Lesson 1: Vocabulary

Question 1

Vernal Equinox

Answer 1

March 21

Question 2

Tropic of Cancer

Answer 2

23.5 degrees N latitude

Question 3

Winter Solstice

Answer 3

December 21

Question 4

Tropic of Capricorn

Answer 4

23.5 degrees S latitude.

Question 5

Refraction

Answer 5

Light being deflected in passing obliquely through the interface between one medium and another.

Question 6

Refracting telescope

Answer 6

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).

Question 7

Chromatic Aberration

Answer 7

Each colour bends a little differently when it goes through glass.

Question 8

Rotation

Answer 8

Spinning on an imaginary axis.

Question 9

Summer solstice

Answer 9

June 21

Question 10

Autumnal Equinox

Answer 10

September 23

Question 11

Period

Answer 11

Used to describe the time required to complete a cycle.

Question 12

Charge-Coupled Device(CCD)

Answer 12

A very sensitive light detector made of a thin silicon wafer about the size of a postage stamp.

Question 13

Spherical Aberration

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Parsec

Answer 14

3.26 light-years

Question 15

Seeing

Answer 15

Turbulence in the upper atmosphere, which can cause dim incoming light to refract slightly.

Question 16

Transparency

Answer 16

Refers to how clear the sky is.

Question 17

Radio Telescope

Answer 17

Used to detect radio emissions from the sky.

Question 18

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Answer 18

The range of wavelengths or frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends.

Question 19

Light-year

Answer 19

Distance = speed(of light) X time(seconds in a year). The distance light travels in one year.

Question 20

Astronomical Unit

Answer 20

The distance between Earth and the Sun.

Question 21

Photon

Answer 21

Tiny packet of energy.

Question 22

Constellation

Answer 22

A group of stars forming a recognizable pattern.