Your next space vacation
When it comes to vacationing, Earth is getting a tad predictable. Why sip margaritas on the beach when you could take a light-speed journey across the cosmos? There's only one problem: Where do you go to make sure you see the wonders of the universe without getting lost in space? Take this quiz to see whether you should plan your next galactic getaway or leave it to a seasoned space travel agent.
Everybody knows the story of Narnia: Three kids open a door, and suddenly, they walk into an alternate world. Well, we all realize that an escape from the ordinary isn't that simple. Or is it? What celestial objects might serve as a gateway to a parallel universe?
Black holes
Globular clusters
Supernovas
Alternate reality? I can barely handle this one, thanks.
While globular clusters may sound mystical, they're nothing more than a congregation of very old stars. You could travel to 140 such clusters without ever leaving the Milky Way galaxy, much less the universe. To do that, you need to find a black hole, which could serve as a doorway to an alternate reality, according to some scientists.
Here on Earth, we sometimes plan our vacations around, well, death. For example, some people travel to Mexico to participate in Day of the Dead celebrations. Others take in a bullfight while visiting, say, Spain, Portugal or Peru. If you're of this ilk, there's one spectacular display of death you'll want to see while trekking across the cosmos. What is it?
An aurora
A solar prominence
A supernova
Some stars like to go out with a bang. Literally. A supernova is a stellar explosion that results in a burst of radiation so bright that it may outshine most galaxies before fading from view after several weeks. But even in this short time, these dying stars can radiate as much energy as the sun is expected to emit over its entire life.
Most folks only get two weeks of vacation, so a six-month journey to Mars is out of the question. Soon, however, private companies like Virgin Galactic and Space Adventures will be offering vacations to ordinary folks with extraordinary amounts of cash. Where will these lucky individuals stay/bunk during their space-cation?
The International Space Station
Moonbase Orion
A rocket RV
The Space Sheraton
Even if a lunar outpost existed, many civilians probably wouldn't find the spartan living conditions appealing. Instead, the first generation of space tourists will go to the International Space Station, an 827,794-pound, 167.3-foot-long haven orbiting Earth. That's 375,481 kilograms and 51 meters, in case you were wondering. Amenities include five bedrooms, two bathrooms and a gym, all with decor akin to your local IT department.
Neil Armstrong was one lucky astronaut -- he took a giant leap for all mankind but didn't have to foot the bill. Civilian astronauts won't be so fortunate. How much could you expect to spend for a 16-day trip to the International Space Station and a five-day side trip to the moon?
$25 million
$50 million
$100 million
$200 million
A price tag of $100 million may sound steep, but it's a bargain compared to a typical space shuttle flight, which costs, on average, $1.3 billion. Even so, most people will balk at a nine-digit credit card bill. Luckily, Space Adventures, the company offering these packages, has a budget-friendly option starting at $20 million for a week at the International Space Station. Still too much? Then you might want to make a reservation on a Virgin Galactic flight to low-Earth orbit, which will run you a mere $200,000.
In the next few generations, humans may be traveling routinely to space resorts located on -- or above -- other planets. The resources to build these resorts, however, won't come from Earth, but from other celestial objects. Which of the following will likely provide the source material for a Martian Disney World?
Binary stars
Near-Earth asteroids
Pluto
The Van Allen Belts
Years of research has revealed that near-Earth asteroids -- those traveling to within 121 million miles (195 million kilometers) of the sun -- may contain iron, nickel and magnesium. Scientists even believe that water, oxygen, gold and platinum may exist on some asteroids. Instead of hauling material from Earth, humans colonizing space will take advantage of these vast resources to build their cities and amusement parks.
Who knew one of the most bountiful substances on Earth would be so scarce in the rest of the galaxy and maybe even the universe? Scientists are searching desperately to find traces of water that may hold small microbes similar to those found on our home planet. What body in the solar system could be a watery world and a promising environment for extraterrestrial life?
Earth's moon
ET? No way!
Jupiter's moon, Europa
Contrary to what you might think, Mars isn't the only place that has captured the attention of scientists. Europa's subterranean oceans hold double the amount of water available on Earth. The chances of life are uncertain, and scientists are trying to determine whether oxygen can reach the ocean, which is covered by thick sheets of ice. But the prospect of finding liquid water makes Europa a tantalizing target for future NASA missions.
So, you've reached the top of Mount Everest, the highest point on planet Earth. The thrill has worn off, and you're looking for your next adventure. What can compare to risking your life climbing up an icy mountain that straddles Nepal and Tibet? The answer can be found in space -- on a gas-giant planet with an unusual mountain range on its rings. Which planet has this feature?
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Good news for thrill seekers: A trip to Saturn will challenge you as much as any Earth-based adventure. The rings you thought were flat and smooth are, in reality, up to 2 miles (more than 3 kilometers) high, jumping into the third dimension and creating a sort of mountain range in the heavens. Astronomers recently caught a peek of the peaks during Saturn's equinox, sparking the imaginations of scientists and Sherpas alike.
During the holidays, you take extraordinary measures to outshine the neighbors. That flashing Santa on your roof stops traffic. When you're faced with space travel, where can you go to get your fix of photons -- a place that puts the Milky Way's glow to shame?
Auroras
Black holes
Star clusters
Ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs)
Let's just say the neighbors ain't seen nothing like this. ULIRGs are up to 1,000 times brighter than the typical galaxy, including the Milky Way. Produced by galactic collisions, they radiate more than 90 percent of their light in the form of infrared radiation. While the Milky Way may produce one new star a year, a ULIRG produces about 100 stars, heating large amounts of dust to create a glowing effect.
As much as we prepare for the perfect, hassle-free vacation, something almost always goes wrong. There's lost luggage, sunburns and Montezuma's revenge. A cosmic vacation is no day at the beach, either. What hazards will you face on your next space adventure?
Cosmic rays
Space junk
Bone loss
All of the above
Don't get too comfy in that rocket! Human travelers exposed to cosmic rays, highly energetic subatomic particles ripping through space at the speed of light, can develop cancer and other health problems. Low-gravity environments can also be a concern, causing irreversible bone loss. And watch out for cosmic flotsam and jetsam -- little bits of space junk and micrometeorites -- that can puncture spacesuits and the hulls of spacecraft.
A comet can put on quite a show when it ventures into the inner solar system. Unfortunately, these glowing balls of ice and dust make long, long journeys around the sun. Halley's Comet, for example, last flew by Earth in 1986 and won't come back again until 2062. If you're a diehard comet enthusiast, you won't want to wait that long. Where could you travel to see more than a trillion comets?
Oort cloud
Comet corral
Accretion disks
The Oort cloud is a vast, symmetrical region on the outskirts of the solar system filled with icy spheres made of ammonia, water and methane. Astronomers think many comets in the inner solar system, including Halley’s Comet, originate here. Most remain locked in the cloud until the gravitational tug of a passing star pulls one free and sends it hurtling through space on a regular, but eccentric, orbit.
Correct
You couldn't tell the difference between the moon and Uranus. Stick to sipping colorful cocktails on Earth's safe and comfortable beaches.
Correct
To infinity and beyond may be a little too adventurous for you. Sharpen up on your extraterrestrial trivia.
Correct
Study hard and prosper. You may be a galactic genius with a little more effort.
Correct
The force is with you. Get ready to conquer the final frontier!
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