Lesson 1: Vocabulary Flashcards
Vernal Equinox
March 21
Tropic of Cancer
23.5 degrees N latitude
Winter Solstice
December 21
Tropic of Capricorn
23.5 degrees S latitude.
Refraction
Light being deflected in passing obliquely through the interface between one medium and another.
Refracting telescope
The first lens(larger objective lens) focuses light from a distant object, which then can be magnified and examined by using a second lens(eyepiece lens).
Chromatic Aberration
Each colour bends a little differently when it goes through glass.
Rotation
Spinning on an imaginary axis.
Summer solstice
June 21
Autumnal Equinox
September 23
Period
Used to describe the time required to complete a cycle.
Charge-Coupled Device(CCD)
A very sensitive light detector made of a thin silicon wafer about the size of a postage stamp.
Spherical Aberration
When a concave mirror is cut into a spherical surface and light rays from the outer edges of the mirror focus slightly closer than light rays from near the center of the mirror.
Parsec
3.26 light-years
Seeing
Turbulence in the upper atmosphere, which can cause dim incoming light to refract slightly.
Transparency
Refers to how clear the sky is.
Radio Telescope
Used to detect radio emissions from the sky.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The range of wavelengths or frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends.
Light-year
Distance = speed(of light) X time(seconds in a year). The distance light travels in one year.
Astronomical Unit
The distance between Earth and the Sun.
Photon
Tiny packet of energy.
Constellation
A group of stars forming a recognizable pattern.
