Sky Science #1 Flashcards
When and where did Nicholas Copernicus live?
He lived in Poland in the 1500’s.
Who was Nicholas Copernicus?
He was a Polish astronomer.
What did Nicholas Copernicus discover?
He discovered that the Sun, not the Earth, is the center of the Solar System.
What was Sputnik?
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957. It was the first artificial satellite launched into space.
What is astronomical unit?
AU equals about 150,000,000 km
What is an AU used for?
It is used to measure the distance between the Sun and the planets.
What is a light year?
It is the distance light travels in one year.
What is a light year used for?
It is used to measure the distance between stars.
What are constellations?
They are groups of stars that form patterns.
Who named most constellations?
Most were named by Ancient Greeks.
What are two other names for The North Star?
They are the Pole Star and Polaris.
Name two constellations that can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere.
Cancer
Orion
What is an asterism?
It is a constellation that is part of a bigger constellation.
Example: The Big Dipper (part of Ursa Major)
What does circumpolar mean?
It is a constellation that can be seen year round. (Seams to circle the pole)
Example: Ursa Major
