Chapter 2 Study Guide Flashcards
The angle between the North Celestial Pole and the horizon determines the?
You latitude
How do you find your longitude?
Measure the difference in time between your noon, and noon at the prime meridian (Greenwich)
Explain the moon cycle:
New moon
waxing crescent
1st quarter- right side is lit
waxing gibbous
FULL MOON
waning gibbous
3rd quarter- left side is lit
waning crescent
New moon
What is the perihelion, and which month does it occur?
When we are closest to the sun. It occurs in January.
What is the aphelion, and during which month does it occur?
When we are the furthest from the sun. In july.
What does a sidereal day measure?
It measures the Earth’s actual rotation. The sidereal day is complete if the sun returns to the same spot in the constellations.
What does a solar day measure?
It measures the length of time from one noon to the next noon.
What is a tropical year? Why do we use it?
Time from one vernal equinox to the next.
To keep track of harvesting, seasons, and planting.
What is a synodic month?
Measuring the start of a new month using the new moon.
What is a sidereal month?
Measuring the start of a new month using positions in the constellation.
Which is longer? A sidereal or synodic month?
Synodic is 29.5 days long, and sidereal is only 27.3.
