Science Chapter 24 Vocab

Question 1

One of 88 groups or patterns of stars used to subdivide the heavens in order to locate and make individual stars

Answer 1

Constellation

Question 2

A huge, loose mass of billions of stars, other astronomical objects, and dust held together by gravity

Answer 2

Galaxy

Question 3

One of a pair of gravitationally connected stars that revolve around each other

Answer 3

Binary star

Question 4

A violent nuclear explosion that occurs when a white dwarf draws in hydrogen from a larger companion star in a stellar binary system

Answer 4

Nova

Question 5

A city-sized dense object that is the remnant of a supernova or collapsed white dwarf

Answer 5

Neutron star

Question 6

A group of stars close enough to be held together by gravity

Answer 6

Star cluster

Question 7

A strange astronomical object so massive and dense that it’s intense gravity prevents even light from escaping

Answer 7

Black hole

Question 8

The distance light travels in a year

Answer 8

Light year

Question 9

A violent end of stars of greater than about eight solar masses; a brilliant explosion that leaves behind a dead core such as a white dwarf, beauty on star, or black hole

Answer 9

Supernova

Question 10

An immense cloud of gas and dust in space

Answer 10

Nebula

Question 11

Unusual stars that regularly change brightness as they expand and contract in size

Answer 11

Cepheid variable