Astrophysics Flashcards
(4 cards)
What are planets?
A celestial object orbiting a star with enough gravity to clear its own orbit (of other similar sized planets), and has enough gravity to pull itself into a spherical shape.
What is the difference between an asteroid and a meteroid?
An asteroid is significantly larger than a meteroid, meteroids are smaller, typically pebble-sized, and are often the result of asteroid collisions or comet debris.
How is the solar system formed?
The solar system formed from a vast, rotating cloud of gas and dust called the solar nebula, about 4.6 billion years ago. This nebula collapsed under its own gravity, causing the center to heat up and eventually ignite into the Sun. As the nebula flattened into a disk, gravity caused smaller clumps of matter to coalesce, forming planets and other celestial bodies.
How does earth’s tilt affect seasons?
As Earth orbits the Sun, different hemispheres tilt towards the Sun, leading to variations in sunlight intensity and duration, which directly impacts temperatures and creates distinct seasons. For example, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it’s summer. The longer days and more direct sunlight mean more heat is absorbed, resulting in warmer temperatures.
