11. Measuring Mass

Question 1

Define seeing

Answer 1

The blurring and twinkling of astronomical objects caused by turbulent mixing in the earths atmosphere varying the optical refractive index

Question 2

Define unresolved

Answer 2

Seeing more than one object as just one blurred object

Question 3

Define visual binaries

Answer 3

Binaries in which we can clearly see both components

Question 4

Define spectroscopic binaries

Answer 4

Binary star systems that cannot be resolved individually

Question 5

Define double lined spectroscopic binary

Answer 5

When both stars are comparably bright and so absorption lines from both stars are able to be seen

Question 6

Define single lined binaries

Answer 6

Where one star is much brighter than the other so the spectrum of the fainter star will be overwhelmed

Question 7

Methods of finding exoplanets

Answer 7

Doppler wobble

Exoplanetary transit

Question 8

Define hyperfine splitting

Answer 8

The tiny difference in energy between electron orbits in which the electron and proton spin in the same direction, and orbits in which they spin in opposite directions

Question 9

Virial theorem

Answer 9

The kinetic energy of a large, self-gravitating system is minus 1/2 its gravitational potential energy