Astronomy Flashcards
1
Q
What is a satelite and the different types?
A
- Satelite: anything that orbits a planet
- Can be natural (moon) or artificial (man-made satelite)
2
Q
What path do the planets in our solar system orbit the sun?
A
- Planets follow an elliptical orbit (not a perfect circle)
3
Q
Asteroids vs comets
A
- Asteroids: made of rock and metal. Orbit in the asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter)
- Comets: made of ice and dust. Have a much more elliptical orbit and stay on the outskirts of the solar system
4
Q
What is a galaxy?
A
- A collection of billions of stars, most of which have their own solar systems
5
Q
What is the universe?
A
- A collection of trillions of different galaxies
- Mostly empty space
