Space Flashcards
What is a lunar eclipse?
An event where the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to cover the Moon.
A lunar eclipse can be total, partial, or penumbral.
What is a solar eclipse?
An event where the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, blocking the Sun’s light either partially or totally.
Solar eclipses can be total, partial, or annular.
Define geosynchronous.
A satellite orbiting the Earth at the same rotational speed as the Earth.
This allows the satellite to remain in a fixed position relative to the Earth’s surface.
What is a low orbit satellite?
A satellite that orbits the Earth at a relatively low altitude, typically between 160 to 2,000 kilometers.
These satellites are often used for Earth observation and communications.
What causes atmosphere distortion of telescopes?
Variations in the Earth’s atmosphere that affect the clarity and quality of astronomical images.
This distortion can lead to effects such as twinkling stars.
What is interferometry?
A technique that combines signals from multiple telescopes to improve resolution and detect faint astronomical objects.
This method is used in radio and optical astronomy.
List the planets of the solar system in the correct order.
- Mercury
- Venus
- Earth
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Saturn
- Uranus
- Neptune
This order is based on their distance from the Sun.
What is space junk?
Debris from defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and other fragments orbiting the Earth.
Space junk poses risks to operational spacecraft and satellites.
What are the properties and functions of outer planets?
- Gas giants
- Thick atmospheres
- Many moons
- Rings
The outer planets include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
What are the properties and functions of inner planets?
- Rocky surfaces
- Smaller size
- Fewer moons
- Closer to the Sun
The inner planets include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
Define geocentric.
A model of the universe where the Earth is at the center and all celestial bodies revolve around it.
This model was historically accepted before the heliocentric model.
Define heliocentric.
A model of the universe where the Sun is at the center and the planets, including Earth, revolve around it.
This model was proposed by Copernicus.
What are the types of telescopes?
- Refracting telescopes
- Reflecting telescopes
- Catadioptric telescopes
Each type uses different optical systems to gather and focus light.
What is azimuth?
The angle of an object in the horizontal plane, measured clockwise from the North.
It is used in navigation and astronomy to specify the direction of celestial objects.
What is altitude in astronomy?
The angle of an object above the observer’s horizon.
It is usually measured in degrees.
Who made telescopes?
Hans Lippershey, Galileo Galilei, and Isaac Newton are notable figures in the development of telescopes.
Each contributed to the advancement of telescope technology.
Describe the relationship between the universe, galaxy, solar system, and planet.
- Universe: All of space and its contents
- Galaxy: A large system of stars and matter
- Solar System: A star and its orbiting planets
- Planet: A celestial body orbiting a star
These terms describe different scales of cosmic structure.
What is the difference between reflecting and refracting telescopes?
- Reflecting telescopes use mirrors
- Refracting telescopes use lenses
Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of image quality and design.
What is red shift?
A phenomenon where light from an object moving away from an observer shifts to longer wavelengths.
It is used to determine the speed and distance of galaxies.
What is blue shift?
A phenomenon where light from an object moving towards an observer shifts to shorter wavelengths.
It indicates that the object is approaching the observer.
What is triangulation?
A method used to determine the location of an object by measuring angles from two known points.
This technique is commonly used in surveying and astronomy.
What is parallax?
The apparent shift in position of an object when viewed from different angles.
It is used to measure distances to nearby stars.
What is a light year?
The distance that light travels in one year, approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers.
It is a unit of measurement for astronomical distances.
What does GPS stand for?
Global Positioning System.
It is a satellite-based navigation system.
