Astronomy Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the Astronomy Exam with multiple choice questions, complete with explanations and insights for each question. Prepare effectively and enhance your understanding of celestial phenomena.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the temperature range at the poles of Mars during winter?

Up to -195 degrees F
Average of 0 degrees F
As low as -70 degrees F
Consistently around -32 degrees F

The correct answer is: Up to -195 degrees F

The temperature range at the poles of Mars during winter can indeed reach extraordinarily low values, with temperatures dropping down to approximately -195 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme cold is primarily due to the thin atmosphere of Mars, which does not retain heat effectively. During winter at the poles, carbon dioxide, which is present in the Martian atmosphere, can freeze and accumulate as dry ice, contributing to the significant drop in temperature. Mars' axial tilt leads to seasonal changes, similar to Earth, but the overall temperatures on Mars are much lower due to its greater distance from the Sun and its thin atmosphere, which is composed mostly of carbon dioxide. As a result, winter temperatures at the Martian poles can reach these frigid extremes, making the polar regions some of the coldest areas in the solar system. This understanding of Martian climatology helps scientists study potential past habitability and current conditions on the planet.