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Astronomy > Topic 5 - Solar System Observations > Flashcards

Topic 5 - Solar System Observations Flashcards

1
Q

How does pinhole camera work

A

By putting a small hole in a piece of paper and projecting it onto another piece of paper is a safe way to observe the sun

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2
Q

What can you not use to observe sun

A
  • binoculars
    -reading glasses
    -telescopes
    -sun glasses
    -camera film
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3
Q

What is the ecliptic

A

The path planets follow

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4
Q

The sun appears to follow this line and it crosses how many constellation

A

13 ( the zodiacs)

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5
Q

Not all planets follow the ecliptic exactly they usually move how many degrees either way

A

1 or 2 degrees

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6
Q

What is the term used to show how far away a planet is from the ecliptic

A

Inclination

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7
Q

What is a planetary track

A

The path a planet makes on a star map

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8
Q

When a superior planet moves in the sky it normally moves how and what is it called

A

From right to left and we call it direct motion or prograde

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9
Q

What is a stationary point

A

There will be times when a planet does not appear to move at all

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10
Q

What is retrograde motion

A

When a planet appears to move backwards

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11
Q

Why does retrograde motion happen

A

As some planets have longer orbital periods the earth catches up with the planet
The planet appears to move backward as earth moves in front
Eventually planets realign and the planet moves directly

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12
Q

Why is Earths axis not in line with the ecliptic

A

Because earth is tilted

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13
Q

What is a meteoroid

A

An object in space, possibly similar to an asteroid that will eventually become a meteor

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14
Q

What are cometary meteoroids

A

Small particles shed by comets

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15
Q

What are asteroidal meteoroids

A

Particles that have fallen or chipped off meteoroids

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16
Q

What is a meteor

A

A meteoroid that has entered earth atmosphere

17
Q

What are meteors know as

A

Shooting stars

18
Q

Why does atmosphere burn up meteors and what happens to them

A

Because the high speed causes immense friction and it is typically vaporised

19
Q

What is a meteorite

A

A meteor that survives atmosphere and it will hit earth

20
Q

What is the percentage of Meteors that hit the earths surface

A

10 %

21
Q

What are meteorites made of

A

Iron

22
Q

In meteor showers they appear to come from one point what is this point called

A

The radiant

23
Q

How do We know where he radiant is

A

By tracking where meteors originate

24
Q

What is the celestial sphere

A

An imaginary sphere around earth

25
Q

What is the celestial sphere used for

A

To measure and understand their apparent positions

26
Q

Our poles are projected outwards to the sky that are these know as

A

Celestial poles

27
Q

The point at which the sun on the ecliptic crosses the celestial equator at the vernal equinox is known as what

A

The first point of aries

28
Q

What is an inferior planet

A

One that is nearer to the sun than earth

29
Q

What is a superior planet

A

One that is further away from sun that earth

30
Q

What is conjunction

A

Refers to when a planet is in front or behind the sun as viewed from earth

31
Q

What is opposition

A

Is when a planet is opposite the earth from the sun

32
Q

What is a transit

A

The passing of one body in front of another body or celestial line

33
Q

What is occultation

A

More of a dramatic transit where one celestial body obscures and cover another, blocking its light

34
Q

What is elongation

A

As inferior planets cannot be seen at opposition so the best position to view it is when it forms a 90 degrees between the sun and earth

35
Q

What is the max angle of elongation called

A

Great eastern elongation
Greatest western elongation

Astronomy (16 decks)

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