Chapter 26 - Studying Space Flashcards
Astronomy
The scientific study of the universe
Galaxy
A collection of stars, gas, and dust bound together by gravity
Astronomical Unit
The average distance between Earth and the Sun; approximately 150 million km
Electromagnetic Spectrum
All of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation
Telescope
An instrument that collects electromagnetic radiation from the sky and concentrates it for better observation
Refracting Telescope
A telescope that uses a set of lenses to gather and focus light from distant objects
Reflecting Telescope
A telescope that uses a curved mirror to gather and focus light from distant objects
Rotation
The spin of a body on its axis
Revolution
The motion of a body that travels around another body in space; one complete trip along an orbit
Perihelion
In the orbit of a planet or other body in the solar system, the point that is closest to the Sun
Aphelion
In the orbit of a planet or other body in the solar system, the point that is farthest away from the Sun
Equinox
The moment when the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator
Solstice
The point at which the Sun is as far North, or as far South as possible from the equator
Cosmology
The study of the origin, processes, properties, and evolution of the universe
Big Bang
The theory that all matter and energy in the universe was compressed into an extremely small volume that exploded and began expanding in all directions
Milky Way Galaxy
The galaxy in which our solar system resides
Light-Year
The distance which light can travel in one year
Visible Spectrum
The part of the electromagnetic spectrum which the human eye can see
Infrared
The part of the electromagnetic spectrum which has extremely long wavelengths unable to be seen by the human eye
Ultraviolet
The part of the electromagnetic spectrum which has extremely short wavelengths unable to be seen by the human eye
Optical Telescope
A telescope which collects visible light
Refraction
The bending of light
Radio Telescope
A telescope which collects radio waves
Hubble Space Telescope
A telescope which orbits the Earth and collects electromagnetic radiation from space
Challenger
The space shuttle which exploded killing all on board including one teacher
Vernal Equinox
The day in the spring when there are equal amounts of day and night
Autumnal Equinox
The day in the fall when there are equal amounts of day and night
Summer Solstice
The longest day of the year
Winter Solstice
The shortest day of the year
Coriolis Effect
The apparent curved path of moving objects due to the rotation of the surface underneath the object
Ellipse
A closed curve whose shore is determined by two points
Orbit
One complete revolution around an object - or the path taken to complete that revolution.
Constellation
A group of stars that are organized into a recognizable pattern
Gregorian Calendar
The calendar developed by a former pope which we still use a version of today
International Date Line
An imaginary line drawn through the Pacific Ocean which corresponds to the change from one day to another
