Mars Quiz

2. How many Martian moons are there?

• 2
  Correct! The two Martian moons (dubbed Deimos and Phobos) pale in comparison to the complement of Uranus, which has at least 18 moons.
• 3
  Incorrect. The two Martian moons (dubbed Deimos and Phobos) pale in comparison to the complement of Uranus, which has at least 18 moons.
• 4
  Incorrect. The two Martian moons (dubbed Deimos and Phobos) pale in comparison to the complement of Uranus, which has at least 18 moons.

3. Spanning 336 miles, what is the Olympus Mons?

• The largest volcano in the solar system.
  Correct! This massive volcano also rises 10 miles higher than Mount Everest.
• The longest river in the solar system.
  Incorrect. This massive volcano also rises 10 miles higher than Mount Everest.
• One of Mars' orbiting moons.
  Incorrect. This massive volcano also rises 10 miles higher than Mount Everest.

4. What was the reason that Percival Lowell, an early authority on Mars, gave for the canal-like grooves on Mars?

• The canals were the handiwork of intelligent creatures.
  Correct! Lowell's seemingly inane claim caused a long-lasting controversy at the beginning of the 20th century.
• The canals were caused by tremors on the planet's surface.
  Incorrect. Lowell's seemingly inane claim that the canals were the handiwork of intelligent creatures caused a long-lasting controversy at the beginning of the 20th century.
• The canals remained after a massive ocean dried up.
  Incorrect. Lowell's seemingly inane claim that the canals were the handiwork of intelligent creatures caused a long-lasting controversy at the beginning of the 20th century.

5. How does the atmosphere of Mars differ from the Earth?

• It's thinner.
  Correct! The atmosphere of Mars is thinner, consisting mainly of carbon dioxide, with some nitrogen and argon
• It's heavier.
  Incorrect. The atmosphere of Mars is thinner, consisting mainly of carbon dioxide, with some nitrogen and argon
• It's relatively the same.
  Incorrect. The atmosphere of Mars is thinner, consisting mainly of carbon dioxide, with some nitrogen and argon

6. How long is a Mars year?

• 525 days
  Incorrect. The mean distance of Mars from the sun is about 141 million miles, almost twice that of the Earth's.
• 687 days
  Correct! The mean distance of Mars from the sun is about 141 million miles, almost twice that of the Earth's.
• Practically the same as the Earth's year
  Incorrect. The mean distance of Mars from the sun is about 141 million miles, almost twice that of the Earth's.

7. SNCs, or meteorites from Mars that have been discovered on Earth, were named for the cities in which they were found. Which of these are the original sites?

• Shergotty, India; Nakhla, Egypt; and Chassigny, France.
  Correct! 13 SNC's have been discovered, the most recent in 1997.
• Singapore, Singapore; Naples, France; and Callo, Peru.
  Incorrect. 13 SNC's have been discovered in Shergotty, India; Nakhla, Egypt; and Chassigny, France. The most recent in 1997.
• San Antonio, USA; Nassau, The Bahamas; and Charleroi, Belgium.
  Incorrect. 13 SNC's have been discovered in Shergotty, India; Nakhla, Egypt; and Chassigny, France. The most recent in 1997.

8. Which of these spacecraft most recently landed on Mars' surface?

• Mariner
  Incorrect. The Pathfinder landed in a boulder-strewn outflow channel known as Ares Vallis on July 4, 1997.
• Endeavor
  Incorrect. The Pathfinder landed in a boulder-strewn outflow channel known as Ares Vallis on July 4, 1997.
• Pathfinder
  Correct! The Pathfinder landed in a boulder-strewn outflow channel known as Ares Vallis on July 4, 1997.

9. Since 1992's launch of Mars Observer, significant changes have been made to NASA's exploration of the planet. Which of the following is true?

• NASA Officials have tried to develop "cheaper, better, faster" science missions.
  Correct! According to a New York Times article on September 21, 1999, NASA has tried to contain costs of the most recent Mars missions, Orbiter and Polar Lander, to $327.5 million dollars.
• Congress wants NASA to spend more on interplanetary exploration.
  Incorrect. According to a New York Times article on September 21, 1999, NASA has tried to contain costs of the most recent Mars missions, Orbiter and Polar Lander, to $327.5 million dollars.
• The NASA ground support team has been expanded to more than 500 people.
  Incorrect. According to a New York Times article on September 21, 1999, NASA has tried to contain costs of the most recent Mars missions, Orbiter and Polar Lander, to $327.5 million dollars.

10. Which of these is not a reason Mars is known as the "red planet"?

• Romans named it for the God of War because it reminded them of blood.
  Incorrect. Though we may personify the moon, the ancient Romans were the first to name the planet.
• The oxidized iron in the planet's soil appears red.
  Incorrect. Though we may personify the moon, the ancient Romans were the first to name the planet.
• Its reddish hues make it look angry.
  Correct! Though we may personify the moon, the ancient Romans were the first to name the planet.