Module 3 Flashcards
(173 cards)
1
Q
What are the five planets easily visible with the naked eye?
A
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn
2
Q
Why is Mercury difficult to see?
A
It is close to the Sun and visible infrequently, just after sunset or before sunrise
3
Q
How can you identify Venus in the sky?
A
It often shines brightly in the early evening in the west or before dawn in the east
4
Q
What distinguishes Jupiter when it is visible at night?
A
It is the brightest object in the sky besides the Moon and Venus
5
Q
What color is Mars typically recognized by?
A
Reddish color
6
Q
What is one way to identify Saturn in the sky?
A
It is easy to see but many stars are just as bright, requiring knowledge of where to look
7
Q
What phenomenon makes planets appear to move westward through the zodiac?
A
Apparent retrograde motion
8
Q
Define retrograde motion.
A
The occasional backward motion of planets relative to the stars
9
Q
Why was planetary motion a mystery to ancient people?
A
They believed in an Earth-centered universe and could not explain why planets sometimes moved backward
10
Q
Who first suggested that Earth orbits the Sun?
A
Aristarchus of Samos
11
Q
What is stellar parallax?
A
An apparent shift in the position of a nearby star as viewed from different places in Earth’s orbit
12
Q
What led the Greeks to reject the heliocentric model?
A
Their inability to detect stellar parallax and belief that stars were on the same celestial sphere
13
Q
What did Aristarchus conclude about the distance of the stars?
A
That they were extremely far away
14
Q
What did Aristarchus estimate about the size of the Moon?
A
About one-third of Earth’s diameter
15
Q
What geometric argument did Aristarchus use to conclude the Sun is larger than Earth?
A
Based on measuring angles between the Moon and the Sun at first- and third-quarter phases
16
Q
What was Heracleides’ contribution to the understanding of planetary motion?
A
He suggested that Earth rotates and that Mercury and Venus orbit the Sun
17
Q
How did Copernicus contribute to the understanding of planetary motion?
A
He proposed a Sun-centered solar system that gained acceptance centuries after Aristarchus
18
Q
What is the significance of the ancient mystery of the planets?
A
It drove historical debate over Earth’s place in the universe and contributed to the scientific revolution
19
Q
Fill in the blank: The word ‘planet’ comes from a Greek term meaning _______.
A
wandering star
20
Q
True or False: The ancient Greeks accepted the heliocentric model immediately after it was proposed.
A
False
21
Q
What is the main reason the Greeks believed Earth was stationary?
A
They could not detect stellar parallax
22
Q
What role did imagination play in science according to Maria Mitchell?
A
It is essential; science is not just mathematics and logic but also involves beauty and poetry
23
Q
What principle does the baby learn about the behavior of objects in relation to gravity?
A
The principle ‘all things fall’ does not represent the whole truth.
24
Q
What is scientific thinking fundamentally about?
A
Learning about nature through careful observation and trial-and-error experiments.
25
What does modern science require for its development?
Painstaking attention to detail, relentless testing of information, and a willingness to give up old beliefs.
26
Why is astronomy considered the oldest of the sciences?
Its roots stretch deepest into antiquity.
27
What practical benefits did ancient cultures derive from astronomy?
* Timekeeping
* Tracking seasonal changes
* Navigation
28
How did some central African cultures predict rainfall patterns?
Through observations of the Moon's orientation.
29
What influences the length of our day?
The time it takes the Sun to make one full circuit of the sky.
30
What are the seven days of the week named after?
* The Sun
* The Moon
* Mercury
* Venus
* Mars
* Jupiter
* Saturn
31
How did ancient peoples tell time during the daytime?
By observing the Sun's path through the sky.
32
What ancient device did Egyptians use to tell time?
Sundials and obelisks.
33
What was the purpose of Egyptian star clocks?
To estimate the time of night by observing the positions of stars.
34
What did the Egyptians divide daytime and nighttime into?
12 equal parts each.
35
What replaced star clocks in ancient Egypt around 1500 B.C.?
Water clocks.
36
What is Stonehenge known for?
Serving as an astronomical device and a social/religious gathering place.
37
What does the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlán represent?
An astronomical structure aligned with seasonal events.
38
What is the significance of the Sun Dagger?
It produced patterns of light and shadow at different times of the year.
39
What is a solar calendar synchronized with?
The seasons.
40
What is the length of a basic lunar calendar?
354 or 355 days.
41
What is the Metonic cycle?
A pattern where lunar phases repeat on the same solar dates approximately every 19 years.
42
Why does the date of Easter change each year?
It is linked to the Jewish festival of Passover.
43
What ancient civilization began recording astronomical observations at least 5000 years ago?
The Chinese.
44
What type of evidence is used to study ancient astronomical achievements?
Physical evidence left behind by cultures.
45
What is archaeoastronomy?
A study that combines archaeology and astronomy to interpret ancient astronomical achievements
## Footnote
It involves piecing together information from physical evidence left behind by ancient cultures.
46
What are the Nazca lines?
Hundreds of lines and patterns etched in the sand of the Nazca desert in Peru, some of which align with astronomical events
## Footnote
Their purpose and meaning remain ambiguous, leading to various interpretations.
47
True or False: The Pawnee people's lodges feature holes for observing constellations.
True
## Footnote
This indicates a deliberate intent to align structures with celestial events.
48
What was the significance of the Inca Empire's rulers regarding astronomy?
They claimed descent from the Sun and demanded careful observation of celestial bodies
## Footnote
This suggests that astronomical alignments in Inca cities were intentional.
49
What role did Navigators play in Polynesian culture?
They were esteemed individuals who used astronomy and wave patterns for navigation among islands
## Footnote
Their skills have diminished with the advent of modern navigation technology.
50
What did ancient Greeks contribute to the development of modern science?
They moved understanding from mythological explanations to rational thought and used mathematics for precision
## Footnote
This contributed to the creation of scientific models.
51
Fill in the blank: Scientific models are ________ representations created to explain and predict observed phenomena.
[conceptual]
## Footnote
They differ from everyday models, which are often physical representations.
52
What was the Greek geocentric model?
A model that placed a spherical Earth at the center of the universe
## Footnote
It developed gradually and was foundational in the history of science.
53
Who was Aristotle?
A prominent ancient philosopher known for his studies in various fields, including biology and logic
## Footnote
His works significantly influenced later scientific thought, especially after being integrated into Christian theology.
54
What was Thales known for?
He was the first to ask what the universe is made of without supernatural explanations
## Footnote
His guess was that the universe consists of water and Earth is a flat disk.
55
What did Anaximander contribute to astronomy?
He proposed that Earth floats in empty space and introduced the idea of a celestial sphere
## Footnote
He imagined Earth as cylindrical rather than spherical.
56
Who popularized the idea of a spherical Earth?
Pythagoras
## Footnote
He and his followers viewed the sphere as a geometrically perfect shape.
57
What did Plato assert about heavenly objects?
He claimed they move in perfect circles at constant speeds and reside on huge spheres encircling Earth
## Footnote
This belief influenced astronomical models for centuries.
58
What did Aristotle use as evidence for a spherical Earth?
Observations of Earth's curved shadow on the Moon during lunar eclipses
## Footnote
This was one of the early pieces of evidence for Earth's roundness.
59
What was the Library of Alexandria?
An ancient center of research and knowledge housing up to half a million books
## Footnote
It played a crucial role in preserving Greek philosophical works.
60
What was the 'House of Wisdom'?
A center established in Baghdad where scholars translated and preserved ancient Greek works
## Footnote
It facilitated a synthesis of knowledge from various cultures.
61
True or False: The fall of Constantinople in 1453 led to the spread of knowledge to Western Europe.
True
## Footnote
Eastern scholars brought knowledge with them, aiding the European Renaissance.
62
What did the apparent retrograde motion of the planets indicate about their movement?
Planets do not move at constant speeds around Earth.
63
Who was the Greek scientist that first measured Earth's circumference?
Eratosthenes.
64
What model did Eudoxus create to explain celestial motion?
A model with the Sun, Moon, and planets each having their own nested spheres.
65
What was Aristotle's view of the celestial spheres?
He viewed them as transparent, interconnected objects, with Earth at the center.
66
What misconception exists regarding Columbus and the shape of the Earth?
The myth that Columbus was credited with discovering that Earth is round.
67
How did Eratosthenes estimate Earth's size?
By comparing the noon altitude of the Sun in two locations.
68
What is the Ptolemaic model?
A geocentric model that placed Earth at the center of the universe.
69
What concept did Ptolemy use to explain retrograde motion?
The idea of epicycles, where each planet moves on a small circle (epicycle) turning upon a larger circle (deferent).
70
Who is considered one of the greatest Greek astronomers whose work influenced Ptolemy?
Hipparchus.
71
What was the significance of Ptolemy's model for its time?
It could predict planetary positions to within a few degrees of arc.
72
What marked the beginning of the Copernican revolution?
The introduction of the Sun-centered model by Copernicus.
73
Who was Nicholas Copernicus?
A Polish scientist who proposed the heliocentric model of the universe.
74
What did Copernicus discover about the relationships of planets?
Simple geometric relationships that allowed calculations of orbital periods and distances.
75
What was a major flaw in Copernicus's model?
He believed heavenly motion occurred in perfect circles.
76
What was the title of Copernicus's influential book?
De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium.
77
True or False: The Copernican model was immediately accepted by scholars after its publication.
False.
78
Fill in the blank: Eratosthenes estimated Earth's circumference to be about _______ stadia.
250,000.
79
What did Ptolemy's book, when translated by Arabic scholars, become known as?
Almagest.
80
What was the primary reason Columbus struggled to find sponsors for his voyages?
He miscalculated the distance by sea from western Europe to eastern Asia.
81
Fill in the blank: The Greek unit of distance used by Eratosthenes was called a _______.
stadium.
82
What did the nested spheres model aim to reproduce?
The observed motions of the Sun, Moon, and planets.
83
What was the historical significance of the Copernican revolution?
It marked the origin of modern science.
84
85
Who was Tycho Brahe?
A Danish nobleman and astronomer known for his accurate astronomical observations.
86
What significant event occurred in 1563 regarding Tycho Brahe?
He observed an alignment of Jupiter and Saturn that occurred nearly 2 days later than Copernicus had predicted.
87
What did Tycho Brahe conclude about the nova he observed in 1572?
He concluded that the nova was much farther away than the Moon, contradicting the belief in unchanging heavens.
88
What was Tycho's model of planetary motion?
A model in which the Sun orbits Earth while all other planets orbit the Sun.
89
Who did Tycho Brahe hire in 1600?
Johannes Kepler.
90
What was Kepler's main discovery regarding planetary orbits?
Planetary orbits are ellipses, not circles.
91
What are the foci of an ellipse?
The two fixed points that define the shape of the ellipse.
92
What is Kepler's first law of planetary motion?
The orbit of each planet about the Sun is an ellipse with the Sun at one focus.
93
What are perihelion and aphelion?
Perihelion is the closest point to the Sun, and aphelion is the farthest point.
94
What is Kepler's second law of planetary motion?
A planet moves faster when nearer to the Sun and slower when farther, sweeping out equal areas in equal times.
95
What is Kepler's third law of planetary motion?
The square of a planet's orbital period is proportional to the cube of its average distance from the Sun.
96
What did Kepler speculate about the nature of planetary motion?
He suggested that planetary motion might be caused by a force from the Sun.
97
How did Galileo Galilei contribute to the Copernican revolution?
He provided evidence that refuted objections to the heliocentric model.
98
What experiment did Galileo perform to challenge Aristotle's view of motion?
He demonstrated that a moving object remains in motion unless acted upon by a force.
99
What did Galileo discover about the Moon?
He observed that the Moon has mountains and valleys, indicating it is not a perfect sphere.
100
What significant astronomical discovery did Galileo make regarding Jupiter?
He observed four moons orbiting Jupiter.
101
What did Galileo's observations of Venus indicate?
That Venus goes through phases, which can only be explained if it orbits the Sun.
102
What was the significance of Tycho Brahe's observations of comets?
They showed that comets were celestial phenomena, not atmospheric ones.
103
What was the angular accuracy of Tycho's observations?
Accurate to within less than 1 arcminute.
104
What did Kepler initially believe about planetary orbits before his key discovery?
He believed that they should be perfect circles.
105
What is the eccentricity of an ellipse?
A measure of how much an ellipse is stretched compared to a circle.
106
True or False: Kepler's laws of planetary motion were published in the 1600s.
True.
107
Fill in the blank: The average of a planet's perihelion and aphelion distances is the length of its _______.
semimajor axis.
108
What did Galileo observe that showed moons can orbit a moving planet?
Galileo observed moons orbiting Jupiter
## Footnote
This observation countered critics' claims about the Moon's ability to stay with a moving Earth.
109
What phenomenon observed by Galileo indicated that Venus orbits the Sun?
Phases of Venus
## Footnote
The phases of Venus can only be explained if it orbits the Sun and not Earth.
110
What significant event in 1631 provided convincing evidence for Kepler's laws?
Transit of Mercury across the Sun's face
## Footnote
This event was predicted successfully by Kepler's laws.
111
What was the stance of the Catholic Church regarding Galileo's claims?
The Church held Earth to be the center of the universe
## Footnote
Galileo was forced to recant his claim that Earth orbits the Sun.
112
What phrase is attributed to Galileo after he recanted his claim?
Eppur si muove
## Footnote
This translates to 'And yet it moves,' suggesting his belief in Earth's motion despite Church opposition.
113
What does orbital eccentricity describe?
How much a planet's orbit differs from a perfect circle
## Footnote
Eccentricity is defined using the distance from foci to the center and the length of the semimajor axis.
114
What is Earth's perihelion distance?
147.1 million kilometers
## Footnote
This is the distance when Earth is closest to the Sun.
115
What is Earth's aphelion distance?
152.1 million kilometers
## Footnote
This is the distance when Earth is farthest from the Sun.
116
When did the Church formally vindicate Galileo?
1992
## Footnote
However, the Church had already ceased opposition to the heliocentric model in 1757.
117
What is the formula for calculating a planet's orbital speed?
Speed = (2πa) / p
## Footnote
Where 'a' is the semimajor axis and 'p' is the orbital period.
118
What are the three basic hallmarks of science?
* Seeks explanations based on natural causes
* Progresses through model creation and testing
* Must make testable predictions
## Footnote
These characteristics help distinguish scientific approaches from nonscientific ones.
119
What is Occam's razor?
The preference for simpler models that explain observations equally well
## Footnote
Named after William of Occam, it emphasizes simplicity in scientific explanations.
120
What distinguishes verifiable observations in science?
They can be confirmed by anyone
## Footnote
Unlike personal testimonials that cannot be independently verified, such as UFO sightings.
121
What was Copernicus's main contribution to astronomy?
Proposing that Earth orbits the Sun
## Footnote
This idea challenged the prevailing Earth-centered view of the universe.
122
What did Kepler's third law describe?
The relationship between a planet's orbital period and its distance from the Sun
## Footnote
It applies broadly to objects orbiting the Sun or similar stars.
123
What is the average distance of Ceres from the Sun?
2.77 AU
## Footnote
This distance allows the application of Kepler's third law to determine its orbital period.
124
What is the orbital period of a planet that orbits its star every 3 months?
0.4 AU
## Footnote
This distance is determined using Kepler's third law with the orbital period converted to years.
125
What is a key difference between verifying scientific claims and eyewitness accounts of UFOs?
Scientific claims can be tested and verified, while UFO eyewitness accounts lack hard evidence for verification.
126
Why is eyewitness testimony often considered unreliable in scientific studies?
Eyewitnesses frequently disagree on what they saw, and memories can change over time, leading to inaccuracies.
127
What is pseudoscience?
Pseudoscience refers to claims that seem based on observational evidence but do not adhere to scientific methods.
128
What are the three hallmarks of science?
* Testable predictions
* Evidence-based conclusions
* Reproducibility of results
129
What does the phrase 'Eppur si muove' translate to in English?
And yet it moves.
130
Who provided the first direct proof of Earth's rotation?
Jean Foucault in 1851.
131
What phenomenon is responsible for the apparent twisting of a pendulum due to Earth's rotation?
Foucault's pendulum.
132
What effect describes the deviation of objects moving long distances on Earth due to its rotation?
Coriolis effect.
133
Who first discovered the aberration of starlight?
James Bradley.
134
What is the significance of stellar parallax in astronomy?
It provides direct proof that Earth orbits the Sun.
135
True or False: The spring equinox is the only day on which you can balance an egg on its end.
False.
136
What is the basic premise behind deductive reasoning?
The conclusion follows automatically from the premises.
137
What type of argument uses specific facts to generalize a broader conclusion?
Inductive argument.
138
What distinguishes a scientific theory from a hypothesis?
A scientific theory is supported by a large body of evidence and has survived repeated testing.
139
What is an example of a scientific theory?
* Newton's theory of gravity
* Darwin's theory of evolution
* Einstein's theory of relativity
140
What is the difference in meaning between 'theory' in everyday language and in scientific context?
In science, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation, while in everyday language it often refers to a guess.
141
What happens if a scientific theory fails a new test?
A replacement theory must explain past results and the new observations.
142
What is a paradigm in the context of science?
A generally accepted pattern of thought within the scientific community.
143
What can influence individual scientists despite the objectivity of science?
Personal biases and beliefs.
144
Fill in the blank: In science, we attempt to acquire knowledge through _______.
logical reasoning.
145
What must all scientific claims be based on to be considered valid?
Testable evidence.
146
What is the broader theory of gravity that we now view compared to Newton's theory?
Einstein's theory of gravity
## Footnote
Einstein's theory explains the successes of Newton's theory while also addressing new realms.
147
What is the basic tenet of astrology?
The apparent positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets influence human events
## Footnote
This idea stems from the observable effects of the Sun and Moon on Earth.
148
How did ancient astrologers attempt to predict human events?
By charting the skies and seeking correlations with events on Earth
## Footnote
They believed positions of celestial bodies could forecast events.
149
Who published a foundational treatise on astrology called Tetrabiblios?
Ptolemy
## Footnote
Ptolemy recognized astrology's shakier foundation compared to astronomy.
150
What extraordinary claim did Aristarchus make in the 3rd century B.C.?
That Earth orbits the Sun
## Footnote
This was contrary to the common belief of a geocentric model at the time.
151
What is the significance of the phrase 'extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence'?
It highlights the need for strong evidence to support unconventional scientific ideas
## Footnote
Carl Sagan popularized this phrase in relation to scientific claims.
152
What was Kepler's view on astrology?
He referred to it as 'the foolish stepdaughter of astronomy' and 'a dreadful superstition'
## Footnote
Despite casting horoscopes for income, his scientific work contradicted astrology.
153
Does astrology have scientific validity?
No, scientific tests have shown astrological predictions are not significantly more accurate than chance
## Footnote
Astrologers' predictions often fail to match real-life outcomes.
154
What is a common characteristic of horoscopes that makes them difficult to test?
They often provide vague guidance rather than specific predictions
## Footnote
For example, a horoscope may say 'it's a good day to spend time with friends'.
155
How do constellations relate to astrology?
Constellations are apparent associations of stars with no physical reality
## Footnote
The stars in constellations do not have a meaningful connection to one another.
156
What historical role did astrology play in the development of astronomy?
Astrology and astronomy were often practiced together, with astrologers advising political leaders
## Footnote
Support from political leaders facilitated advancements in astronomy.
157
How did scientific understanding of the solar system change over time?
The heliocentric model was eventually accepted, showing Earth orbits the Sun
## Footnote
This shift ended the link between astronomy and astrology.
158
What is the primary method for testing the validity of astrology?
Comparing the accuracy of horoscopes to what would be expected by pure chance
## Footnote
This involves evaluating predictions against actual outcomes.
159
What did Kepler and Galileo's discoveries signify for astrology?
They marked the end of the linkage between astronomy and astrology
## Footnote
Their work established astronomy as a science while astrology lost credibility.
160
What is one reason astrology may seem credible to the public despite lacking scientific support?
Many people find horoscopes personally resonant or relatable
## Footnote
This perception can lead to a belief in astrology's validity.
161
What was the Copernican revolution?
The shift from an Earth-centered to a Sun-centered model of the universe
## Footnote
This revolution laid the groundwork for modern astronomy.
162
What distinguishes scientific thinking from nonscience?
Scientific thinking relies on careful observation and trial-and-error testing
## Footnote
This organized approach facilitates the learning and sharing of knowledge.
163
What did the Greeks emphasize in their models of nature?
The importance of agreement between the predictions of those models and observations of nature.
164
How did the Greeks explain planetary motion?
Through the Ptolemaic model, which explained apparent retrograde motion with planets moving on small circles whose centers move around Earth on larger circles.
165
What model did Copernicus create to replace the Ptolemaic model?
A Sun-centered model of the solar system.
166
What was a limitation of Copernicus's model?
It was no more accurate than Ptolemy’s because it still used perfect circles.
167
What contribution did Tycho make to planetary motion models?
Accurate, naked-eye observations that provided data needed to improve on Copernicus’s model.
168
What are Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion?
1. The orbit of each planet is an ellipse with the Sun at one focus.
2. A planet moves faster in the part of its orbit nearer the Sun and slower when farther from the Sun, sweeping out equal areas in equal times.
3. More distant planets orbit the Sun at slower average speeds.
169
How did Galileo contribute to the Copernican revolution?
His experiments and telescopic observations overcame objections to the Copernican idea of Earth as a planet orbiting the Sun.
170
What are the three hallmarks that distinguish science from nonscience?
1. Seeks explanations for observed phenomena relying on natural causes.
2. Progresses through creating and testing models of nature.
3. Models must make testable predictions about natural phenomena.
171
What is a scientific theory?
A simple yet powerful model that explains a wide variety of observations using a few general principles and has been verified by repeated testing.
172
How is astrology different from astronomy?
Astronomy is a modern science that has taught us about the universe, while astrology searches for hidden influences on human lives based on the positions of planets and stars.
173
Does astrology have any scientific validity?
No, scientific tests show that astrological predictions do not prove accurate more than expected by chance.
