Class 1 Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is the scientific method?
Observe, create a model, analyze model predictions, repeat.
What is declination?
Degrees north or south of the celestial equator
What is right ascension?
East from the position of the sun at vernal equinox
What is a solar day?
The 24 hour period from noon to noon
How long is a sidereal day?
23 hours and 56 minutes
How many constellations does the Sun move through during the year?
13
What is ecliptic?
The apparent path of the Sun moving around Earth
Name all 4 Solstice and Equinoxes.
Summer and Winter Solstice, Autumnal and Vernal Equinox
How long does it take the Earth to orbit the sun?
365.24 days
What is precession?
The rotation of Earth’s axis which takes about 26,000 years
How long is a sidereal year?
365.256 days
how long is a tropical year?
365.242 days
How long does the Moon take to cycle through its whole phases?
29.5 days
Why do phases occur?
They occur due to differing amounts on the sunlit portion of the Moon being visible from Earth
What is a lunar eclipse?
When the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun
What is a solar eclipse?
When the Moon is between Earth and the Sun
What is triangulation?
The measurement of baseline and angles. Can calculate distance. tan = Distance/Baseline.
What is Parallax?
Comparing an object from two different points against a distant background
How much later does the moon rise each day?
50 minutes
Is Polaris (the north star) the brightest?
No
Which star is the brightest?
Sirius A
What will be the new polestar in 12-14,000 years?
Vega
In arc minutes, how large is the sun and moon?
30 arc minutes
