5. Solar System Observation Flashcards
Describe the Pinhole Projection Method
Poke a tiny hole at the bottom of a long tube
Cover the other end of the tube with a sheet like baking paper
Point the sheet-covered end towards the sun
Project the image that comes from the tiny hole onto a piece of paper
What is the Ecliptic?
A circle on the Celestial Sphere representing the Sun’s apparent path throughout the year
What is the Zodiacal Band?
A faint band of light along the Ecliptic
What is the difference between direct and retrograde motion of planets?
Direct - The motion of a body that is the same/similar to other bodies in its system (the normal orbit)
Retrograde - An apparent change in motion of a planet in the sky, not actually moving backwards but appears to be
Why does retrograde motion occur?
When a faster moving planet catches up to and passes a slower planet
What is the First Point of Aries?
The location of the Spring Equinox, used as a ref point in Celestial Coordinate Systems
What is the First Point of Libra?
The location of the Autumn Equinox, used as a ref point in Celestial Coordinate Systems
What is the appearance of Meteors?
Like a shooting star
What is the appearance of a Meteor Shower?
Long glowing streaks of light all coming from one point
Why do Meteor Showers happen?
They happen when the Earth passes through the trail of debris left by a comet or asteroid
What is the radiant of a meteor shower?
The location in the sky where all the meteors would appear to come from
How do you find the radiant?
By seeing where the meteor’s tails are pointing towards
What is Superior Conjunction?
Planets and the Sun appear in the same place in the sky
Sun in front of the planet
Only happens with planets behind Earth (eg Mars, Jupiter)
What is Inferior Conjunction?
When a planet is between the Earth and Sun
Only happens with planets inside Earth’s orbit (Venus & Mercury)
What is Opposition?
The position of a planet exactly opposite the sun in the sky
