Unit E | Topic 1.1-1.5 | Basics of space

Question 1

Definition of:
Solstice

Answer 1

Represents the shortest and longest periods of daylight

Question 2

What and when is the summer solstice?

Answer 2

The summer solstice occurs on June 20th and represents the longest amount of daylight

Question 3

What and when is the winter solstice

Answer 3

The winter solstice occurs on December 21st and represents the shortest amount of daylight

Question 4

Definition of:
Equinox

Answer 4

days with equal periods of day and night

Question 5

What is the geocentric model of the universe?

Answer 5

A model of the universe where:
- Planets revolved around the earth
- The earth was stationary

Question 6

What was the issue with the geocentric model of the universe?

Answer 6

It couldn’t explain why some planets would seem to reverse direction

Question 7

Who made the geocentric model of the universe?

Answer 7

Aristotle (Greek philosopher)

Question 8

What is the heliocentric model of the universe?

Answer 8

A model of the universe where:
- Planets revolved around the sun
- Earth was not stationary
- Planets rotated

Question 9

True or false:
Planets revolve in a circle around the sun

Answer 9

False:
Planets revolve around the sun in an elliptical pattern, not a circular one

Question 10

What does a full rotation of the earth represent?

Answer 10

One rotation = one day

Question 11

What does a full revolution of the earth around the sun represent?

Answer 11

One revolution = one year

Question 12

Definition of:
Quadrant

Answer 12

A device that measures a star’s height above the horizon

Question 13

Definition of:
Astrolabe

Answer 13

A device that measures a star’s angle above the horizon and could predict future star positions

Question 14

Definition of:
Cross staff

Answer 14

A device that measures a stars angle between the moon and any given star

Question 15

Definition of:
Telescope

Answer 15

A device that allowed scientists to “get even closer” to the night sky

Question 16

What does “AU” stand for?

Answer 16

Astronomical Unit

Question 17

What is the distance of one AU?

Answer 17

149 599 000km
(aka distance from the center of the sun to the center of the earth)

Question 18

Definition of:
Light year

Answer 18

The distance it takes for light to travel in one year

Question 19

What is the sun mostly made of?

Answer 19

Hydrogen and Helium

Question 20

Definition of:
A star

Answer 20

A large celestial body of gas that gives off light and thermal energy

Question 21

What kind of stars are the hottest?

Answer 21

Blue giants and white dwarfs

Question 22

What kind of stars are the coolest?

Answer 22

Red giants and red supergiants

Question 23

What are the two forms of stars (by mass)

Answer 23

high mass and low mass stars

Question 24

What is the life of a low mass star?

Answer 24

1. Clouds of dust and gas (a nebula) gather due to gravity
2. A low mass star is created
3. The star fuses hydrogen atoms into helium atoms using nuclear fusion
4. after a few billion years, there are no more light elements to use and it collapses into a white dwarf
5. the star “burns out” and turns into a black dwarf

Question 25

What is the life of a high mass star?

Answer 25

1. Clouds of dust and gas (a nebula) gather due to gravity
2. A high mass star is created
3. The star eventually forms into a red super giant, and the star runs out of hydrogen to fuel it so it cools down and expands
4. Elements from helium to iron are formed
5. Eventually, the core can’t support the mass of the star and collapses in the form of a supernova

Question 26

Definition of:
Supernova

Answer 26

A huge explosion caused by a collapsing star where all elements heavier than iron are formed

Question 27

What are the three possible results of a supernova?

Answer 27

1. Gas and dust are flung into space
2. A neutron star is formed
3. A black hole is formed

Question 28

What is the order of the planets?

Answer 28

Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune

Question 29

Characteristics of Terrestrial planets

Answer 29

• Rocky
• Solid surfaces
• Don’t have rings
• Few moons
• Usually small

Question 30

Characteristics of Jovian planets

Answer 30

• Many moons
• No solid surface
• Ring systems
• Usually large

Question 31

Definition of:
Galaxy

Answer 31

Groupings of millions or billions of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity

Question 32

Definition of:
Comets

Answer 32

Objects in space made up of ice and dust that leave a trail of gas after being heated up by the sun

Question 33

Definition of:
Asteroids

Answer 33

Large rocky objects that revolve around the sun

Question 34

Definition of:
Meteoroid

Answer 34

small rocky or metallic objects that travel in space

Question 35

Definition of:
Meteor

Answer 35

The trail of light emitted by a meteoroid as it enters earths atmosphere

Question 36

Definition of:
Meteorite

Answer 36

Meteors that successfully pass through the atmosphere

Question 37

Definition of:
Altitude (in astronomy)

Answer 37

How far a star is above the horizon

Question 38

What does “Zenith” refer to in astronomy

Answer 38

The location in the sky directly above an object

Question 39

Definition of:
Azimuth (in astronomy)

Answer 39

A measure of which compass direction a star can be found in the sky

Question 40

Definition of:
Solar eclipse

Answer 40

A point in time where the moon is between the earth and the sun, casting a shadow on the earth

Question 41

Definition of:
Lunar eclipse

Answer 41

A point in time where the earth is between the moon and the sun, casting a shadow on the moon