Astronomy MTT

Question 1

Apparent magnitude

Answer 1

Measure of brightness of star as appears from observer

Question 2

Black dwarf

Answer 2

Cold dark remains of white dwarf

Question 3

Black hole/ singularity

Answer 3

Collapsed star so massive that not even light can escape from gravitational field

Question 4

Gravitational lensing

Answer 4

Bending of light rays due to the distortion of space caused by massive object like black hole

Question 5

Light year

Answer 5

Distance light travels in a year, ~ 9.5 * 10^ 12

Question 6

Main sequence

Answer 6

Groups of stars lying in a line running from top left to bottom right of H-R diagram

Question 7

Neutron star

Answer 7

Remnant of supernova, consisting of entirely neutrons

Question 8

Nuclear fusion

Answer 8

Process in which H converted to He to produce light & heat

Question 9

Parallax

Answer 9

Technique used to measure distance to other stars

Question 10

Parsec

Answer 10

Astronomical unit of length = 3.26 l.y

Question 11

Stellar parallax

Answer 11

Apparent change in position of star throughout year due to earths motion around Sun

Question 12

Planetary nebula

Answer 12

Could of gas produced when red giant runs out of fuel

Question 13

Red giant

Answer 13

Star produced when core of sun-sized star runs of H

Question 14

Spectral class

Answer 14

Classification system for stars based on their colour

Question 15

Supernova

Answer 15

Giant explosion that occurs when star many times larger than our sun runs out nuclear fuel

Question 16

White dwarf

Answer 16

Hot dense star that is the remains of red giant

Question 17

Blue-shift

Answer 17

Compression of light waves due to motion of stars towards the Earth; blue-shift makes light appear bluer then it should

Question 18

Cosmic microwave background radiation

Answer 18

After-glow of he BB, low E radiation that fills universe

Question 19

Cosmology

Answer 19

Study of history & structure of entire universe

Question 20

Doppler effect

Answer 20

Expansion or compression of waves due to motion of object making the waves

Question 21

Milky Way

Answer 21

Galaxy in which solar sys located

Question 22

Red shifts

Answer 22

Stretching of light waves due to motion of stars away from Earth, makes light appear more red than should

Question 23

Steady state theory/ infinite universe theory

Answer 23

Now discounted theory that universe has always existed in form it is today

Question 24

Abiogenesis

Answer 24

Formation living organisms from inanimate material

Question 25

Accretion

Answer 25

Process which Ps of dust & rock slowly come together due to gravity to form larger object

Question 26

Cyanobacteria / blue green bacteria

Answer 26

Microscopic org store E from sunlight using photosynthesis

Question 27

Mood

Answer 27

Naturally occurring satellite orbits planet

Question 28

Planet

Answer 28

Celestial (relating to sky) body that’s in orbit around sun, has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that’s assumes round shape & has cleared neighbourhood around its orbit

Question 29

Protostar

Answer 29

Collapsing could of had that’ll eventually become star

Question 30

Gas giant

Answer 30

Large planet consisting mainly gasses; Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune

Question 31

Panspermia

Answer 31

Theory that life didn’t evolve on Earth but rather came to earth on a comet or meteorite

Question 32

Terrestrial planet

Answer 32

Literally “earth-like” planet, made primarily rock & solid material; Mercury, Venus, Earth & Mars

Question 33

Absolute magnitude

Answer 33

Measure how bright star would appear if 10 parsec from Earth