Exploring the Cosmos - Degree Exam 2010 - Galaxies and Large Scale Structure
1. How does the solar system move with respect to the galactic centre?
It moves in a nearly circular orbit around the galactic centre
It moves in a strongly elliptical orbit around the galactic centre
It does not move in respect to the galactic centre
It is spiralling inwards to the galactic centre
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of Population II stars?
Population II stars are usually very young
Population II stars are 'metal poor'
Population II stars are 'metal rich'
Population II stars are often O or B class stars
3. Which of the following processes does not contribute to the creation of 'metals' (elements heavier than Hydrogen and Helium)?
Supernova, Type 2
Planetary nebulae
Emission nebulae
Supernova, Type 1a
4. By observing what astronomical objects was it first found that the Solar System is not located in the centre of the Milky Way?
Black holes
Absorption nebulae
Globular clusters
Cepheids
5. Which of the following terms does not refer to one of the major galaxy classes?
Spiral
Barred Elliptical
Barred Spiral
Elliptical
6. Which of the following characteristics is true for Spiral Galaxies?
Spiral Galaxies mainly feature Population II stars.
Very little interstellar medium is present in spiral galaxies
In spiral galaxies there is very little active star formation
Spiral Galaxies feature Population II stars as well as Population I stars
7. Several different measurements indicated that our galaxy is a spiral galaxy. Which of the following observations does not give evidence for the presence of spiral arms?
Infra-red measurements of the dust density in the Milky Way
Location of nearby Globular clusters
Location of CO clouds within the galaxy
Location of nearby O and B stars
8. Which of the following conditions can be responsible for the creation of an irregular galaxy?
A super-massive black hole in the centre of the galaxy
Continuous inflow of atomic Hydrogen from outside the galaxy
A quasar in the centre of the galaxy
Collision of two galaxies
9. Which of the following Galaxy types does not belong to the Spiral Galaxies?
Sa
SBb
Sc
S0
10. Today we know that the Milky Way has two disk components. Which of the following statements is correct?
The stars in the thick disc have an iron to oxygen ratio that suggests they were formed later than the thin disk.
The stars of the two disc components move in opposite direction around the galactic centre.
The stars in the thin disc have an iron to oxygen ratio that suggests they were formed later than the thick disk.
The stars of the thin disk have a stronger oscillatory motion than stars in the thick disc.
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