Exoplanets and Their Characteristics

The video discusses two exoplanets, Kepler-10b and Gliese 1214 B, highlighting their unique characteristics. Kepler-10b is a super-Earth with a very short orbital period, located extremely close to its star, raising questions about planet migration. Gliese 1214 B is a mini Neptune with an uncertain composition, possibly a Waterworld. The video explores the challenges in determining the composition of exoplanets, despite having precise measurements of their mass and size.

What is the orbital period of Kepler-10b?

• 1.5 days

• 0.85 days

• 2.5 days

• 0.5 days

How close is Kepler-10b to its star compared to Mercury's distance from the Sun?

• 15 times closer

• 5 times closer

• 20 times closer

• 10 times closer

What is a significant challenge in planetary physics related to planets like Kepler-10b?

• Measuring their size

• Understanding their color

• Explaining their migration

• Determining their age

What type of planet is Gliese 1214 B classified as?

• Super-Earth

• Mini Neptune

• Dwarf Planet

• Gas Giant

What is the estimated temperature of Gliese 1214 B's atmosphere?

• 300 Kelvin

• 900 Kelvin

• 700 Kelvin

• 500 Kelvin

What is one possible composition of Gliese 1214 B?

• A rocky planet with a hydrogen atmosphere

• A gas giant with a thick atmosphere

• A planet with a metallic core

• A planet with a nitrogen atmosphere

What is a Waterworld as speculated for Gliese 1214 B?

• A planet with a large ocean of liquid water

• A planet with a thick ice layer

• A planet with a superfluid water layer

• A planet with a dense atmosphere

Where on Earth can superfluid water naturally occur?

• In freshwater lakes

• In the atmosphere

• In polar ice caps

• In deep-sea vents

What is a challenge in determining the composition of exoplanets?

• Lack of telescopes

• Inability to measure mass

• Difficulty in observing their color

• Precision measurements leading to dead ends

What assumption is made about the structure of exoplanets when determining their composition?

• They have no atmosphere

• They are hollow

• They are spherically symmetric

• They are flat