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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the primary distinguishing feature that SETI looks for to identify a communication from an intelligent source?
(a) Design parameters.
(b) Mathematical constants.
(c) Repetition.
(d) Prime Numbers.

2. According to Sagan, how profitable is it for a nation to invest in space exploration?
(a) It is highly profitable.
(b) It is not related to a nation's welfare.
(c) It has high costs.
(d) It has great benefits in a limited scope.

3. When does Sagan think that the human race will be "on its way"?
(a) When we begin colonizing other planets.
(b) When we begin living in space.
(c) When we make contact with another intelligent species.
(d) When we reach another star.

4. What types of information does SETI analyze?
(a) Radio waves.
(b) Cosmic rays.
(c) Gravitational waves.
(d) Magnetic waves.

5. What hazard from nuclear weapons causes "nuclear winter"?
(a) Cloud scattering.
(b) Acid rain.
(c) Smoke particles in the upper atmosphere.
(d) The erosion of land after plant life is wiped out.

6. What does Sagan believe about weapons of mass destruction?
(a) They must never used in anger.
(b) They are a necessary evil.
(c) They must be destroyed.
(d) They should be tightly controlled.

7. What was the name of the second mission that sent probes into the atmosphere of Venus?
(a) Brahe.
(b) Kepler.
(c) Mariner.
(d) Hubble.

8. What fuel source might be viable within asteroids?
(a) Organic solids.
(b) Bacteria byproducts.
(c) Methane.
(d) Hexane.

9. Sagan says that the dark matter that surrounds the Milky Way galaxy takes what shape?
(a) A column.
(b) A halo.
(c) A disk.
(d) A sphere.

10. When did the belief that Venus was a "sister planet" to Earth become dispelled?
(a) The mid twentieth century.
(b) The mid nineteenth century.
(c) The early twentieth century.
(d) The late nineteenth century.

11. How far out does the solar corona die out?
(a) 1200 AU.
(b) 5 AU.
(c) 550 AU.
(d) 70 AU.

12. Which of the following is NOT a major resource on Mars that makes it viable for "terraforming"?
(a) Water.
(b) Sunlight.
(c) Carbon dioxide.
(d) Calcium deposits.

13. What type of Mars mission did President Reagan turn down?
(a) A manned orbital mission.
(b) A robotic colony-building mission.
(c) A one-way colonization mission.
(d) A joint mission with the Soviets.

14. Which of the following characteristics of Venus is LEAST similar to Earth's?
(a) Mass.
(b) Size.
(c) Orbit.
(d) Gravitation.

15. When did a "disrupted" comet famously fall into Jupiter?
(a) 1982.
(b) 1994.
(c) 1964.
(d) 2000.

Short Answer Questions

1. Sagan suggests that the Apollo missions were primarily about what?

2. Which of the following is NOT one of the missions that observed Venus using radar telescopes?

3. What happens to the number of asteroids and comets in the solar system as time goes on?

4. What type of government is Sagan most opposed to?

5. Sagan describes the "myth" that he believes should be created as centering around what?

(see the answer keys)

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