Chapter 26 - Studying Space

Question 1

Astronomy

Answer 1

The scientific study of the universe

Question 2

Galaxy

Answer 2

A collection of stars, gas, and dust bound together by gravity

Question 3

Astronomical Unit

Answer 3

The average distance between Earth and the Sun; approximately 150 million km

Question 4

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Answer 4

All of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation

Question 5

Telescope

Answer 5

An instrument that collects electromagnetic radiation from the sky and concentrates it for better observation

Question 6

Refracting Telescope

Answer 6

A telescope that uses a set of lenses to gather and focus light from distant objects

Question 7

Reflecting Telescope

Answer 7

A telescope that uses a curved mirror to gather and focus light from distant objects

Question 8

Rotation

Answer 8

The spin of a body on its axis

Question 9

Revolution

Answer 9

The motion of a body that travels around another body in space; one complete trip along an orbit

Question 10

Perihelion

Answer 10

In the orbit of a planet or other body in the solar system, the point that is closest to the Sun

Question 11

Aphelion

Answer 11

In the orbit of a planet or other body in the solar system, the point that is farthest away from the Sun

Question 12

Equinox

Answer 12

The moment when the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator

Question 13

Solstice

Answer 13

The point at which the Sun is as far North, or as far South as possible from the equator

Question 14

Cosmology

Answer 14

The study of the origin, processes, properties, and evolution of the universe

Question 15

Big Bang

Answer 15

The theory that all matter and energy in the universe was compressed into an extremely small volume that exploded and began expanding in all directions

Question 16

Milky Way Galaxy

Answer 16

The galaxy in which our solar system resides

Question 17

Light-Year

Answer 17

The distance which light can travel in one year

Question 18

Visible Spectrum

Answer 18

The part of the electromagnetic spectrum which the human eye can see

Question 19

Infrared

Answer 19

The part of the electromagnetic spectrum which has extremely long wavelengths unable to be seen by the human eye

Question 20

Ultraviolet

Answer 20

The part of the electromagnetic spectrum which has extremely short wavelengths unable to be seen by the human eye

Question 21

Optical Telescope

Answer 21

A telescope which collects visible light

Question 22

Refraction

Answer 22

The bending of light

Question 23

Radio Telescope

Answer 23

A telescope which collects radio waves

Question 24

Hubble Space Telescope

Answer 24

A telescope which orbits the Earth and collects electromagnetic radiation from space

Question 25

Challenger

Answer 25

The space shuttle which exploded killing all on board including one teacher

Question 26

Vernal Equinox

Answer 26

The day in the spring when there are equal amounts of day and night

Question 27

Autumnal Equinox

Answer 27

The day in the fall when there are equal amounts of day and night

Question 28

Summer Solstice

Answer 28

The longest day of the year

Question 29

Winter Solstice

Answer 29

The shortest day of the year

Question 30

Coriolis Effect

Answer 30

The apparent curved path of moving objects due to the rotation of the surface underneath the object

Question 31

Ellipse

Answer 31

A closed curve whose shore is determined by two points

Question 32

Orbit

Answer 32

One complete revolution around an object - or the path taken to complete that revolution.

Question 33

Constellation

Answer 33

A group of stars that are organized into a recognizable pattern

Question 34

Gregorian Calendar

Answer 34

The calendar developed by a former pope which we still use a version of today

Question 35

International Date Line

Answer 35

An imaginary line drawn through the Pacific Ocean which corresponds to the change from one day to another