definitions Flashcards
universe
Universe= everything that exists, including all energy, matter and space.
celestial object
Celestial object= a naturally occurring physical entity, association, or structure that exists in the observable universe.
luminous
Luminous=Luminosity is the total amount of energy produced by a star per second which is measured by comparing it with the luminosity of the sun, which is assigned a luminosity of 1.
star
Star=massive collections of gases held together by their own gravity and emitting huge amounts of energy.
planet
Planet=Planets are large celestial objects that revolve around a star.
moon
Moon=The moon is a type of satellite. Earth has one satellite called the moon.
rotation
Rotation=the rotation of Planet Earth around its own axis.
revolution
Revolution=the rotation around the sun.
solar system
Solar system=the collection of eight planets and their moons in orbit around the sun, together with smaller bodies in the form of asteroids, meteoroids, and comets.
orbit
Orbit=the curved path of a celestial object or spacecraft around a star, planet, or moon, especially a periodic elliptical revolution.
satellite
Satellite=an artificial body placed in orbit around the earth or moon or another planet in order to collect information or for communication. A celestial body orbiting the earth or another planet.
nebula
Nebula=a cloud of gas and dust in outer space, visible in the night sky either as an indistinct bright patch or as a dark silhouette against other luminous matter.
auroras
Auroras=a natural electrical phenomenon characterized by the appearance of streamers of reddish or greenish light in the sky, usually near the northern or southern magnetic pole.
A.U. and ly
1 A.U. - (150 000 000 km) 1 ly - (9.46 x 1012 km)
inner planets
Inner planets
- Mars, Venus, Mercury & Earth
- known as terrestrial planets, as they have a solid rocky core.
outer planet
Outer planets
- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune
- known as gas giants, as they are composed mainly of gases and liquids.
asteroid belt
Asteroid belt=The asteroid belt is a region of space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter where most of the asteroids in our Solar System are found orbiting the Sun.
meteor
Meteor= in atmosphere
meteoroid
Meteoroid= in space
meteorite
Meteorite= hitting the earth
asteroid
Asteroid=Asteroids are composed of rock and metal. Although they orbit the sun, they are too small to be considered planets. Most asteroids lie in the asteroid belt, between Mars and Jupiter.
comet
Comet=Large chunks of ice, dust and rock that orbit the sun and range in size from less than 100 m to 40 km across.
waxing vs waning
Waxing vs. Waning= Increase in size - WAXING Decrease in size - WANING
gibbous and crescent
Gibbous vs. Crescent= Gibbous - more than ½ Crescent - less than ½