Details

Title: Astronomy Book Vocabulary

Description: Chapter 4/Section 4

Total Flash Cards: 11

Created: 12/14/2008 08:18:35

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Additional Astronomy Flashcards

Cards in this set:

Term
binary star
 Definition
a star system with two stars
Term
eclipsing binary
 Definition
a binary star system in which one star periodically blocks the light from the other
Term
open cluster
 Definition
a star cluster that has a loose, disorganized appearance and contains no more than a few thousand stars
Term
globular cluster
 Definition
a large, round, densely-packed grouping of older stars
Term
galaxy
 Definition
a huge group of single stars, star systems, star clusters, dust, and gas bound together by gravity
Term
spiral galaxy
 Definition
a galaxy with a bulge in the middle and arms that spiral outward in a pinwheel pattern
Term
elliptical galaxy
 Definition
a galaxy shaped like a round or flattened ball, generally containing only old stars
Term
irregular galaxy
 Definition
a galaxy that does not have a regular shape
Term
quasar
 Definition
an enormously bright, distant galaxy with a giant black hole at its center
Term
universe
 Definition
all of space and everything in it
Term
scientific notation
 Definition
a mathematical method of writing numbers using powers of ten