Chapter 31.1 % 31.2 Flashcards
constellations
many of the names given to these groups of stars by ancient cultures remain today are called
radio telescope
collects and amplifies radio waves
light-year
is the distance light travels in one year
spectroscope
uses a prism or diffraction grating to separate light into its component wavelengths
nebula
stars form from a large cloud of gas, ice and dust called
main sequence
stars include the broad band of stars from hot, bright stars in the upper left corner of the diagram to the cool, dim stars in the lower right corner
giant star
as equilibrium ends, the star’s core contracts, the temperature increases, and the star’s outer layers expand and cool
white dwarf
forms as the core of a giant star no longer supports fusion and the star’s outer layers escape into space, leaving a hot and dense core
black hole
is an area in space that is so dense that nothing can escape its pull of gravity
photo sphere
is the layer of the sun that emits light into space
sunspots
are dark, cool areas in the photosphere where the sun’s magnetic field has weakened
supernovas
as iron accumulates in the core of a supergiant star, energy is absorbed and the star can no longer support itself
neutron star
a celestial object of very small radius and very high density, composed predominantly of closely packed neutrons
How do constellations get their names?
characters from stores, animals, tools
What is the name of the constellation of the great hunter?
orions belt
