Please answer each of the following questions. In every case, there is information in the video that is pertinent to the question but, in general, I would like you to think about the question for longer than is possible during the showing of the video. Take notes during class but then produce complete sentences for your answers and turn them in at class time on next Tuesday, Sept. 15. If you wish, you can get a fresh copy of these questions from the class web site.
[1] Why is Antarctica a good place to go to collect meteorites?
[2] What is one plausible explanation for the origin of our moon?
[3] What can looking at the surface of the moon tell us about the early Earth? What is a major difference between the moon and the Earth?
[4] How can we distinguish volcanic craters from impact craters?
[5] Why are craters relatively scarce on the surface of Earth?
[6] Describe the atmosphere of Venus.
[7] Although Mars is only one third the size of Earth, 2 of its geographic features rank as the largest examples of their type in the solar system. What are these 2 examples?
[8] Much of the geologic history of the solar system has been worked out by drawing analogues between direct observations on Earth and indirect/remote observations of the planets and moons. What is one example of this approach as applied to Mars?
[9] What is geologically remarkable about Jupiter's moon Io?
[10] What is the Oort Cloud and why do scientists think it may be very significant?
[11] What is the significance of the iridium (Ir) rich clay layer first found in Italy and now recognized from several other places in the world?