Space Unit Flashcards
0
Q
What is a asterism?
A
A group of stars or a constellation
1
Q
What is a constellation?
A
A grouping of stars, as observed from earth
2
Q
What is ursa major??
A
The great bear, the most prominent northern constellation
3
Q
How many stars does ursa major have?
A
7 stars
4
Q
What’s Ursa Minor?
A
The little bear
5
Q
What known star does ursa minior have?
A
Polaris is at the end
6
Q
What is the Big Dipper?
A
The group of 7 brightest stars in Ursa Major
7
Q
What is Little Dipper?
A
The 7 brightest stars in ursa minior
8
Q
What is the constellation Orion
A
The hunter. A constellation laying between Canis major and Rigel
9
Q
Definition of a star:
A
A massive collection of gases, held together by its own gravity and emitting huge amounts of energy
10
Q
What colour do colder stars have?
A
Red glow
11
Q
What color does hotter stars have?
A
Bluer glow
12
Q
What is brightness measured in?
A
Luminosity, and it also depends on the distance of the observer.
13
Q
What is luminosity?
A
It is the measure of the total amount of energy Star produces per second
14
Q
What are the two types of magnitude?
A
Apparent magnitude, absolute magnitude
15
Q
What is the difference between apparent magnitude and absolute magnitude?
A
Apparent magnitude is the brightness of a star from how it looks on earth, or the distance of the observer.
Absolute magnitude is the accurate calculated distance and the actual brightness of the star.
16
Q
What are three examples of famous stars?
A
Betelgeuse (Orion) , Rigel (Orion) , and Sirius (Canis major)
17
Q
What is the Hertzsprung Russell diagram?
A
It is a graph that plots the characteristics of stars. Mainly the luminosity and temperature.
18
Q
What is the main sequence on the diagram?
A
The S shape in the middle is called the main sequence. The main sequence shows the stars in the prime of their lives.
19
Q
How are stars born?
A
Stars are born in a dark nebula (A nebula is a collection of gases and dust attracted by gravity).
The nebula grows and gravity attracts more and more gas gases and then the temperature warms. Boom a protostar is formed!
20
Q
What are small stars called?
A
Dwarfs
21
Q
What are medium sized stars called?
A
Intermediate mass/main sequence
22
Q
What are large stars called?
A
Giants or supergiants.
23
Q
What happens to a protostar once the temperature continues to warm up?
A
Once the temperature reads is 10,000°C nuclear fusion occurs (that’s when the star is born)
24
Which stars live the longest?
Small mass stars have a very large lifespan. Because it uses up fuel slowly and once it runs out it of gas becomes a intermediate star.
Then once it runs out of fuel again, it becomes a nebula, a dark nebula
25
Explain supergiants life span?
Supergiant on the other hand are not like small mass star's, they live fast and die young. When they die they produce massive, massive explosions.
26
What are supergiant's explosions called?
Supernovas
27
What happens to a supergiant after they explode?
Depending on the core of the star, I'll core that has a rating of 1.4-3 Solar masses, become neutron stars. A cord that has a solar mass rating of three and up becomes black holes.
28
What is a light year?
Distance light travels in a year
29
What does a. U. stand for?
Astronomical unit
30
Define Astronomical unit
The approximate distance between sun and Earth, 15,000,000 km. It is used to calculate distance is with in our solar system.
31
What is a parallax?
It is the change in position of an object you are from two different locations that are not in line with the object.
32
What are galaxies? Define
Collections of hundreds of billions of stars planets gas and dust attract one another.
33
What's are the four types of galaxies?
Spiral, irregular, elliptical, lenticular
34
Explain spiral galaxies?
It looks like a spiral pinwheel with arms extending out. The older stars are in the core, the brighter stars are in the arms.
It is a collection of gas and dust
35
Example of spiral galaxy
Our galaxy the Milky Way
36
Explain Irregular galaxies
Irregular galaxies have no definite shape. Are composed of lots of gas and dust. And all the stars are mixed in together including young and old stars.
37
Give an example of an Irregular galaxy
Object M 82
38
Explain elliptical galaxy and give an example.
The most common type of galaxy. The shape varies from a flattened oval to the spherical. They are composed of mainly old stars and not a lot of gas and dust.
An example would be object and M32.
39
Given example and explain lenticular galaxies.
They are spiral galaxies that have lost their gas and dust (spiral Galaxies except without the arms).
An example would be the cartwheel galaxy.
40
Define comet
A chunk of ice and Dust that travels and a very long orbit around the sun. They contain carbon, methane, and ammonia.t
41
What are the two types of comets?
Short period comets and long period Comets
42
What are short period comets?
They originate from beyond Neptunes orbit and travel around the sun within 200 years. An example would be Halleys comet
43
What is a long period comet?
They are much further away than Pluto and takes more than 200 years to orbit the sun. And example would be the Hale-Bopp comet
44
How do comets travel?
They travel and elliptical orbits. An elliptical orbit, is on a slight tilt than the normal horizontal orbit a planet would travel in.
45
What is the theory between comets and earth
Comets may have carried water to earth.
46
What's are gas tails and dust tails?
They are the two tales of a comet that point in the direction where they came from.
47
Explain the meteor shower
A meteor shower happens because they are particles left behind by a comet which enters our atmosphere.
48
Define meteor
An object at a smaller than an asteroid it is a shorting star
49
Defined meteoroid
It is a meteor that is still in outerspace
50
Define meteorite
It is a meter that has entered orders in Earth's atmosphere.
51
Define astroids
An irregularly shaped thing that are smaller than Dorf planets. Usually 800 m across. They orbit the earth.
52
Where are astroids located?
They are located in the astroid belt, and area from Mars to Jupiter. They are also found in the Kupiter belt and the Oort Cloud
53
List some examples of astroids
Ceres, Ida, and Eros
54
What is the geocentric model and who invented it?
It was invented in ancient Greece by an astronomer called Claudius Ptolemry, he believed everything revolves around the earth. Therefore the geocentric model is the same model we know of today except the earth is in the middle and the sun is where the earth is.
55
What is the Heliocentric model and who invented it?
It was invented by Galileo, he believed that the sun
| was the center not the earth
56
Explain the solar nebula theory
The solar nebula theory states, the solar system was formed 5 billion years ago. Shockwave from a nearby nebula Tritt triggered the collapse of the solar nebula. A protostar was created and its temperature begin to increase, attracting gases and dust particles. Over time, the cloud collapse and the temperature was high enough for nuclear fusion to begin.
The sun was formed in the center, swirling's mass of energy. While it was forming lighter gases were pushed away, forming our gas planets. The denser chunks of solar matter remains closer to the sun, therefore forming the inner planets: Mars, Venus, Earth, Mars.
57
Explain the evidence of the solar nebula theory
This theory explains why, the planets all orbit the sun. Why the sun is in the middle. Why terrestrial planets are closer and gas giants are further away.
Also other planetary systems have been in various stages of this formation process.
Finally most planets rotate in the same plane/same axis.
58
What are the five parts of the sun?
The core, radiative zone, convective zone, photosphere, atmosphere.
59
Explain the core
The cooler is the middle/center of the sun, that gives off the most energy. Nuclear fusion takes place here and it is 15,000,000°C
60
Explain the radiative zone
It is created by the energy really released by nuclear fusion from the core It surrounds the core.
61
Explain convective zone
The hotter substances rise up and the cooler substances falls down. It's surrounds the radiative zone.
62
Explain photosphere
This is where lights and other radiation escape. It is 5500°C and it is above the convection zone.
63
Explain atmosphere
It is composed of two layers.
1) The chromosphere. It is 65,500°C and it is the inner layer.
2) The corona. It is the thinner outer layer, that looks like a gleaming white halo, and extends millions and millions of kilometers out into space. It also looks Halo like.
64
Define sunspots
Dark spots appearing on the sun surface. The surface around them are warmer.
65
Define solar flare
Gases and charged particles expelled
| above a sunspot
66
Define solar prominence.
Low energy gas eruptions from the sun's surface that extends thousands of kilometers into space.
67
What are the 3 things affected by solar storms
One, Aurora Borealis
Two, communication disruptions
Three, radiation hazards
68
Explain Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis
A display of shifting colors in the northern or southern sky caused by solar particles colliding with the matter and upper atmosphere.
69
Explain communication disruptions
Solar storms,affects human made satellites. It can damage information stored in there. Which will damage computer information, cellphone , TV signals
70
Explain radiation hazards
Solar storms have charged solar particles which will enter the Earth's atmosphere people will receive a higher dosage of radiation, which can be very dangerous.
71
How long ago did the Big Bang theory occur?
Around 13 .7 billion years ago
72
What are the four stages and explain them
Stage one time zero. There was nothing. Then a tiny speck of light appears, all matter and energy concentrated into a tiny region called singularity.
Stage two inflation. Inflation begins.
Stage III formation of subatomic particles. Protons, electrons, and neutrons form
Stage for formation of Atoms. Nuclei form and they capture electrons to make first Adams which are: hydrogen, helium, and lithium.
It stays very foggy for hundreds of thousands of years. After the fog clears up, light travels through the universe. After hundreds of millions of years matter clumps together. Making the first stars and galaxies ever.
73
Explain the evidence for the Big Bang theory
Background radiation: radiation woods detectable from all over the universe and radiation interfered with our antennas. Radiation was the re-maintenant energy from the explosion of the big bang. Confirmed by several satellites.
Light elements: first Atoms, 75% hydrogen, 25% helium, and some other heavier elements. That, matches today's proportions
Evolution of galaxies: the furthest away there are hot young stars. This proves The universe is steadily changing over time.
Olber's paradox: if universe's stars are still forming, and the space between them are still dark. Then the universe have to have a beginning.
Expanding universe: the universe is still expanding = gives a strong evidence that there was a beginning! The redshift provides the proof: the universe is still expanding.
74
What is the Big Bang theory
The universe began as an incredibly hot, dense expansion 13 .7 billion years ago.
75
Definition of a planet
1) has to orbit around a star
2) have enough mass to be pulled into a stable sphere shaped by gravity
3) has to dominate it's own orbit
76
What are the features of mercury?
It has no moons, atmosphere, and is covered in creators. It has the most extreme temperature swings: it freezes at night, -173°C. And burns in the day 427°C.
It is 57,000,910 km away/0.3878AU. from the sun
77
What are the features of Venus?
Venus is the earth's twin. It has no moons. Same: size, mass, density, gravity, as earth. It is the hottest planet because 96% of it is CO2 atmosphere (greenhouse gas), Sulfuric acid clouds, and volcanoes.
It is the only planet to have its day longer then it's year. It is also the only planet to rotates east to west, retrograde rotation.
108,200,000 km or 0.723 AU away from the sun
78
What are the features of Earth
Earth is the life and water planet.
149,600,000 km or one astronomical unit away from the sun.
The only planet to have water found in three forms. Rotates on an axis of 23 hours and 56 minutes.
79
What are the features of Mars?
Mars is the red planet. It has seasons, two moons, mountains and canyons. It is red because of Iron oxide sulphate (rust).
. Rotation is 24.6 days and revolution is 1.88 years.
227,940,000 km or 1.5 to 4 astronomical unit away from the sun.
80
What are the features of Jupiter?
It is the Giants. The largest planet with the shortest day, 10 hours. It has 60 and plus moons. It has one unique red spot, the hurricane that existed for hundreds of years.
Period Rotation is 10h, revolution is 12 years
778,330,000 km, 5.203 astronomical units away from the sun.
81
What are the features of Saturn?
It is called beautiful rings.
It is the only planet that can float on water. Rock and ice make up the rings. The rings are 45 m sick, edge to edge would fill the space between Earth to Mars. Saturn has 60 moons.
period rotation: 11h revolution: 29 years
1,424,600,000 km, 9.523 astronomical units away from the sun
82
What are the features of Uranus?
It is called the tilted planet. Tilted due to a collision millions of years ago. It has a methane atmosphere, a horizontal atmosphere, and 27 moons.
period rotation: 17 hours, revolution: 84 years
2,873,550,000 km, 19.208 astronomical units away from the sun.
83
Are the features of Neptune?
It is called the sea. The furthest planet from the sun and the fastest wins in the source system , it also has a methane atmosphere, and 13 moons.
Period rotation: 16 hours revolution 165 years.
4,501,000,000 km, 30.087 astronomical units away from the sun.
84
Features of inner planets
They have a smaller size. If you are or zero moons. A rocky surface. Longer rotation period. And a higher density.
85
Features of outer planets.
They have a larger size. More moons. Gaseous surface. Shorter rotation period. And a lower density
86
Define dwarf planets
They have the same features as plants except you're not dominate their orbit. Some examples are: Pluto, eris , Ceres
Most live beyond Neptune.
87
Why is Pluto considered a dwarf planet now?
Because Pluto did not dominate its orbit, therefore making it a dwarf planet.
88
Define retrograde motion
Apparent motion of planets to move in a direction opposite to that of other planets in the solar system, Mars
89
Define retrograde rotation
Basically the same as retrograde motion. The planet rotates east to west rather than west to east. Examples, Venus and Uranus.
90
How long does it take the earth to get through one rotation and how long does it take the earth to get through one revolution?
Rotation: day plus night what, 23 hours 56 minutes
Revolution, 365.25 days, also called orbital period.
The earth rotates in an elliptical orbit.
91
What is the degrees of Earth's tilt
23.5° from vertical
92
What is Earth's orbit all radius and what does one year equal to?
The Earth's has a orbit radius of one astronomical unit. One year equals to, one revolution/orbital period.
93
Why do we have seasons?
When the earth is the furthest to the sun, the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun. Therefore summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere. Since the northern hemisphere is closer to the sun.
When the earth is the closest to the sun, the southern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun. Therefore winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.
94
Why do you only see half a moon?
Because the moon and earth have synchronous rotations
95
What are the eight phases of the moon?
One,New Moon. 2, waxing crescent. Three, first quarter. Four, waxing gibbous. Five, full moon. Six, waning gibbous. Seventh, third quarter. Eight, waning crescent. And then nine, Newmoon- it begins all over again
96
What is the origin of the moon?
The moon was formed as a result of hitting into the earth, heating it and flinging the raw ingredients for The moon to orbit around the earth.
97
What are lunar and solar eclipses?
Any clips is a darkening of the celestial object due to the position of another celestial object.
Solar eclipse, is the moon over the sun. Lunar eclipse is the Sun over the moon. In this case the moon and the sun both look the same size.
Solar- sun-moon-eArth
Lunar-sun-earth-moon
