formation of the universe Flashcards
(21 cards)
states that the universe began with a tremendous explosion
big bang theory
The spinning of a body on its axis
rotation
what phenomenon does rotation cause?
the alteration of day and night
combined gravitational pull of the moon and the sun which causes the rise and fall of large bodies of water.
Water doesn’t really rise and fall, earth spins below the bulge
ocean tides
The motion of a smaller body around a larger body in space
revolution
The path a celestial body travels around the sun is called its
orbit
when earth sees an increasing amount of the lighted side
(getting bigger)
waxing moon
when the lighted side is turning away from earth (getting smaller)
waning moon
Why do we see the different phases of the moon?
as the Moon orbits the Earth, the Sun lights up different parts of it, making it seem as if the Moon is changing shape.
occurs when the moon comes between the earth and the sun
the shadow of the moon falls on part of the earth, the corona of the sun becomes visible
solar eclipse
occurs when the earth comes between the sun and the moon.
the shadow of the earth falls on the moon
lunar eclipse
What is the Earth’s period of revolution?
365 days 1/4
why do we experience the seasons?
because of the Earth’s tilt on its axis as it orbits the sun. This tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of direct sunlight throughout the year, leading to changes in temperature and daylight hours.
We experience the seasons because of Earth’s axial tilt and the angles of its rotation. When the earth is tilted towards the sun, it is summer and when it rotates away from the sun, it is winter.
What hemisphere is experiencing the most direct energy from the sun on the first day of summer in Orchard Park?
northern hemisphere
units based on the average distance between earth and the sun. = 150,000,000 km
used to measure within our solar system
astronomical units
used to measure distances outside our solar system = 9.5 trillion km a year
light years
gather and focus light using lenses
-loss of clarity due to the interference of Earth’s atmosphere
optical telescopes
operate in space by a remote control
-observe space without the distortion caused by Earth’s atmosphere. digital signals are sent back and converted into pictures
space telescopes
vehicles capable of carrying humans to space
-apollo missions
-international space station
-orion
spacecraft
unmanned missions; explore space and gather scientific data
space probes
What is an advantage of a space telescope as opposed to a land based optical telescope?
Optical scopes use lenses and space scopes use a remote control. Space telescopes provide a clearer view on the electromagnetic spectrum that can be viewed with space telescopes.
