EU - Chapter 9 Vocabulary

Question 1

Altitude

Answer 1

The measurement that describes the vertical position of an object in relation to the horizon; measured in degrees from the horizon to a point directly overhead, known as the zenith (Pg. 309)

Question 2

Asterisms

Answer 2

A smaller, recognizable star pattern without a larger constellation (Pg .306)

Question 3

Asteroid Belt

Answer 3

A region of rocky debris that forms a ring all the way around the Sun at a distance of about 3 AU (Pg. 336)

Question 4

Asteroids

Answer 4

A metallic, rocky body without atmosphere that orbits the Sun but is too small to be classified as a planet or dwarf planet (Pg. 336)

Question 5

Astronomers

Answer 5

A person who knows and studies astronomy (Pg. 305)

Question 6

Astronomical Bodies

Answer 6

An object in space, including Earth (Pg. 305)

Question 7

Astronomical Unit (AU)

Answer 7

A unit of measure used to measure distances in space; one AU equals the average distance between the Sun and Earth, about 150 million kilometres (Pg. 332)

Question 8

Astronomy

Answer 8

The study of objects and phenomena in space (Pg. 305)

Question 9

Aurora Australis

Answer 9

The light displays in the Southern Hemisphere cause by the solar wind interacting with particles in Earth’s atmosphere (Pg. 323)

Question 10

Aurora Borealis

Answer 10

the light displays in the Northern Hemisphere cause by the solar wind interacting with particles in Earth’s atmosphere (Pg. 323)

Question 11

Azimuth

Answer 11

The measurement that describes the horizontal position of a celestial body in relation to due north; measured in degrees along the horizon starting from due north, moving in a clockwise direction

Question 12

Celestial Bodies

Answer 12

An object that can be observed in the sky; does not include Earth (Pg. 305)

Question 13

Comets

Answer 13

A celestial object made of ice and dust that travels in an elliptical orbit around the Sun (Pg. 338)

Question 14

Constellation

Answer 14

A group of stars that, observed from Earth, resembles a form (305)

Question 15

Declination

Answer 15

The vertical coordinate measurement that describes the position of a celestial body on the celestial sphere, similar to latitude; measured in units of degrees (Pg. 310)

Question 16

Dwarf Planet

Answer 16

An astronomical body that orbits the Sun, has enough mass to from a roughly spherical shape under its own gravitational force, and has an eccentric orbit or orbits in a zone that contains many other objects; protoplanets are a subgroup of dwarf planets; Pluto is a well known example of a dwarf planet (Pg. 337)

Question 17

Ecliptic

Answer 17

The apparent path of the Sun and planets as observed from Earth as the move through the sky during the year (Pg. 316)

Question 18

Equinoxes

Answer 18

The day of the year when the hours of daylight and hours of night are equal in length; the vernal equinox occurs around March 21 and the autumnal equinox occurs around September 22 (Pg. 308)

Question 19

Light-year (ly)

Answer 19

A unit of measure used to measure distances in space; one light-year equals the distance that a beam of light travels through space in one year, equivalent to 63 000 AU or 9000 billion km (Pg. 332)

Question 20

Lunar Eclipse

Answer 20

A celestial event that occurs when Earth blocks all or part of the Sun’s light shinning on the Moon, making the Moon briefly disappear (Pg. 320)

Question 21

Meteor

Answer 21

A meteoroid that enters Earth’s atmosphere and burns up as it collides with gas molecules (Pg. 339)

Question 22

Meteorite

Answer 22

A meteor that does not burn up completely and strikes Earth’s surface (Pg. 339)

Question 23

Nebula

Answer 23

A cloud of dust and gases in space, which scientists believe is an area of star formation (Pg. 330)

Question 24

Nebular Theory

Answer 24

The theory that explains the formation of the solar system and other start-and-planet systems from nebulae (Pg. 330)

Question 25

Orbit

Answer 25

The path along which an object, such as a planet, travels around another object, such as a star; Earth travels around the Sun in a slight elliptical orbit (Pg. 317)

Question 26

Planet

Answer 26

An astronomical body that orbits one or more stars and is capable of forming into a spherical shape under its own gravitational force, or gravity (Pg. 331)

Question 27

Revolution

Answer 27

One complete orbit of one object around another; one revolution of Earth around the Sun takes one year (Pg. 317)

Question 28

Right Ascension (RA)

Answer 28

The horizontal coordinate measurement that describes the position of a celestial body on the celestial sphere, similar to longitude; measured in units of hours, minutes, and seconds (Pg. 310)

Question 29

Rotation

Answer 29

One complete spin of an object, such as a planet, on its axis; one rotation or Earth takes 24 hours (Pg. 316)

Question 30

Satellite

Answer 30

An object that obits a planet, such as a moon; satellites may be natural or artificial (Pg. 318)

Question 31

Solar Eclipse

Answer 31

A celestial event that occurs when the Moon lies directly between Earth and the Sun, blocking all or part of the Sun’s light to viewers on Earth (Pg. 319)

Question 32

Solar Flare

Answer 32

A high energy, massive explosion at the surface of the Sun (Pg. 322)

Question 33

Solar Prominence

Answer 33

A large, low energy, curved, bright stream of particles (Pg. 322)

Question 34

Solar System

Answer 34

The Sun and all the planets and other celestial objects, such as moons, comets, and asteroids, that are held by the Sun’s gravity and orbit around it (Pg. 329)

Question 35

Solar Wind

Answer 35

The constant flow of particles streaming out of the Sun’s surface in all directions (Pg. 323)

Question 36

Solstices

Answer 36

The longest period of daylight or night in a year; the summer solstice is the longest day of the year and occurs around June 21 in the northern hemisphere; the winter solstice is the longest night of the year and occurs around December 21 in the northern hemisphere (Pg. 307)

Question 37

Star

Answer 37

A body of electrically charged gas, or plasma, that emits energy from nuclear reactions taking place in its core (Pg. 321)

Question 38

Sunspot

Answer 38

A region on the Sun’s surface that is cooler than the surrounding areas (Pg. 321)