Sky Science Flashcards
Who was Nicholas Copernicus?
He is a Polish Scientist.
Where is Nicholas Copernicus from?
He is from Poland.
What was his important discovery?
Discovered the heliocentric theory (planets move around the sun)
When did Nicholas Copernicus discover this?
In the 1500’s
What is Sputnik?
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite into orbit.
Name two units used by astronomer and their use.
Astronomical units are used to measure the distance between planets and the sun.
Light years measure the distance between stars, a light year is the distance that light travels in one year
What are constellations?
Constellations are patterns made out of stars.
Who named most of the constellations?
What are two other names for the North Star?
Early Greeks named most of them.
Polaris or Pole Star.
What constellations can be seen in the northern hemisphere?
What is one constellation that is circumpolar?
Orion + Ursa Minor
Ursa Major
What is an asterism?
What does circumpolar mean?
An asterism is a part of a larger constellation.
Circumpolar is a constellation that can be seen year round
