astronomy unit study guide Flashcards
8th grade science
Define a planet
-orbits the sun
-has a spherical shape
-does not share the space of its orbit with any other object of significant size (other than the moon)
Define a moon
-a rocky object that orbits another object in the solar system
What are the terrestrial planets
They are: mercury, venus, earth and mars
-My Very Educated Mother
What are the jovian planets
They are: jupiter, saturn, uranus and neptune
-Just Served Us Nachos
Define a dwarf planet
-orbits the sun
-rigid, nearly spherical
-share their orbit
-are NOT moons
What is an asteroid
Rocky objects in orbit around the sun
What is a comet
-made of rock/ice
-only SSSB(small solar system bodies) seen with nacked eye
Difference between: Meteriod, meteor, and meteorites
Meteoid: small space rock
Meteor: can enter Earth’s atmosphere
meterites: can reach earth surface
define nebula
An immense cloud of interstellar gas and dust
cosmOLOGY
Study of the structure of the universe
cosmOGONY
study of universes orgin
cosmological red shift
Lengthening of the wavelength of light from distant galaxies due to the expanding universe
CMBR- Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
Electromagnetic energy in the microwave band that appears to come from all directions in space.
reflecting telescope
uses mirrors and reflection to gather light
refracting telescope
uses only lenses and refraction to gather light
radio telescope
builds image by plotting positions of radio signal strength data as colored pixels
space telescopes
above earth’s atmosphere, therefore able to observe infrared, ultraviolet, x rays and gamma rays
rocket
device powered by a reaction engine
satellite
man-made objects that orbit a planet or moon
Moons are natural satellites
probes
space vehicals that follow a one way path from earth
lander
probe designed to land softly ona a planet
rover
remote controlled mobile landers
