VOCAB: Unit 2

Question 1

Geocentric Model*

Answer 1

Earth is at the centre of the Solar System

Question 2

Heliocentric Model*

Answer 2

Sun is at the centre of the Solar System

Question 3

Perihelion*

Answer 3

The point of nearest approach of a planet to the Sun

Question 4

Aphelion*

Answer 4

The point of greatest separation

Question 5

Photosphere

Answer 5

The visible outer layer of a star, represents the depth within that gas at which we can see no deeper toward the core

Question 6

Chromosphere

Answer 6

Surrounding the photosphere, an irregular layer of gasses that extend up and away from the photosphere, invisible to the eye

Question 7

Corona

Answer 7

The outermost region of the Sun’s atmosphere, extends for millions of km in the space above the photosphere

Question 8

Kelvin

Answer 8

A scale of temperature

Question 9

Astronomical Unit

Answer 9

1 AU is the mean avg distance between the Sun and Earth

Question 10

Spectroscopy

Answer 10

Measurement and analysis of energy spectra to determine the composition of matter

Question 11

Genesis Mission*

Answer 11

Set out to capture particles of the solar wind and return them to study on Earth

Question 12

Promineces

Answer 12

Arcs of gas that begin on the bright surface and soar to as much as 10000 km into the corona

Question 13

Flares

Answer 13

Short-lived gas eruptions that generally last no longer than 20 min

Question 14

Sunspots*

Answer 14

A region of the Sun’s photosphere marked by lower than average temperature, appearing black

Question 15

Solar Wind*

Answer 15

Made up of charged particles sent out from the Sun at all times in all directions

Question 16

Plasma

Answer 16

Ionized gas made up of a mixture of electrons and protons

Question 17

Magnetosphere*

Answer 17

Magnetic field volume around a body like earth, which generates a magnetic field

Question 18

Aurora*

Answer 18

Visual effects of collisions, which produces lots of light photons. Borealis in the North and Australis in the South

Question 19

Red Giant

Answer 19

Lost all Hydrogen fuels

Question 20

White Dwarf

Answer 20

As the core cools down

Question 21

Black Dwarf

Answer 21

When it stops glowing

Question 22

Refractors*

Answer 22

Collect light by means of a glass lens

Question 23

Reflectors*

Answer 23

Collect light with a curved mirror

Question 24

Aperture

Answer 24

Determined by the diameter of the glass lens or the mirror

Question 25

Orbital Velocity*

Answer 25

Enough velocity to a place the satellite in a position that exactly balances gravity’s pull on the satellite w/the inertia of the satellite’s motion

Question 26

Geostationary satellite*

Answer 26

Satellite stays right over the same spot all the time

Question 27

Terrestrial Planets*

Answer 27

4 planets closest to the Sun that are dense, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars

Question 28

Gas Giants*

Answer 28

Large, low density planets, Jupiter, Saturn Uranus and Neptune

Question 29

Asteroids and Asteroid Belt*

Answer 29

Between terrestrial and gas giants, these were small, rocky objects

Question 30

Ceres*

Answer 30

Largest object in the asteroid belt

Question 31

Pluto*

Answer 31

Past the gas giants, VERY small, declassified as a planet

Question 32

Kuiper Belt*

Answer 32

Area past Pluto, icy bodies of all shapes and sizes

Question 33

Eris and Sedna

Answer 33

Larger objects found in the Kuiper Belt

Question 34

Oort Cloud

Answer 34

A belt, we have never seen, but we keep finding evidence of it’s existence

Question 35

Plutoids

Answer 35

All dwarf planets located toward the outer regions of the Solar System: Pluto, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake

Question 36

‘Nice’ Model*

Answer 36

Idea that Uranus and Neptune were pushed out

Question 37

‘Grand Tack’ Model*

Answer 37

Explains the size and distribution of the terrestrial planets

Question 38

Canada-France-Hawaii-Telescope (CFHT)*

Answer 38

A number of joint-venture instruments

Question 39

Hubble Space Telescope (HST)*

Answer 39

Orbits 600km about Earth, purpose was to gather light from cosmic objects. All telescopes on Earth had to make some compensation for the atmosphere and the distortion it created so they launched HST

Question 40

Escape Velocity*

Answer 40

Initial velocity any object needs to escape gravity