Astronomy Vocab

Question 1

Equator

Answer 1

0 degrees latitude; an imaginary circle around the middle of the Earth, halfway between the north and south poles

Question 2

Prime Meridian

Answer 2

the reference point for longitude, 0 degrees

Question 3

Eliptic

Answer 3

plane that contains Earth’s orbit around the Sun

Question 4

Synchronous Rotation

Answer 4

describes the state at which the Moon’s orbital and rotational periods are equal

Question 5

Precession

Answer 5

wobble in Earth’s rotational axis

Question 6

Photosynthesis

Answer 6

plants that use the Sun’s energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugars

Question 7

Magnetic Field

Answer 7

the area of magnetic force around the Earth, protects us from solar radiation

Question 8

Nutation

Answer 8

wobbling around the precessional axis, but without any change in the tilt. This changes the stars near the poles

Question 9

Barycenter

Answer 9

the point between two objects where they balance each other

Question 10

Kepler’s First Law

Answer 10

planets travel in ellipses, not circles

Question 11

Kepler’s Second Law

Answer 11

an object speeds up the closer it gets to the object it’s orbiting

Question 12

Ellipse

Answer 12

an elongated circle or oval shape, the shape of the planets orbit

Question 13

Orbit

Answer 13

the path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another

Question 14

Rotation

Answer 14

circular movement around an axis

Question 15

Revolution

Answer 15

the movement of one object around another

Question 16

Seasons

Answer 16

caused by tilt of Earth on its axis as it revolves around the sun

Question 17

Circumference

Answer 17

the distance around a circle

Question 18

Axis

Answer 18

an imaginary line that passes through Earth’s center and the north and south poles, about which Earth rotates

Question 19

Tilt

Answer 19

23.5 degrees, causes seasons

Question 20

Vernal Equinox

Answer 20

March 21st, beginning of spring

Question 21

Autumnal Equinox

Answer 21

first day of fall; equal day and night hours, usually around September 22

Question 22

Solstice

Answer 22

either of the 2 times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator (winter and summer)

Question 23

Spring Tide

Answer 23

when the tidal range is greatest (full moon and new moon)

Question 24

Neap Tide

Answer 24

the tide with the least difference between consecutive low and high tides

Question 25

Tidal Range

Answer 25

the difference in levels of ocean water at high tide and low tide

Question 26

Satellite

Answer 26

a space station that orbits the Earth receiving and transmitting signals from Earth-based stations over a large area

Question 27

Lunar Eclipse

Answer 27

an eclipse where the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon when its at a full moon

Question 28

Solar Eclipse

Answer 28

the blocking of sunlight to Earth that occurs when the Moon is directly between the Sun and Earth