ESSAY Q's 1

Question 1

Why do we measure some distances in astronomy in light-years and some in astronomical units?

Answer 1

Astronomical Unit: Distance between Sun and Earth.

Light Year: Measure of something that’s NOT in OUR solar system.

Question 2

What information does a star’s Greek-letter designation convey? Lecture 2

Answer 2

Apparent brightness of the star (Magnitude)

Question 3

How are the celestial poles and equator defined by Earth’s rotation? Lecture 2 or 3?

Answer 3

The axis of rotation. North and South Celestial Poles.

Question 4

Why have more people seen total lunar eclipses than total solar eclipses?

Answer 4

Lunar Eclipse lasts 1 hour and 45 min.

Solar Eclipse lasts 7 min.

Question 5

What are Kepler’s three laws?

Answer 5

1. The Law of Orbits; All planets move in elliptical orbits with the sun at one focus.
2. The law of Areas; A line that connects a planet to the sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times. Planets that are closer to the sun move faster and farther away they move slower.
3. The law of periods; K=pa^3 (a to the third power)