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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When probes enter the atmospheres of other planets, what color do they often see the sky to be?

2. How likely does Sagan think it is that the records on Voyager will eventually be found?

3. About how long does Sagan suggest that human beings have been "settled down"?

4. As of the writing of this book, how many moons was Uranus known to have?

5. Sagan says that which of the following is the most immediately obvious thing about the Earth?

Short Essay Questions

1. How was Sagan involved in discoveries about Titan?

2. What are the "great demotions" that Sagan refers to?

3. What advantage make it more likely that the Voyager records will eventually be found?

4. Why does Saga say he is optimistic about the "human prospect"?

5. What are the distinguishing characteristics of the planet Uranus?

6. What does the Strong Anthropomorphic principle suggest?

7. Why did ancient people believe there could not be any other planets beyond the ones they knew about?

8. What contributed to the formation of the first microbes on Earth?

9. What seemingly important features of humanity does Sagan deny to be distinguishing?

10. What may have happened to other planets from the early solar system?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the time this book was written, about 200 large asteroids were known to have orbits that would take them close to Earth. Asteroids have caused major catastrophes in the past and could be a threat in the future.

1) Describe how Earth-bound asteroids are identified and tracked.

2) Discuss the danger that asteroids pose to the Earth and some of the catastrophes that major impacts have brought about in the past.

3) Explain some of the methods that Sagan discusses in the book for dealing with Earth-bound asteroids.

Essay Topic 2

Mars is Earth's nearest neighbor and the best candidate for human exploration and settlement.

1) Explain some of the characteristics of the planet Mars, including those that make it a good candidate for human colonization.

2) Discuss the indicators on Mars that suggest to Sagan that life could be found on the planet.

3) Describe the process that Sagan discusses which would be necessary to terraform Mars.

Essay Topic 3

The program SETI is the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. Sagan endorses this program whole-heartedly despite its failure to date and many complaints about its cost.

1) Explain the SETI program and its goals, and how it goes about its search for intelligence.

2) Discuss some of the criticisms about the SETI program.

3) Explain why Sagan maintains his support for the program, despite its failure to date.

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