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Astronomy, Part 1
For Mrs. Tejnecky.
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Astronomy | The branch of science that deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole. |
Geocentric | Measured from or considered in relation to the center of the earth. |
Phases of the moon | Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, Waning Crescent, New Moon |
Heliocentric | Measured from or considered in relation to the center of the sun. |
Rotation | The action of rotating around an axis or center. |
Revolution | A single orbit of one object around another or about an axis or center |
Perihelion | The point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is closest to the sun. |
Aphelion | The point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is furthest from the sun. |
Solar Eclipse | An eclipse in which the sun is obscured by the moon. |
Lunar Eclipse | An eclipse in which the moon appears darkened as it passes into the earth's shadow. |
Terrestrial Planet | A planet that is composed primarily of silicate rocks or metals. |
Jovian Planet | Any of the four large outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. |
Asteroid | A small rocky body orbiting the sun. |
Comet | A “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun. |
Meteriod | A small body moving in the solar system that would become a meteor if it entered the earth's atmosphere. |
Meteor | A small body of matter from outer space that enters the earth's atmosphere, becoming incandescent as a result of friction and appearing as a streak of light. |
Meteorite | A meteor that survives its passage through the earth's atmosphere such that part of it strikes the ground. |
Photon | A particle representing a quantum of light or other electromagnetic radiation |
Electromagnetic Spectrum | The range of wavelengths or frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends. |
Doppler Effect | An increase (or decrease) in the frequency of sound, light, or other waves as the source and observer move toward (or away from) each other. |
Refracting Telescope | A telescope that uses a converging lens to collect light. |
Reflecting Telescope | A telescope in which a mirror is used to collect and focus light. |
Radio Telescope | An instrument used to detect radio emissions from the sky, whether from natural celestial objects or from artificial satellites. |
Hubble Telescope | The Hubble Space Telescope helps scientists understand the universe and how planets, stars and galaxies form. |
Space Shuttle | A rocket-launched spacecraft, able to land like an unpowered aircraft, used to make repeated journeys between the earth and earth orbit. |