Science Chapter 1 and 2: Astronomy Flashcards
Sphere
A round, three dimensional object whose surface is the same distance from its center at all points; Earth is a sphere that bulges someone at the equator and is slightly flattened at the poles.
Axis
Imaginary vertical line that cuts through the center of Earth and around which Earth spins.
Rotation
Spinning of Earth on its imaginary axis which takes about 24 hours to complete and causes day and night to occur.
Revolution
Earth’s year long elliptical orbit around the sun.
Ellipse
Elongated closed curve that describes Earth’s year-long orbit around the sun.
Solstice
Twice yearly point at which the Sun reaches its greatest distance north or south of the Equator.
Equinox
twice yearly time each spring and fall when the sun is directly over the equator and the number of daylight and nighttime hours are equal worldwide.
Moon phase
Change in appearance of the Moon as viewed from the earth due to the relative positions of the moon, earth, and sun.
New moon
Moon phase that occurs when the moon is between Earth and the sun, at which point the moon cannot be seen because its lighted half is facing the Sun and its dark side faces Earth.
Waxing
Describes phases following a new moon, as more of the moon’s lighted side becomes visible.
Waning
Describes phases that occur after a full moon, as divisible lighted Side of the Moon grow smaller.
Lunar eclipse
occurs when Earth’s shadow falls on the moon.
Maria
dark-colored, relatively flat regions of the moon formed when ancient lava reached the surface and filled craters on the moon surface.
Electromagnetic spectrum
arrangement of electromagnetic radiation according to their wavelengths.
Refracting telescope
An optical magnifying instrument in which light from an object passes through a double convex lens and is bent to form an image at the focal point.
Reflecting telescope
An optical magnifying instrument that uses a concave mirror in the base of the telescope to focus light from an object and form an image at the focal point.
Observatory
A building used to house an optical telescope; often has a dome-shaped roof that can be open for viewing.
Radio telescope
An instrument that collects and records radio waves traveling through space and can be used day or night under most weather conditions; provides information to map the universe and look for life on other planets.
Optical telescopes
A telescope that uses light, which is a form of electromagnetic radiation, to produce magnified images of objects.
Rocket
A motor that does not require air to burn either liquid or solid propellant and can carry objects into space.
Satellite
Any natural or artificial object that revolves around another object in space.
Orbit
Curved path of a satellite that results from a combination of the satellites forward movement and gravitational pull of Earth.
Space probe
An instrument that carries data gathering equipment deep into space and sends information back to earth.
Project Apollo
Final stage of the US Space Program to reach the moon, with Apollo II landing on the moon surface on July 20, 1969.
Project Gemini
Early US Space Program where one Gemini astronaut team connected with another spacecraft in orbit
Project Mercury
First US space program that orbited a piloted spacecraft around Earth and brought it back safely.
What is the order of the electromagnetic spectrum?
Radio Waves → Microwaves → Infrared radiation → Visible light waves → Ultraviolet radiation → X Rays → Gamma rays
Natural vs. Artificial Satellites (with examples)
Natural satellites are satellites that were not created by humans. Artificial satellites are satellites made by humans. An example of a natural satellite is the moon. An example of a artificial satellite is the ISS (International space station).
What is the first object in space and what country is it from?
Sputnik I- Soviet Union
What is the first person in space and what country are they from?
Yuri Gagarin- Soviet Union
Who was the first person to land on the moon and what country are they from?
Neil Armstrong- United States
Who is the first person from the USA in space?
Alan B Shepard
What was the date of the moon walk?
July 20, 1969
Why was it so good to create space shuttles instead of rockets?
To spend millions of dollars on a rocket only for most of it to burn up and be destroyed was a waste of money and materials. So NASA created the space shuttle, a reusable spacecraft that transports astronauts, satellite, and other materials to and from space.
What is the definition of space station?
A laboratory in space where people can live and work in space.
How many people can live at the ISS at most?
7
What are earth’s physical characteristics?
Axis and tilt.
Why do we have seasons?
Earth’s tilt
How many degrees is Earth’s tilt?
Earth’s tilt is 23.5 degrees.
What is the date of the equinox?
The spring equinox is March 20 or 21. The fall equinox is September 22 or 23.
What is the date of the solstices?
In the northern hemisphere the summer solstice is June 20 or 21. The winter solstice is December 21 or 22.
How long is the moon’s revolution and rotation?
27.3 days
label and fill in phases of the moon.
⚪ <--3 and so on
⚪ ⚪ <-- 2. ⚪ 🌍 ⚪ <-- 1. ☀️ <-- sun
⚪ ⚪
⚪
- New moon
- Waxing crescent
- First quarter phase
- Waxing gibbous
- Full moon
- Waning gibbous
- Third quarter phase
- Waning crescent
🌓 <— 3. and so on
🌔 🌒 <–2.
🌕 🌍 🌑 <-1. ☀️
🌖 🌘
🌗
What is the order of the sun, moon and earth during a solar eclipse?
Sun → moon → earth
What is the order of the sun, moon and earth during a lunar eclipse?
Sun → earth → moon
What is an umbra?
The darkest portion of the shadow.
What is a penumbra?
The lighter portion of the shadow. People experience an partial eclipse in the penumbra.
