Quiz 1 Flashcards
What is the source of energy of a star? Give an example of a star?
A nuclear reaction called fusion that happens in the core of a star. Nuclear reactions are different from chemical reactions. Ex: the sun, Sirius, Polaris
What does IAU stand for?
International Astronomical Union
What is the solar system?
It is composed of the sun, the planets, and various other fragments of rocks
What is our galaxy called?
The Milky Way
How many stars (approximately) does a galaxy contain?
Between 100 and 400 billion
Give the order of which term contains the other:
- galaxies, universes, planets, solar systems
Universe > galaxies > solar systems > planets
What does the moon orbit around?
Earth
How long does the cycle of lunar phases last?
27 days long
How far is the moon from earth?
384 400km
Whose footprint is photographed on the earth?
Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 astronaut
How many people have stepped on the moon?
12 people
What is the atomic number of a chemical element?
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
What two elements have the lightest atoms?
Hydrogen and helium. They are the most abundant elements in the universe
What is most of earth’s atmosphere made of?
Nitrogen and Oxygen
What is the earths crust made of?
Two thirds of the atoms: oxygen
One third of the atoms: silicon
What determines the colour of a rock? (Element-wise)
Rocks rich in magnesium and iron have a darker colour, and vice versa
What is lunar surface made of?
Same things as earth. Oxygen and silicon
What are two types of lands on the moon?
Highlands: lighter surfaces
Lowlands: darker surfaces filled with billions of years old solidified iron and magnesium rich lava.
What is the ISS? What is its distance from Earth? How long does it take to complete an orbit?
International Space Station. It is at an altitude of about 400km above the surface of the earth. It completes one full orbit every 92 minutes
What does JWST stand for?
James Webb Space Telescope
What is Antares?
A red supergiant star
What is Olympus Mons?
The highest volcano in our solar systems, located on Mars.
How do chains of volcanic islands form?
When a tectonic plate continuously moves over a hot spot located below the plate
Why is Olympus mons that enormous?
Because there is no motion in the tectonic plate to carry that mountain past the hot spot located below the plate
What is Jupiter
5th planet from the sun, largest planet in our solar system, has the Great Red Spot (giant storm)
What is Ida and Dactyl
Two asteroids in the asteroid belt. Ida is Montreal sized. Dactyl is four times that of Dawson.
What is Fomalhaut b?
One of the earliest discovered extrasolar planets, in orbit around star Fomalhaut
What is extrasolar planet?
Any planet outside our solar system
What is the Crab Nebula (M1)
A nebula (cloud of gas) that is an SNR
What does SNR stand for?
Super Nova Remnant. The supernova was witnessed in 1054