Exam One Flashcards
Key points from Lecture (25 cards)
What is Astronomy?
Finding patterns among stars, our place in the universe, connection to the universe, and the origin of the universe.
What is a Solar System?
A star and its surrounding
planets, comets, asteroids, etc… that
exists inside a galaxy.
What is a Star?
A large, glowing ball of gas that generates
heat and light through nuclear fusion.
What is a Planet?
A moderately large object that orbits a star;
it shines by reflected light. Planets may be
rocky, icy, or gaseous in composition.
What is a Moon or Satellite?
An object that orbits
a planet.
What is an Asteroid?
A relatively small and rocky object that
orbits a star
What is a Comet?
A relatively small and icy object that orbits
a star.
What is a Galaxy?
A massive system of stars (and
other stuff) that exists inside the
universe.
Describe the Milky Way
The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy that contains 100 billion stars, that is just one of billions of galaxies, and is in a universe that is 13.8 billion years old.
What is the Universe?
Everything; the entirety of
space and time.
Describe the Speed of Light
Light travels at a finite speed (300,000 km/s)
We use this travel time of light to
measure the vast distances of the
universe.
The farther away we look in distance,
the further back we…….
The farther away we look in distance,
the further back we look in time.
What is a Light-Year?
The distance light can travel in one year.
9.5 trillion kilometers (6 trillion miles)
What is a Hypothesis?
An idea that can explain a
phenomenon.
What is a Theory?
A hypothesis which tests have failed
to disprove.
What is a Physical Law?
Theories that have become very
well tested and are of fundamental
importance.
Which of the following represents a scientific way
of looking at nature?
A. All ideas are equally valuable and should be
equally respected.
B. Well-established ideas should never be checked
or tested.
C. Nature informs us about the usefulness of our
ideas.
Which of the following represents a scientific way
of looking at nature?
A. All ideas are equally valuable and should be
equally respected.
B. Well-established ideas should never be checked
or tested.
C. Nature informs us about the usefulness of our
ideas.
What is the Celestial Sphere?
The celestial sphere is a projection of Earth’s axes and equator into space.
The celestial sphere rotates around the north and south celestial poles each day.
Why do the constellations we see depend on
latitude and time of year?
They depend on latitude because your position on Earth determines which constellations remain below the horizon.
Why do the constellations we see depend on
latitude and time of year?
They depend on time of year because Earth’s orbit changes the apparent location of the Sun among the stars.
Why do stars rise and set?
Earth rotates from west to east, so stars appear to circle from east to west.
What does Circumpolar mean?
When a star doesn’t rises or set.
*The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Which way is Earth rotating?* A. Toward the west B. Toward the north C. Toward the east D. Toward the south
*The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Which way is Earth rotating?* A. Toward the west B. Toward the north *C. Toward the east* D. Toward the south
*From what location on Earth would all of the stars on the celestial sphere be visible?* A. Equator B. North Pole C. Prime Meridian D. South Pole
*From what location on Earth would all of the stars on the celestial sphere be visible? A. Equator* B. North Pole C. Prime Meridian D. South Pole
