Space Science Vocab

Question 1

Photosphere

Answer 1

The visible surface of the Sun, lying just above the uppermost layer of the Sun’s interior, and just below the chromosphere.

Question 2

Radiative Zone

Answer 2

Carries energy from the core outward by using protons.

Question 3

Electromagnetic Radiation

Answer 3

the energy transmitted through space by electric and magnetic fields that are regularly moving back and forth. It travels at 3 × 108 m/s in a vacuum and includes (in order of increasing energy) radio, infrared, visible light (optical), ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Question 4

Radiation

Answer 4

Emission of energy in the form of rays or waves.

Question 5

Spectrum

Answer 5

A chart of the entire range of wavelengths of light from an object.

Question 6

Absolute Magnitude

Answer 6

The magnitude the star would have if it was placed at a distance of 10 parsecs from earth.

Question 7

Apparent Magnitude

Answer 7

How bright the star appears to us from our point of view.

Question 8

Black Hole

Answer 8

Supernova remnants from a star 3x more massive than our sun.

Question 9

Luminosity

Answer 9

The total amount of energy radiated by an object every second.

Question 10

Main Sequence Stars

Answer 10

Star formed when the temperature in the center of a cloud reaches 15 million k.

Question 11

Supernova

Answer 11

The death explosion of a massive star whose core has completely burned out.

Question 12

Albedo

Answer 12

The reflective property of a non-luminous object.

Question 13

Chromosphere

Answer 13

A layer in the sun’s atmosphere. between the photosphere and coronas.

Question 14

Convective Zone

Answer 14

Convective currents carry the energy outward to the surface. hot materials rise and cool materials fall.

Question 15

Core

Answer 15

The core creates nuclear fusion reactions fusing hydrogen atoms to create helium.

Question 16

Corona

Answer 16

The outermost atmosphere of a star.

Question 17

Wavelength

Answer 17

The horizontal distance between two successive crests of a wave.

Question 18

Matter

Answer 18

A solid, liquid, or gas that possesses inertia and is capable of occupying space

Question 19

Doppler effect

Answer 19

The apparent change of wavelength occurring when an object is moving towards or away from an observer

Question 20

Proton

Answer 20

A subatomic particle with a positive charge which is found in the nucleus of an atom

Question 21

Electron

Answer 21

A subatomic particle with a negative charge which orbits around the nucleus of an atom

Question 22

Blackbody

Answer 22

A theoretical object which is both a perfect absorber and emitter of radiation

Question 23

Big Bang Theory

Answer 23

A theory to try to explain the origin of the universe

Question 24

Neutron

Answer 24

A subatomic particle having zero charge found in the nucleus of an atom.

Question 25

Sunspot

Answer 25

Dark, cool areas which appear on the photosphere

Question 26

Solar Flare

Answer 26

Occurs when the magnetic energy that has built up in the solar atmosphere is suddenly released

Question 27

Prominence

Answer 27

A large, bright, gaseous feature extending outward from the sun’s surface, often in a loop shape

Question 28

Nuclear Fushion

Answer 28

A nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei collide at a very high speed and join to form a new type of atomic nucleus

Question 29

Blue Shift

Answer 29

Any decreasing wavelength, with the corresponding increase in frequency, of electromagnetic waves

Question 30

Frequency

Answer 30

The number of cycles or waves per unit time

Question 31

Gravitational Force

Answer 31

An interaction between particles or bodies resulting from their masses.

Question 32

Red Shift

Answer 32

The displacement of spectral lines toward longer wave lengths in radiation from distant galaxies and celestial items.

Question 33

Crest

Answer 33

A point on the wave where the displacement of the medium is at a maximum.

Question 34

Diffraction

Answer 34

The process by which a beam of light or other system of waves is spread out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or across an edge, typically accompanied by interference between the wave forms produced.

Question 35

Energy

Answer 35

The capacity to do work.

Question 36

Trough

Answer 36

A hollow between two wave crests.

Question 37

Weak force

Answer 37

One of the four fundamental forces that govern all matter in the universe, plays a greater role in things falling apart.

Question 38

Absorbers

Answer 38

A material in a nuclear reactor that absorbed neutrons without reproducing them.

Question 39

Emitter

Answer 39

An electrode on a transistor from which a flow of electrons or holes enter the region between the electrodes.

Question 40

Neutron Star

Answer 40

A stellar remnant that can result from the gravitational collapse of a massive star after a supernova.

Question 41

Red Giant

Answer 41

A very large star of high luminosity and low surface temperature.

Question 42

Atom

Answer 42

The smallest unit of a chemical element that can still retain properties of that element.

Question 43

Conduction

Answer 43

The transmission of heat through a medium and without the motion of the medium.