Topic 5 - Solar System Observations Flashcards
How does pinhole camera work
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
What can you not use to observe sun
- binoculars
-reading glasses
-telescopes
-sun glasses
-camera film
What is the ecliptic
The path planets follow
The sun appears to follow this line and it crosses how many constellation
13 ( the zodiacs)
Not all planets follow the ecliptic exactly they usually move how many degrees either way
1 or 2 degrees
What is the term used to show how far away a planet is from the ecliptic
Inclination
What is a planetary track
The path a planet makes on a star map
When a superior planet moves in the sky it normally moves how and what is it called
From right to left and we call it direct motion or prograde
What is a stationary point
There will be times when a planet does not appear to move at all
What is retrograde motion
When a planet appears to move backwards
Why does retrograde motion happen
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
Why is Earths axis not in line with the ecliptic
Because earth is tilted
What is a meteoroid
An object in space, possibly similar to an asteroid that will eventually become a meteor
What are cometary meteoroids
Small particles shed by comets
What are asteroidal meteoroids
Particles that have fallen or chipped off meteoroids
What is a meteor
A meteoroid that has entered earth atmosphere
What are meteors know as
Shooting stars
Why does atmosphere burn up meteors and what happens to them
Because the high speed causes immense friction and it is typically vaporised
What is a meteorite
A meteor that survives atmosphere and it will hit earth
What is the percentage of Meteors that hit the earths surface
10 %
What are meteorites made of
Iron
In meteor showers they appear to come from one point what is this point called
The radiant
How do We know where he radiant is
By tracking where meteors originate
What is the celestial sphere
An imaginary sphere around earth
What is the celestial sphere used for
To measure and understand their apparent positions
Our poles are projected outwards to the sky that are these know as
Celestial poles
The point at which the sun on the ecliptic crosses the celestial equator at the vernal equinox is known as what
The first point of aries
What is an inferior planet
One that is nearer to the sun than earth
What is a superior planet
One that is further away from sun that earth
What is conjunction
Refers to when a planet is in front or behind the sun as viewed from earth
What is opposition
Is when a planet is opposite the earth from the sun
What is a transit
The passing of one body in front of another body or celestial line
What is occultation
More of a dramatic transit where one celestial body obscures and cover another, blocking its light
What is elongation
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
What is the max angle of elongation called
Great eastern elongation
Greatest western elongation
