5 - solar system exploration Flashcards
what is the easiest way to observe the sun
use a pinhole projector
why cant you look at the sun
sun is bright → vieweing it with the naked eye will cause permenant damage
why is it not recommended to take a photo of the sun
photographing the sun with a camera can damage the camera of overexpose the film, ruining all of the photographs
define AU
AU = astronomical unit: distanve between sun and earth
describe the anomaly to the orbital inclination of the solar system
most are really similar, except pluto → off the ecliptic plane
describe the anomaly to the axial tilt of the solar system
- unique ones are uranus (on its side)
- and venus (opposite direction for orbit and rotation)
define ecliptic
the ecliptical plane is the flat plane that contains the orbit of the eartj and has the sun at its centre
define perihelion
the point in an elliptical orbit around the sun that is nearest the suns centre
define aphelion
the point in an elliptical orbit around the sun that is the furthest from the suns centre
define elongation
the occasion when either mercury/venus (inferior planet) reaches its greast angular seperation from the sun - best time to observe them
define conjunction
an occasion when two solar system bodies have the same celestial longitude as seen from earth
define transit
the passage of one large astronomical object/body in front of a smaller one
define occultation
the passage of one astronomical body in front of a larger one
define retrograde motion
the movement of a planet or body in an opposite direction to other objects
define zodiacal band
~8 degrees either side of the ecliptic where the planets are
