars and other astronomical objects from
above Earth’s atmosphere in order to fully learn about their properties.
- Most astronomical units emit ultraviolet rays which Earths atmosphere has the ability to absorb
most of, so we observe from above earths atmosphere to view them properly.

3. The greenhouse effect can be explained easily if you understand the laws of
blackbody radiation. A greenhouse gas blocks the transmission of infrared
light. Given that the incoming light to Earth is sunlight with a characteristic
temperature of 5800 K (which peaks in the visible part of the spectrum) and the
outgoing light from Earth has a characteristic temperature of about 300 K
(which peaks in the infrared part of the spectrum), explain how greenhouse
gases cause Earth to warm up.
- Only a small portion of the incoming radiation is in the infrared part of the spectrum. Most of
the incoming energy is in the visible part of the spectrum, so only a small fraction of the
incoming radiation is blocked by the atmosphere. For outgoing radiation from Earth, a large
fraction is in the infrared part of the spectrum. Since this is blocked from escaping, there is a net
gain in Earth's energy leading to a warming effect.

4. When astronomers discuss the apertures of their telescopes, they say bigger
is better. Explain why.
- A bigger aperture allows you to use more magnification and produces image with higher
resolution. Also, it collects light making for a sharper image and can detect fainter sources than a
smaller one.

5. Why are the largest visible-light telescopes in the world made with mirrors
rather than lenses?
- Light does not pass through the mirror so flaws inside the mirror do not affect the path of the
light as they do with lenses. It is also easier to support a mirror because it can be held in place
from the back.

6. The largest observatory complex in the world is on Mauna Kea, the tallest
mountain on Earth. What are some factors astronomers consider when selecting an
observatory site? Don’t forget practical ones. Should astronomers, for example,
consider building an observatory on Denali (Mount McKinley) or Mount Everest?
- Maura Kea is more accessible (compared to Everest) and there is no light pollution on Mauna
Kea. Also, Mount Everest and Mount McKinley are very cloudy areas that get in the way of
observations while Mauna Kea is cloudless.

7. Which type of planets have the most moons? Where did these moons likely
originate?
- Giant/Gas planets have more moons. This is because they have much stronger gravitational
fields which makes it easier to capture smaller celestial bodies and possibly make them into
moons.

8. What is comparative planetology and why is it useful to astronomers?

- Comparative planetology is the comparing and contrasting of the properties of the diverse
worlds we encounter. It is useful to astronomers because it’s goal is to develop a comprehensive
theory of the origin and evolution of our planetary system. The distance between the planets gets
larger as the planets get farther from the Sun.

9. How do terrestrial and giant planets differ? List as many ways as you can
think of.
- Terrestrial: closer to the sun, higher density, silicates and metals, smaller
- Giant: farther from the sun, no solid surface (gas planets), more moons, larger

10. Describe three ways in which the presence of life has affected the
composition of Earth’s atmosphere.
- The development of plants such as blue-green algae, which processed CO2 and released
oxygen as a waste product, increased the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere and decreased the
amount of CO2. Eventually, as the plant population increased, the ozone layer was created,
Currently, human industrialization is releasing an increasing amount of CO2 into the atmosphere,
causing climate change.
- The burning of fossil fuels also releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses into the
atmosphere.
- Reducing the amount of forest cover also releases carbon dioxide and lowers the oxygen to
carbon dioxide/other gasses ratio.

11. Why is a decrease in Earth’s ozone harmful to life?

- Most ozone resides in the stratosphere where it acts as a shield to protect Earth's surface from
the sun's ultraviolet radiation. With a weakening of this shield, we would be more susceptible to
skin cancer, cataracts and impaired immune systems.

12. Europe and North America are moving apart by about 5 m per century. As the
continents separate, new ocean floor is created along the mid-Atlantic Rift. If the rift is 5000 km
long, what is the total area of new ocean floor created in the Atlantic each century? (Remember
that 1 km = 1000 m.)
- 20 km2/century or 0.2 km2/y